INDUSTRY CONFERENCE ON SWINE/CATTLE BACKTAGS AND CEMENT SNote -- The USDA, Veterinary Service (VS) and the Field Servicing Office (FSO), will be hosting a conference on May 28, 1997 in Kansas City, Missouri. The purpose of the meeting will be to explore options to improve our current ordering and warehousing processes of backtags and backtag cement both in the areas of cattle and swine. The conference to discuss swine/cattle backtags will be held in the morning from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon, with the afternoon from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m., reserved to discuss the cement. The conference is open industry wide for information and planning purposes. The information gathered at the conference will be considered for future contracts. We hope to learn more about the vendors capability to produce and ship in variable quantities to multiple destinations throughout the United States within 2 days after receipt of an order. Current specifications for both of these contracts are available upon request and will also be available at the conference. The conferencewill be held by USDA, APHIS, FSO, National Logistics Support Center, Conference Room C, 1510 East Bannister Road, Bldg. 1, Kansas City, Missouri 64131 at 8:00 a.m., central standard time. This is a secured facility where identification is required and any industry representative will be escorted to the meeting room. Please contact Richard Patterson for directions to the facility and upon arrival at the building. He may be reached at 816/926-1629. A written confirmation is required by May 19, 1997 to the attention of Patricia Harris at 612/370-2106. This written confirmation shall include the name(s) and telephone number(s)of company representative(s) that will attend. Industry representatives attending the meeting are responsible for their own hotel accommodations. A block of rooms will be reserved on a first come first served basis. If you have any questions Ms. Harris can be reached at 612/370-2128. E-MAIL: smtp:pharris, smtp:pharris@aphis.usda.gov.

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