[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 59 (Monday, March 30, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14106-14107]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-6884]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Research Service
Solicitation of Nominations, Advisory Committee on Biotechnology
and 21st Century Agriculture
AGENCY: Office of the Under Secretary, Research, Education, and
Economics, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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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 April 29, 2009.
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 to supplement a pool of nominations received on or
before December 22, 2008. AC21 members serve terms of up to 2 years,
with terms for around half of the Committee members generally expiring
in most years. The committee's Charter allows for a committee of 20 to
25 members and there are currently a minimum of 12 slots on the
Committee that need to be filled, including that of the Chair. 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 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.
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
[email protected].
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
[[Page 14107]]
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 April 29, 2009.
Katherine Smith,
Acting Deputy Under Secretary, Research, Education and Economics.
[FR Doc. E9-6884 Filed 3-27-09; 8:45 am]
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