[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 163 (Friday, August 22, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50742-50743]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-21484]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics


Notice of the Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st 
Century Agriculture Meeting

AGENCY: Agricultural Research Service.

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 Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century 
Agriculture (AC21).

DATES: September 15-16, 2003, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

ADDRESSES: The Meeting will take place at the Waugh Auditorium, USDA 
Economic Research Service, Third Floor, South Tower, 1800 M St., NW., 
Washington, DC 20036. Members of the public wishing to make oral 
statements should send request, in writing or by e-mail, to the contact 
person identified herein. Written requests may be sent to the contact 
person at: USDA, Office of the Deputy Secretary, 202B Jamie L. Whitten 
Federal Building, 12th and

[[Page 50743]]

Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250. Request should be 
received at least 3 business days before the meeting.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Schechtman, Designated Federal 
Official, Office of the Deputy Secretary, Telephone (202) 720-3817; Fax 
(202) 690-4265; e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The second meeting of the AC21 has been 
scheduled for September 15-16, 2003. The AC21 consists of 18 members 
representing the biotechnology industry, the seed industry, 
international plant genetics research, farmers, food manufacturers, 
commodity processors and shippers, environmental and consumer groups, 
along with academic researchers including a bioethicist. In addition, 
representatives from the Departments of Commerce, Health and Human 
Services, and State, and the Environmental Protection Agency, the 
Council on Environmental Quality, and the Office of the United States 
Trade Representative serve as ``ex officio'' members. The Committee 
meeting will be held from 8:30 am to 5 p.m. on each day. The topics to 
be discussed will include: (1) Approval of a framework for the AC21's 
main report; (2) review of a draft outline for the introduction to that 
report; (3) development of a plan for the preparation of the report and 
organization of work groups; and (4) continuation of discussion on 
impacts of biotechnology along the overall food production and 
distribution system, focusing on potential impacts of new value-added 
biotechnology products with direct consumer benefits.
    Background information regarding the work of the AC21 will be 
available on the USDA Web site at http://www.usda.gov/agencies/biotech/ac21.html. On September 15, 2003, if time permits, reasonable provision 
will be made for oral presentations of no more than five minutes each 
in duration. The meeting will be open to the public, but space is 
limited. If you would like to attend the meetings, you must register by 
contacting Ms. Dianne Harmon at (202) 720-4074, by fax at (202) 720-
3191 or by e-mail at [email protected] at least 5 days prior to the 
meeting. Please provide your name, title, business affiliation, 
address, telephone, and fax number when you register. If you require a 
sign language interpreter or other special accommodation due to 
disability, please indicate those needs at the time of registration.

Edward B. Knipling,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 03-21484 Filed 8-21-03; 8:45 am]
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