[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 51 (Friday, March 15, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11658-11659]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-6207]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary


Notice of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
Education, and Economics Advisory Board Meeting

AGENCY: Research, Education, and Economics, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 
U.S.C. App., the United States Department of Agriculture announces a 
meeting of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, 
and Economics Advisory Board.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board, which represents 30 
constituent categories, as specified in section 802 of the Federal 
Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-127), has 
scheduled a National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and 
Economics Advisory Board general meeting and focus session from March 
28, 2002--March 29, 2002. This meeting is entitled, Food and 
Agriculture Biosecurity: Research and Education Implications. It will 
be held at the Washington Court Hotel in Washington, DC. Also, a pre-
meeting reception with special guest speakers, including the President 
of the Council of Scientific Society Presidents, Dr. Martin Apple, will 
be held the evening of Wednesday March 27 from 7-8 p.m. at the same 
location.
    On Thursday, March 28, 2002, the morning session will begin with 
opening remarks by the Chair of the Advisory Board, Dr. Victor 
Lechtenberg. Dr. Michael Osterholm, Director of the Center for 
Infectious Disease Research and Policy, University of Minnesota, will 
provide the keynote address. The Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, Jim 
Moseley, has been invited to provide an overview on Food and 
Agricultural Biosecurity at USDA. Additional remarks on USDA's key 
research activities will be given by Dr. Joseph Jen, Under Secretary 
for Research, Education, and Economics. There will also be a panel on 
``Homeland Security in USDA Agencies,'' followed by a panel on 
``Preparedness Plans.'' A mid-afternoon panel at 3 p.m. will address 
``Biosecurity Education and Protection for the American Public.'' The 
floor will be open to the public, as time permits, prior to the day's 
adjournment. A buffet reception with be held that evening (Thursday, 
March 28) from 5:30 p.m.--7:30 p.m. with an invited guest speaker from 
the Office of Homeland Security.
    On Friday, March 29, 2002, the Advisory Board will reconvene with a 
panel that addresses ``Biosecurity in the Food and Agriculture 
Industries Involved in the Food Supply Chain,'' and include topics such 
as grain handling and transportation, meat production, food processing, 
retail, food service, and fresh produce. Dr. John Marburger, Director 
of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, Executive Office of the 
President, has been invited to speak during lunch on high priority 
research and development issues, interagency collaborations, and public 
and private sector partnerships with regard to homeland security in 
food and agriculture. The afternoon panel session focuses on ``Research 
Implications for Biosecurity.'' Guest speakers at this meeting are 
representative of the broad food and agriculture stakeholder community 
across the country. Prior to the wrap up of the meeting and as time 
permits, the floor will be open for public comments. The Board will 
discuss in detail findings of this 2-day meeting on Food and 
Agriculture Biosecurity and begin to develop research and education 
recommendations that will be tendered as advice to the Secretary of 
Agriculture. Written comments will be accepted at the USDA Advisory 
Board Office for public record up to 2 weeks following the Board 
meeting.
    This meeting is open to all individuals without regard to race, 
color, religion, sex, national origin, age, mental or physical 
handicap, marital status, or sexual orientation. Should an attendee at 
this meeting require any special needs, please contact the USDA 
Research, Education, and Economics Advisory Board Office cited below.

DATES:   

March 27  7 p.m. to 8 p.m.--Pre-Meeting Reception with Guest Speaker
March 28  8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.--Focus Session

[[Page 11659]]

March 28  4:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.--Public Comments and Adjournment for 
the Day
March 28  5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.--Working Reception with Guest Speaker
March 29  8 a.m. to 12 noon--Advisory Board Meeting and Focus Session
March 29  12 noon to 1:15 p.m.--Working Lunch with Guest Speaker
March 29  1:15 p.m. to 3 p.m.--Focus Session and Discussion
March 29  3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.--Public Comments, Wrap-up and 
Recommendations, and Adjournment of Meeting

    Place: Washington Court Hotel, 525 New Jersey Avenue, NW, 
Washington, D.C.; Atrium Ballroom and Executive Room (Receptions Only).
    Type of Meeting: Open to the Public.
    Comments: The public may file written comments before or up to two 
weeks after the meeting with the contact person. All statements will 
become a part of the official records of the National Agricultural 
Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board and will 
be kept on file for public review in the Office of the Advisory Board; 
Research, Education, and Economics; U.S. Department of Agriculture; 
Washington, DC 20250-2255.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Deborah Hanfman, Executive Director, 
National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics 
Advisory Board; Research, Education, and Economics Advisory Board 
Office; Room 344-A, Jamie L. Whitten Building; U.S. Department of 
Agriculture; STOP: 2255, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.,; Washington, DC 
20250-2255; Telephone: 202-720-3684; Fax: 202-720-6199; or e-mail: 
[email protected]. Done at Washington, DC, this 26th day of February 
2002.

Joseph J. Jen,
Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics.
[FR Doc. 02-6207 Filed 3-14-02; 8:45 am]
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