[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 108 (Monday, June 7, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30297-30298]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-14308]
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Notices
Federal Register
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This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
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Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 108 / Monday, June 7, 1999 /
Notices
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Office of the Secretary
Advisory Committee on Agricultural Biotechnology
AGENCY: Research, Education, and Economics, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to establish the Advisory Committee on
Agricultural Biotechnology
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Agriculture proposes to establish the
Advisory Committee on Agricultural Biotechnology (ACAB). The Secretary
of Agriculture is requesting nominations for qualified persons to serve
as members of the ACAB.
DATES: Written nominations must be received on or before July 7, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Nominations should be sent to Michael Schechtman, Designated
Federal Official, Office of the Deputy Secretary, USDA, 202B Jamie L.
Whitten Federal Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington,
DC 20250.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Schechtman, Designated Federal
Official, telephone (202) 720-3817; fax (202) 690-4265; email
michael.g.schechtman@usda.gov. To obtain form AD-755 ONLY please
contact Dianne Harmon, Office of Pest Management Policy, telephone
(202) 720-4074, fax (202) 720-3191; email dharmon@ars.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Advisory Committee Purpose
The Secretary of Agriculture is establishing the Advisory Committee
on Agricultural Biotechnology (ACAB) to advise the Secretary of
Agriculture on the broad array of issues related to the expanding
dimensions and importance of agricultural biotechnology. USDA has
complex and crucial roles in protecting public health and safety, the
natural environment, and a competitive, vibrant, and diverse farm
economy; ensuring the quality and availability of our food and fiber
supply; and maintaining the competitive position of American
agricultural products in the international marketplace. These topics
are of critical concern in the conduct of agricultural biotechnology
research, regulation, and commercialization. Some of the topics that
the Secretary of Agriculture has identified for the ACAB's initial
consideration include: effects of industry concentration and
consolidation on farmers; intellectual property rights and grower
autonomy; effects of biotechnology on small farmers; ways to maximize
or encourage potential benefits of biotechnology in different
agricultural sectors; and USDA's role in assuring that farmers have an
array of choices for future agricultural technology and practices. The
ACAB will meet in Washington, DC, up to four (4) times per year.
Task Force Membership
The ACAB will consist of 25 members of whom no more than five (5)
will be federal employees. Members of ACAB should have recognized
expertise in one or more of the following areas: Recombinant-DNA (rDNA)
research and applications using plants; rDNA research and applications
using animals; rDNA research and applications using microbes; food
science; silviculture and related forest science; fisheries science;
ecology; veterinary medicine; the broad range of farming or
agricultural practices; weed science; plant pathology; small farm
advocacy; biodiversity issues; applicable laws and regulations relevant
to agricultural biotechnology policy; risk assessment; consumer
advocacy and public attitudes; public health/epidemiology; occupational
health; ethics, including bioethics; human medicine; biotechnology
industry activities and structure; intellectual property rights
systems; and international trade. Members will be selected by the
Secretary of Agriculture in order to achieve a balanced representation
of viewpoints to address effectively USDA biotechnology policy issues
under consideration.
Nominations for ACAB membership must be in writing and provide the
appropriate background documents required by USDA policy, including
background disclosure form AD-755. Neither the form nor the information
it contains may be released to the public, except under an order issued
by a Federal court or as otherwise provided under the Privacy Act (5
U.S.C.552a).
No member may serve on the ACAB for more than three (3) consecutive
terms. Nominees will initially serve for terms of 1 or 2 years for
purposes of continuity.
Members of the ACAB and its subcommittees shall serve without pay,
but with reimbursement of travel expenses and per diem for attendance
at ACAB and subcommittee functions for those ACAB members who require
assistance in order to attend the meetings. While away from home or
their regular place of business, those members will be eligible for
travel expenses paid by REE, USDA, including per diem in lieu of
subsistence, at the same rate as a person employed intermittently in
the government service is allowed under section 5703 of Title 5, United
States Code.
Submitting Nominations
Nominations should be typed and include the following:
1. A brief summary of no more than two (2) pages explaining the
nominees suitability to serve on the ACAB.
2. A resume or curriculum vitae.
3. A completed copy of form AD-755.
Nominations should be sent to Michael Schechtman at the address listed
above, and be post marked no later than July 7, 1999.
USDA is actively soliciting nominations of qualified minorities,
women, persons with disabilities and members of low income populations
through outreach to minority-focused media outlets, Historically Black
Colleges and Universities, including Clark Atlanta University, the
Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, the National
Congress of Native American Indians, the Intertribal Agriculture
Council, Gallaudet and Purdue Universities, and the Rural Coalition. To
ensure that recommendations of the ACAB take into account the needs of
underserved and diverse communities served by the USDA, membership
shall include, to the extent practicable, individuals with demonstrated
ability to represent
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minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.
I.M. Gonzalez,
Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics.
[FR Doc. 99-14308 Filed 6-4-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-03-P
