E9-26922. Solicitation of Nominations for Members of the USDA Grain Inspection Advisory Committee

AGENCY:

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, USDA.

ACTION:

Notice to solicit nominees.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) is seeking nominations for individuals to serve on the USDA Grain Inspection Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee). The Advisory Committee meets twice annually to advise GIPSA on the programs and services it delivers under the U.S. Grain Standards Act (USGSA). Recommendations by the Advisory Committee help GIPSA better meet the needs of its customers who operate in a dynamic and changing marketplace.

DATES:

GIPSA will consider nominations received by January 11, 2010.

ADDRESSES:

Submit nominations for the Advisory Committee by completing form AD-755. Nominations may be submitted by:

• E-Mail: [e-mail].
• Mail: Terri Henry, GIPSA, USDA, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Room 1633-S, Stop 3642, Washington, DC 20250-3642.
• Fax: [phone].
• Hand Delivery or Courier: Terri Henry, GIPSA, USDA, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Room 1633-S, Stop 3642, Washington, DC 20250-3642.
• Internet: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Terri L. Henry, telephone [phone] or e-mail [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

As required by section 21 of the USGSA (7 U.S.C. 87j), as amended, the Secretary of Agriculture established the Grain Inspection Advisory Committee on September 29, 1981, to provide advice to the GIPSA Administrator on implementation of the USGSA. The current authority for the Advisory Committee expires on September 30, 2015. As specified in the USGSA, each member's term is 3 years and no member may serve successive terms.

The Advisory Committee consists of 15 members, appointed by the Secretary, who represent the interests of grain producers, processors, handlers, merchandisers, consumers, exporters, and scientists with expertise in research related to the policies in section 2 of the USGSA (7 U.S.C. 74). Members of the Advisory Committee serve without compensation. USDA may reimburse members for travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, for travel away from their homes or regular places of business in performance of Advisory Committee service (see 5 U.S.C. 5703).

A list of current Advisory Committee members and other relevant information are available on the GIPSA Web site at http://www.gipsa.usda.gov. Under the section “I Want To * * *” select “Learn about the Advisory Committee.”

GIPSA is seeking nominations for individuals to serve on the Advisory Committee to replace five members and eight alternate members whose terms will expire in March 2010.

Persons interested in serving on the Advisory Committee or nominating another individual to serve, may contact: Terri L. Henry by telephone at 202-205-8281, by fax at 202-690-2173, or by electronic mail at [e-mail] to request Form AD-755. Form AD-755 may also be obtained via GIPSA's Web site at: http://www.gipsa.usda.gov. Under the section “I Want To * * *” select “Learn about the Advisory Committee,” then select Form—AD-755. Nominations are open to all individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, marital status, or sexual orientation. To ensure that recommendations of the Advisory Committee take into account the needs of the diverse groups served by the USDA, membership shall include, to the extent practicable, individuals with demonstrated ability to represent minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.

The final selection of Advisory Committee members and alternates is made by the Secretary of Agriculture.

J. Dudley Butler,

Administrator, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration.