[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 160 (Thursday, August 19, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45227-45228]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-21477]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 160 / Thursday, August 19, 1999 / 
Notices  

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary


Advisory Committee on Agricultural Biotechnology

AGENCY: Research, Education, and Economics, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to establish; request for nominations and 
comments.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Agriculture proposes to establish the 
Advisory Committee on Agricultural Biotechnology (ACAB). The Secretary 
of Agriculture is requesting nominations for qualified persons to serve 
as members of the ACAB.

DATES: Written nominations must be received on or before September 3, 
1999.

ADDRESSES: Nominations 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, Designated Federal 
Official, telephone (202) 720-3817; fax (202) 690-4265; email 
[email protected]. To obtain form AD-755 ONLY please 
contact Dianne Harmon, Office of Pest Management Policy, telephone 
(202) 720-4074, fax (202) 720-3191; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Advisory Committee Purpose

    The Secretary of Agriculture is establishing the Advisory Committee 
on Agricultural Biotechnology (ACAB) to advise the Secretary of 
Agriculture on the broad array of issues related to the expanding 
dimensions and importance of agricultural biotechnology. USDA 
encourages and supports the responsible development and utilization of 
beneficial new agricultural products, including those produced through 
biotechnology, and assures the safety of new products with a science 
based regulatory approach. USDA has complex and crucial roles in 
protecting public health and safety, the natural environment, and a 
competitive, vibrant, and diverse farm economy; ensuring the quality 
and availability of our food and fiber supply; and maintaining the 
competitive position of American agricultural products in the 
international marketplace. These topics are of critical concern in the 
conduct of agricultural biotechnology research, regulation, and 
commercialization. Some of the topics that the Secretary of Agriculture 
has identified for the ACAB's initial consideration include: effects of 
industry concentration and consolidation on farmers; intellectual 
property rights and grower autonomy; effects of biotechnology on small 
farmers; ways to maximize or encourage potential benefits of 
biotechnology in different agricultural sectors; and USDA's role in 
assuring that farmers have an array of choices for future agricultural 
technology and practices. The ACAB will meet in Washington, DC, up to 
four (4) times per year.

Task Force Membership

    The ACAB will be made up of United States citizens. It will consist 
of 25 members of whom no more than five (5) will be federal employees. 
Members of ACAB 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; small farm advocacy; biodiversity issues; applicable laws 
and regulations relevant to agricultural biotechnology policy; risk 
assessment; consumer advocacy and public attitudes; public health/
epidemiology; occupational health; 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.
    Nominations for ACAB membership must be in writing and provide the 
appropriate background documents required by USDA policy, including 
background disclosure form AD-755. Neither the form nor the information 
it contains may be released to the public, except under an order issued 
by a Federal court or as otherwise provided under the Privacy Act (5 
U.S.C. 552a).
    No member may serve on the ACAB for more than three (3) consecutive 
terms. Nominees will initially serve for terms of 1 or 2 years for 
purposes of continuity.
    Members of the ACAB and its subcommittees shall serve without pay, 
but with reimbursement of travel expenses and per diem for attendance 
at ACAB and subcommittee functions for those ACAB 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 
nominees suitability to serve on the ACAB.
    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 post marked no later than September 3, 1999.
    USDA is actively soliciting nominations of qualified minorities, 
women, persons with disabilities and members of low income populations 
through outreach to minority-focused media outlets, Historically Black 
Colleges and Universities, including Clark Atlanta University, the 
Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, the National 
Congress of Native American Indians, the Intertribal Agriculture 
Council, Gallaudet and Purdue Universities, and the Rural Coalition. To 
ensure that recommendations of the ACAB take into account the needs of 
under-served and

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diverse communities served by the USDA, membership shall include, to 
the extent practicable, individuals with demonstrated ability to 
represent minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.

    Dated: August 12, 1999.
I.M. Gonzalez,
Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics.
[FR Doc. 99-21477 Filed 8-18-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-03-P