Press Releases 04~05

Seminar on Complying with U.S. Bioterrorism Regulations on Food Exports to Be Held in Seoul

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) is holding a seminar for the Korean food industry called "Complying with the New U.S. Bioterrorism Regulations - What You Need to Know." The seminar will be April 23, 2004, in the Grand Ballroom (5F) of the JW Marriott Hotel, #19 Banpo-dong, Seochogu, Seoul, from 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

This seminar will be cosponsored by the Korean Food and Drug Administration, the Korean Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and the Agricultural and Fishery Marketing Corporation. The seminar in Seoul is one of four seminars that USFDA is planning to hold in Asia. It is part of an ongoing effort to familiarize any Korean companies involved in manufacturing, processing, packing, holding, transporting and exporting food to the United States with the facts and implications of the new U.S. bioterrorism regulations.

The USFDA delegation will include:

Louis J. Carson, Deputy Director, Food Safety and Security
Max Castillo, Regulatory Officer, Office of Regulatory Affairs
Camille Brewer, International Activities Coordinator for Food Safety and Security
Diane Schmit, Project Manager for Scientific Web Development, Computer Technology Services

Officials from the U.S. Embassy's Agricultural Affairs Office will also be on hand to help address Korea-specific concerns.

There is no admission charge for the event; however, attendance will be limited to about 300 registrants. To register, please send an email to agaff@kornet.net (Tel: 02-397-4357) with the names, phone numbers, and corporations of the attendees, and an email address for each attendee.

Members of the media wishing cover the event should also register following the above instructions.

Press inquiries can be made to the U.S. Embassy Press Office at 02-397-4637.

Background Information On The Seminar

USFDA is sponsoring this seminar and the Agricultural Affairs Office of the U.S. Embassy is arranging the seminar in Seoul. The seminar will provide practical information on how to comply with the new U.S. regulations affecting food safety and security developed under the U.S. Public Health and Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness Response Act of 2002.

The seminar will focus on new Bioterrorism regulations affecting exports of foods to the United States. Korean participants will have the opportunity to discuss the new regulations on Registration of Food Facilities and Prior Notice of Imported Food Shipments with key representatives from USFDA and US Customs. The regulations on Recordkeeping and Administrative Detention will be discussed if the interim final rules have been published by the time of the seminar.

This event is open to all interested parties including Korean food export manufacturers, processors, holders, transporters, filers and brokers. Additionally, government officials, members of the media, and food export industry association representatives involved are welcome to attend.

More information about the Bioterrorism Preparedness Response Act of 2002 and USFDA can be found at http://www.fda.gov/oc/bioterrorism/bioact.html.