To provide guidelines for the procedures of , and the participation in, public hearing meetings conducted by the National Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production (NCIFAP). A “public meeting” is one component of the investigation by the NCIFAP of the public health, environmental, rural community viability, and animal welfare consequences of the food animal production model commonly known as intensive or confined animal feeding operations. The Commission will attempt to accommodate all those who believe they have an interest in the issues before the Commission and who wish to make an oral public statement. The exact time allotted by the Chairman of the Commission for each presentation will depend, in part, on the number of individuals seeking to make a statement. Written statements of extended length may be submitted to the Commission for consideration as well. The Commission requests that statements be submitted at least one week in advance of the hearing. Written statements may be submitted via e-mail using addresses listed on the Commission’s website or via the Postal Service at the address listed on the website. Persons interested in submitted oral statements to the Commission may sign up on the Commission’s website, www.ncifap.org , by faxing their request to the NCIFAP at 202-223-3947, or by written request to NCIFAP, 1900 L. Street, NW, Ste. 312, Washington, D.C. 20036, until one week before the public hearing. Oral statements will be limited to five minutes, but interested parties may submit written material of any length they desire. Advance sign-up will close one week in advance of the date of the public meeting to permit Commissioners and staff to allocate sufficient time in the public meeting for interested parties to make statements. People also may sign up the day of the hearing at the hearing location. Persons signing up the day of the meeting will have three minutes for their oral statements and may submit written material of any length. Sign-in sheets will be provided before the start of the meeting. Everyone attending the meeting will sign in, printing their name, organization, and contact information. Those persons who sign up the day of and wish to speak should indicate their interest in speaking by checking the appropriate area on the sign-in sheet. The Chairman of the Commission will announce presenters from the sign-in sheet. When called, presenters should approach the podium and introduce themselves, including who they represent and give appropriate contact information. Comments should be directed to the Commissioners, not to members of the audience. Courteous attention should be given to other speakers, regardless of their views. Applause or other methods of showing pleasure or displeasure with speakers is not permitted. Only Commission members may ask questions of presenters. Anyone disrupting the Commission proceedings will be asked to leave.
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