2011-20121. Notice of the Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture Meeting

AGENCY:

Office of the Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics, Agricultural Research Service.

ACTION:

Notice of meeting.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App., the United States Department of Agriculture announces a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture (AC21).

DATES:

August 30-31, 2011.

ADDRESSES:

Rooms 104A and 107A, USDA Jamie L. Whitten Federal Building, 12th Street and Jefferson Drive, SW., Washington, DC 20250.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Michael Schechtman, Designated Federal Official, Office of the Deputy Secretary, USDA, 202B Jamie L. Whitten Federal Building, 12th and Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250; Telephone [phone]; Fax [phone]; E-mail [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The first meeting of the reconstituted AC21 has been scheduled for August 30-31, 2011. The AC21 consists of members representing the biotechnology industry, the organic food industry, farming communities, the seed industry, food manufacturers, state government, consumer and community development groups, as well as academic researchers and a medical doctor. In addition, representatives from the Departments of Commerce, Health and Human Services, and State, and the Environmental Protection Agency, the Council on Environmental Quality, and the Office of the United States Trade Representative have been invited to serve as “ex officio” members. The Committee meeting will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on each day. The topics to be discussed will include: (1) Rules of procedure for the AC21; (2) assessment of informational needs of AC21 members; (3) organization of the AC21's work in developing practical recommendations on approaches for bolstering coexistence among different agricultural production methods; and (4) preliminary presentations and introductory discussions on above work topic.

Background information regarding the work and membership of the AC21 will be made available on the USDA Web site at http://www.usda.gov/​wps/​portal/​usda/​usdahome?​contentid=​AC21Main.xml&​contentidonly=​true. Members of the public who wish to make oral statements should also inform Dr. Schechtman in writing or via e-mail at the indicated addresses at least three business days before the meeting. On August 30, 2011, if time permits, reasonable provision will be made for oral presentations of no more than five minutes each in duration.

The meeting will be open to the public, but space is limited. If you would like to attend the meetings, you must register by contacting Ms. Dianne Fowler at [phone], by fax at [phone] or by e-mail at [e-mail] at least 7 days prior to the meeting. Please provide your name, title, business affiliation, address, telephone, and fax number when you register. If you are a person with a disability and request reasonable accommodations to participate in this meeting, please note the request in your registration. All reasonable accommodation requests are managed on a case by case basis.

Dated: July 29, 2011.

Catherine E. Woteki,

Under Secretary, Research, Education and Economics.