[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 160 (Thursday, August 19, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45227-45228]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-21477]
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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
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
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Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 160 / Thursday, August 19, 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; request for nominations and
comments.
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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 September 3,
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
encourages and supports the responsible development and utilization of
beneficial new agricultural products, including those produced through
biotechnology, and assures the safety of new products with a science
based regulatory approach. 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 be made up of United States citizens. It 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 September 3, 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
under-served and
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diverse communities served by the USDA, membership shall include, to
the extent practicable, individuals with demonstrated ability to
represent minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.
Dated: August 12, 1999.
I.M. Gonzalez,
Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics.
[FR Doc. 99-21477 Filed 8-18-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-03-P
