Agenda Set for First-Ever Import Safety Summit

June 26, 2008 Washington – The agenda for the first-ever Import Safety Summit will see a who’s who of industry leaders from a cross-section of business discuss challenges presented by the global economy and highlight solutions that are working to keep American consumers safe.

The event will include a panel discussion hosted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), Michael Leavitt.  The leaders will address the importance of maintaining a high level of assurance in the overall safety of imported products and will feature Red Lobster President, Kim Lopdrup; Toys R’ Us President & CEO, Gerald Storch; Wal-Mart Senior VP & General Counsel, John P. Suarez and others.

“To have this level of participation --- from the variety of businesses to the high level of company leadership --- shows how significant this event is,” said National Fisheries Institute (NFI) President John Connelly. “With the Secretary’s participation we have a genuine opportunity to discuss ways to strengthen public-private partnerships with a focus on import safety.”

Other industry panels will focus on standards and certifications, medical products, consumer products, and food.

Co-sponsors of the summit include the following: American National Standards Institute; Biotechnology Industry Organization; Consumer Healthcare Products Association; Food Marketing Institute; Generic Pharmaceutical Association; Grocery Manufacturers Association; Healthcare Distribution Management Association; National Fisheries Institute; National Restaurant Association; Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America; Retail Industry Leaders Association; and Toy Industry Association™, Inc.

For more than 60 years, the National Fisheries Institute (NFI) and its members have provided American families with the variety of sustainable seafood essential to a healthy diet. For more information visit: www.AboutSeafood.com. 

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