[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 99 (Monday, May 22, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 32072]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-12798]


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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. 65, No. 99 / Monday, May 22, 2000 / Notices  

[[Page 32072]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary

[Docket No. CN-00-004]


Proposal to Reestablish the Advisory Committee on Universal 
Cotton Standards

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Reestablish the Advisory Committee on 
Universal Cotton Standards.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is proposing to 
reestablish an advisory committee to review official Universal 
Standards for American Upland cotton prepared by USDA and make 
recommendations regarding the establishment or revision of the 
standards.

DATES: Comments must be received by June 21, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Norma McDill, Cotton Program, AMS, 
USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, Rm 2641-S, Washington, DC 20250-0224. 
Comments will be available for public inspection during regular 
business hours at the above office in Rm 2641-South Building, 14th & 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norma McDill, 202-720-2145.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee 
Act (5 U.S.C. App.) , notice is hereby given that the Secretary of 
Agriculture intends to reestablish the Advisory Committee on Universal 
Standards composed of foreign and domestic representatives of the 
cotton industry. The purpose of the committee is to review official 
Universal Standards for U.S. Upland cotton prepared by USDA and make 
recommendations regarding the establishment or revision of the 
standards established under the United States Cotton Standards Act (7 
U.S.C. 51 et seq.). The last Advisory Committee on Universal Standards 
was established in 1997. This Advisory Committee's term ended in 1999.
    The Secretary has determined that the work of the committee is in 
the public interest and is in connection with the duties of the 
Department of Agriculture. No other advisory committee in existence is 
capable of advising and assisting the Department on the task assigned, 
nor does the Department have an alternative means to obtain the 
technical and practical expertise needed from private industry.
    Equal opportunity practices, in line with USDA policies, will be 
followed in all appointments to the committee. To ensure that the 
recommendations of the committee have taken into account the needs of 
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.
    Balanced committee membership would be attained domestically and 
internationally through the following committee composition.

Representation by Domestic Industry

    The U.S. cotton industry's committee membership will be comprised 
of 12 producers and ginners, 6 representatives of merchandising firms, 
and 6 representatives of textile manufacturers. These representatives 
will be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture.
    Each member will have one vote. Accordingly, voting privileges will 
be divided as follows: (1) U.S. cotton producers and ginners--12 votes; 
(2) U.S. merchandising firms--6 votes; (3) U.S. textile manufacturers--
6 votes.

Representation by Foreign Signatory Associations

    There will be 2 committee members from each of the foreign 
signatory associations. These committee members will be designated by 
the respective associations. Voting privileges will be divided as 
follows: (1) Foreign signatory merchant associations--6 votes; (2) 
Foreign signatory spinner associations--6 votes.
    A thirty-day comment period is provided for interested persons to 
comment on this action.

    Dated: May 17, 2000.
Norma McDill,
Acting Deputy Administrator, Cotton Program.
[FR Doc. 00-12798 Filed 5-19-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P