[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 19 (Tuesday, January 29, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 4233]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-2135]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 19 / Tuesday, January 29, 2002 / 
Notices  

[[Page 4233]]



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: Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century 
Agriculture; nominations.

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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 (ACBTCA).

DATES: Written nominations must be received by fax or postmarked on or 
before February 28, 2002.

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; email [email protected]. To obtain 
form AD-755 ONLY please contact Vanessa Simon, Office of Pest 
Management Policy, telephone (202) 690-8647, fax (202) 690-4265; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Advisory Committee Purpose: USDA supports the responsible 
development and application of biotechnology within the global food and 
agricultural system. Biotechnology intersects many of the policies, 
programs and functions of USDA. The charge for the ACBCTA shall be 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. 
The ACBTCA replaces the USDA Advisory Committee on Agricultural 
Biotechnology. The ACBTCA will meet in Washington, DC, up to four (4) 
times per year.
    Membership: Members of the ACBTCA 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.
    Nominations for ACBTCA 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 as authorized by law.
    No member may serve on the ACBTCA for more than six consecutive 
years. Nominees will initially serve for terms of 1 or 2 years for 
purposes of continuity.
    Members of the ACBTCA and its subcommittees shall serve without 
pay, but with reimbursement of travel expenses and per diem for 
attendance at ACBTCA and subcommittee functions for those ACBTCA 
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 ACBTCA.
    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 February 28, 2002.
    USDA is actively soliciting nominations of qualified minorities, 
women, persons with disabilities and members of low income populations. 
To ensure that recommendations of the ACBTCA take into account the 
needs of underserved and 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: January 18, 2002.
Joseph Jen,
Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics.
[FR Doc. 02-2135 Filed 1-28-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-03-P