[Federal Register: May 20, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 98)]
[Notices]
[Page 29123-29124]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20my04-34]
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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, Agriculture.
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: June 3-4, 2004, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the first day and 8 a.m.
to 4 p.m. on the second day. Written requests to make oral
presentations at the meeting must be received by the contact person
identified herein at least three business days before the meeting.
ADDRESSES: Vista C Room at the Wyndham Washington Hotel, 1400 M
[[Page 29124]]
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20005. Requests to make oral presentations
at the meeting may be sent to the contact person at USDA, Office of the
Deputy Secretary, 202 B Jamie L. Whitten Federal Building, 12th and
Independence Avenues, 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 (202) 720-3817; Fax (202) 690-4265; E-mail
mschechtman@ars.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The fifth meeting of the AC21 has been
scheduled for June 3-4, 2004. 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,
and academic researchers. 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 AC21 at this meeting will continue its work to
develop a report examining the impacts of agricultural biotechnology on
American agriculture and USDA over the next 5 to 10 years,
specifically: to review two draft introductory chapters prepared by
USDA staff with input from specific AC21 members; to review the
progress of two work groups on developing report chapters on potential
issues and concerns and on possible future scenarios and to provide
guidance to them in their work; and to consider presentations on
research related to trends in consumer acceptance of agricultural
biotechnology products. The AC21 will also discuss the progress of a
work group drafting a separate report for the committee's consideration
on the issue of the proliferation of traceability and mandatory
labeling regimes for biotechnology-derived products in other countries,
the implications of those regimes, and what industry is doing to
attempt to address those requirements for products shipped to those
countries.
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 June 3, 2004, 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, and
telephone and fax numbers 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.
Dated: May 17, 2004.
Joseph J. Jen,
Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics.
[FR Doc. 04-11511 Filed 5-19-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-03-P