[Federal Register: August 22, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 163)]
[Notices]
[Page 50742-50743]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22au03-35]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Office of the Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics
Notice of the Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st
Century Agriculture Meeting
AGENCY: Agricultural Research Service.
ACTION: Notice of Meeting.
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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: September 15-16, 2003, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.
ADDRESSES: The Meeting will take place at the Waugh Auditorium, USDA
Economic Research Service, Third Floor, South Tower, 1800 M St., NW.,
Washington, DC 20036. Members of the public wishing to make oral
statements should send request, in writing or by e-mail, to the contact
person identified herein. Written requests may be sent to the contact
person at: USDA, Office of the Deputy Secretary, 202B Jamie L. Whitten
Federal Building, 12th and
[[Page 50743]]
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250. Request should be
received at least 3 business days before the meeting.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Schechtman, Designated Federal
Official, Office of the Deputy Secretary, Telephone (202) 720-3817; Fax
(202) 690-4265; e-mail mschechtman@ars.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The second meeting of the AC21 has been
scheduled for September 15-16, 2003. The AC21 consists of 18 members
representing the biotechnology industry, the seed industry,
international plant genetics research, farmers, food manufacturers,
commodity processors and shippers, environmental and consumer groups,
along with academic researchers including a bioethicist. 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 serve as ``ex officio'' members. The Committee
meeting will be held from 8:30 am to 5 p.m. on each day. The topics to
be discussed will include: (1) Approval of a framework for the AC21's
main report; (2) review of a draft outline for the introduction to that
report; (3) development of a plan for the preparation of the report and
organization of work groups; and (4) continuation of discussion on
impacts of biotechnology along the overall food production and
distribution system, focusing on potential impacts of new value-added
biotechnology products with direct consumer benefits.
Background information regarding the work of the AC21 will be
available on the USDA Web site at http://www.usda.gov/agencies/biotech/ac21.html.
On September 15, 2003, 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 Harmon at (202) 720-4074, by fax at (202) 720-
3191 or by e-mail at dharmon@ars.usda.gov at least 5 days prior to the
meeting. Please provide your name, title, business affiliation,
address, telephone, and fax number when you register. If you require a
sign language interpreter or other special accommodation due to
disability, please indicate those needs at the time of registration.
Edward B. Knipling,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 03-21484 Filed 8-21-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-18-P