[Federal Register: August 19, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 160)] [Notices] [Page 45227-45228] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr19au99-38] ======================================================================== Notices Federal Register ________________________________________________________________________ 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 statements of organization and functions are examples of documents appearing in this section. ======================================================================== [[Page 45227]] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 [[Page 45228]] 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