[Federal Register: October 13, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 197)]
[Notices]
[Page 59714-59715]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13oc05-40]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Research Service
Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture;
Nominations
AGENCY: Office of the Under Secretary, Research, Education, and
Economics, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Research Service is requesting nominations
for qualified persons to serve as members of the Secretary's Advisory
Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture (AC21). The
charge for the AC21 is two-fold: to examine the long-term impacts of
biotechnology on the U.S. food and agriculture system and USDA; and to
provide guidance to USDA on pressing individual issues, identified by
the Office of the Secretary, related to the application of
biotechnology in agriculture.
DATES: Written nominations must be received by fax or postmarked on or
before November 14, 2005.
ADDRESSES: All nomination materials 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. Forms may also be
submitted by fax to (202) 690-4265.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions should be addressed to
Michael Schechtman, Designated Federal Official, telephone (202) 720-
3817; fax (202) 690-4265; e-mail mschechtman@ars.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; e-mail
dharmon@ars.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
AC21 members serve staggered 2-year terms, with terms for half of
the Committee members expiring in any given year. Nominations are being
sought for open Committee seats. The terms of 9 members of the AC21
will expire in early 2006. The AC21 Charter allows for flexibility to
appoint up to a total of 10 members. Members can be reappointed to
serve up to 6 consecutive years. Equal opportunity practices, in line
with USDA policies, will be followed in all membership appointments to
the Committee. To ensure that the recommendations of the Committee have
taken into account the needs of the diverse groups served by USDA,
membership shall include, to the extent practicable, individuals with
demonstrated ability to represent minorities, women, and persons with
disabilities.
Nominees of the AC21 should have recognized expertise in one or
more of the following areas: Recombinant-DNA (rDNA) research and
applications using
[[Page 59715]]
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; biodiversity; applicable laws and regulations relevant to
agricultural biotechnology policy; risk assessment; consumer advocacy
and public attitudes; public health/epidemiology; 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. Over
the next two years, it is expected that the AC21 will address topics
related to biotechnology coexistence issues, priorities for development
of biotechnology-derived crops other than major uses of commodity
crops, transgenic animals, and perhaps other topics.
Nominations for AC21 membership must be in writing and provide the
appropriate background documents required by USDA policy, including
background disclosure form AD-755.
The AC21 meets in Washington, DC, up to four (4) times per year.
The function of the AC21 is solely advisory. Members of the AC21 and
its subcommittees serve without pay, but with reimbursement of travel
expenses and per diem for attendance at AC21 and subcommittee functions
for those AC21 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
nominee's suitability to serve on the AC21.
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 postmarked no later than November 14, 2005.
Dated: October 6, 2005.
Bernice Slutsky,
Senior Advisor to the Secretary for Biotechnology.
[FR Doc. 05-20478 Filed 10-12-05; 8:45 am]
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