DEPARTMENTAL REGULATION

Number:

1042-123

SUBJECT:

ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON EMERGING MARKETS

DATE:

October 25, 2006

OPI:

Foreign Agricultural Service

1 PURPOSE

Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (5 U.S.C. App.) and the responsibilities of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to implement Section 1542(d)(1) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (FACT Act), as amended, this regulation re-establishes the Advisory Committee on Emerging Markets. The purpose of the Committee is to provide information and advice, based upon the knowledge and expertise of the members, useful to USDA in implementing a program to provide technical assistance and share U.S. agricultural expertise with emerging markets. The Committee will also advise USDA on ways to increase the involvement of the U.S. private sector in cooperative work with emerging markets in food and rural business systems.

2 SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS/CANCELLATIONS

a This regulation will expire 2 years from the date of filing.

b Departmental Regulation No. 1042-123, dated June 2, 2004,is hereby superseded.

3 OFFICERS AND MEMBERSHIP

a The Committee will consist of no more than 20 members who are representative of the U.S. food and rural business community. To ensure a balance of views and experience, the Committee members will be selected from a cross section of U.S. food and rural business systems communities. Consideration will be given to field of expertise, geographic, and institutional distribution.

b The members of the Committee shall be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture and serve at his discretion.

c There will be two Co-chairpersons of the Committee. One Co-chairperson will be the Deputy Administrator for Commodity and Marketing Programs, Foreign Agricultural Service, or his/her designee. The other Co-chairperson will be selected by the members of the Committee. The Designated Federal Official shall be appointed from the Foreign Agricultural Service.

d The Committee may establish such subcommittees as may be necessary subject to the provisions of FACA and the approval of the Co-chairpersons or designees.

e Equal opportunity practices, consistent with USDA policies, will be followed in all appointments to the Committee. To ensure that the recommendations of the Committee have taken into account the needs of the diverse groups served by the Department, membership should include to the extent practicable, individuals with demonstrated ability representing minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.

4 DUTIES

The Advisory Committee will:

a Provide information and advice on development of strategies and design of programs to enhance market development in emerging markets;

b Assist in determining priority areas for cooperation with emerging markets;

c Review and advise on qualified proposals submitted to the Emerging Markets Program for funding assistance;

d Recommend representatives from private industry for participation on teams of experts as needed;

e Assist in developing and making arrangements for suitable programs for visits of teams of experts from emerging markets to the United States as needed;

f Assist in disseminating through relevant private industry channels FAS’s funding decisions on the Emerging Markets Program, and the results of any team visits and assessments;

g Perform other advisory functions as requested by the Secretary of Agriculture.

5 ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISION

a Members of the Committee shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for travel and per diem expenses which are incurred in carrying out the duties and responsibilities of the Committee in accordance with USDA travel regulations.

b Annual operating costs are estimated to be $33,000 for fiscal year 2006, and $33,000 for fiscal year 2007, including one-fourth staff support year and travel and per diem expenses for official travel of Committee members.

6 NUMBER AND FREQUENCY OF MEETINGS

a The Committee shall meet at the call of the Secretary of Agriculture through the Co-chairpersons. The Committee shall not meet in the absence of the Co-chairpersons or their designees. The Deputy Administrator or the Designated Federal Official may adjourn a meeting when such is in the public interest or whenever he or she deems necessary.

b It is anticipated that the Committee will meet once or twice annually, more often should the Co-chairpersons deem it necessary.

c The Designated Federal Official shall be responsible for the prior approval of the agenda for all full Committee meetings.

7 REPORT/STAFF SUPPORT

a The Committee will report to the Secretary of Agriculture through the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services.

b Staff support for the Committee will be provided by FAS.

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