[Federal Register: November 21, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 226)]
[Notices]
[Page 70613]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21no08-23]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Research Service
AGENCY: Office of the Under Secretary, Research, Education, and
Economics, USDA.
ACTION: Solicitation of Nominations, Advisory Committee on
Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture.
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. App., 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 December 22, 2008.
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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Schechtman, Telephone (202)
720-3817.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Nominations are being sought for open
Committee seats. There are currently 20 members on the AC21 and the
committee's Charter allows for flexibility to appoint up to a total of
25 members. AC21 members serve terms of up to 2 years, with terms for
around half of the Committee members generally expiring in most years.
Members can be reappointed to serve up to 6 consecutive years. Because
the AC21 will have been in existence for 6 years in early 2008 and
because of staggered appointments for committee members, the terms of
13 current members of the AC21, including the AC21 Chair, will expire
at that time. Equal opportunity practices, in line with USDA policies,
will be followed in all membership appointments to the Committee. To
ensure that recommendations of the Committee take into account the
needs of the diverse groups served by the Department, 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 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 incoming Secretary of Agriculture in order to achieve a balanced
representation of viewpoints to address effectively USDA biotechnology
policy issues under consideration. Background information regarding the
work of the AC21, including reports already developed by the Committee,
is available on the USDA Web site at http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/
!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_
1OB?navid=BIOTECH&parentnav=AGRICULTURE&navtype=RT. Over the next two
years, it is expected that the AC21 will undertake work specifically
related to transgenic animal technologies, and, if time permits, begin
work on additional topics under the Committee's charge.
Nominations for AC21 membership must be in writing and provide the
appropriate background documents required by USDA policy, including
background disclosure form AD-755. All nomination materials should be
sent to Michael Schechtman at the address listed in the ADDRESSES
section. Forms may also be submitted by fax to (202) 690-4265. To
obtain form AD-755 ONLY, please contact Dianne Fowler, Office of Pest
Management Policy, telephone (202) 720-4074, fax (202) 720-3191; e-mail
Dianne.fowler@ars.usda.gov.
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 the Office
of the Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics, 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.
All nominations must be post marked no later than [the date set
forth above].
Dated: November 13, 2008.
Jeremy Stump,
Deputy Chief of Staff.
[FR Doc. E8-27724 Filed 11-20-08; 8:45 am]
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