[40 Pa.B. 12]
[Saturday, January 2, 2010]PART I. GOVERNOR'S OFFICE [ 4 PA. CODE CH. 6 ] [ EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 2008-09 AS AMENDED ] Governor's Food Safety Council August 26, 2009
Whereas, the safety and security of the food supply produced and consumed in the Commonwealth is a critical concern for the well-being of Pennsylvania's 12.5 million citizens and their uninterrupted access to a safe, abundant and affordable food supply; and
Whereas, the stability of the Commonwealth's number one economic enterprise is at stake when threats are made to the food, fuel, and fiber system, as it accounts for $46.4 billion and supplies more than one million jobs in Pennsylvania; and
Whereas, recognizing that the food supply continuum is comprised of many components and stages from farm-based production to ultimate consumption; and
Whereas, there is an increased need for collaboration, planning, prevention, and response from numerous governmental agencies, including the Department of Agriculture, Department of Health and agencies directly linked to the public health and emergency response initiatives; and
Whereas, threats to the food system are comprised of both naturally occurring pathogens and intentionally introduced agents and establishing food safety is a critical security issue; and
Whereas, it has been determined that the Governor and the Commonwealth would benefit from the advice and counsel of an official representative body of food and health safety managers, emergency response community members, policy makers, food producers, food processors, food retailers, and agribusiness organizations focused on food safety, and defense protocols and processes across all points of the food production spectrum.
Now, Therefore, I, Edward G. Rendell, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and other laws, do hereby establish the Governor's Food Safety Council (hereinafter referred to as the ''Council'') as hereinafter set forth.
Governor
Fiscal Note: 2009-06. No fiscal impact; (8) recommends adoption.
Annex A TITLE 4. ADMINISTRATION PART I. GOVERNOR'S OFFICE CHAPTER 6. ADDITIONAL COUNCILS AND COMMITTEES Subchapter EE. GOVERNOR'S FOOD SAFETY COUNCIL § 6.385. Composition.
The Governor's Food Safety Council (Council) shall consist of the following members:
(1) The following agency heads of the commonwealth, or their designees who serve in positions related to the safety and security of the food supply:
(i) The Secretary of Agriculture, who will serve as Co-Chairperson of the Council.
(ii) The Secretary of Health, who will serve as Co-Chairperson of the Council.
(iii) The Director of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.
(iv) The Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police.
(2) The Majority and Minority Chairpersons of the Senate of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania House of Representatives' Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committees, or their designees.
(3) Additional members of the public representing the agriculture and food production sectors as well as the public health and emergency management communities. The members of the public will be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor. A member of the public appointed to the Council under this subsection may have a designee act on the member's behalf, if the member first provides the Chairperson a copy of the member's written designation authorizing the designee to so act. These members will include:
(i) Two members representing Local/Act 315 Health Departments.
(ii) Three academic members, one of whom shall represent the Agricultural Law Resource and Reference Center.
(iii) Two retail sector members, represented by the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association and the Pennsylvania Restaurant Association.
(iv) Two processing sector members.
(v) Four agricultural producers representing organic, animal, vegetable and fruit production.
(vi) One food animal veterinarian.
(vii) Two members representing general agricultural organizations in Pennsylvania.
(viii) Two members representing the ports and transportation sector in Pennsylvania, one of whom shall serve as the liaison to the Port of Philadelphia.
(ix) Two at-large members.
(4) Serving as liaisons to the Council will be representatives of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; United States Department of Agriculture; Center for Disease Control; and the Food and Drug Administration.
§ 6.384. Terms of membership.
The 20 members of the public representing the agriculture and food industry and the public health and emergency response communities will be appointed for terms of 2 years and will continue to serve thereafter until their successors have been appointed. The Governor will fill vacancies that may occur and may remove any member from the Governor's Food Safety Council at his discretion.
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 10-3. Filed for public inspection December 31, 2009, 9:00 a.m.]
