[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 197 (Thursday, October 13, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59714-59715]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-20478]


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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: Notice.

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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 (AC21). The 
charge for the AC21 is 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.

DATES: Written nominations must be received by fax or postmarked on or 
before November 14, 2005.

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; e-mail [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; e-mail 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    AC21 members serve staggered 2-year terms, with terms for half of 
the Committee members expiring in any given year. Nominations are being 
sought for open Committee seats. The terms of 9 members of the AC21 
will expire in early 2006. The AC21 Charter allows for flexibility to 
appoint up to a total of 10 members. Members can be reappointed to 
serve up to 6 consecutive years. Equal opportunity practices, in line 
with USDA policies, will be followed in all membership appointments to 
the Committee. To ensure that the recommendations of the Committee have 
taken into account the needs of the diverse groups served by USDA, 
membership shall include, to the extent practicable, individuals with 
demonstrated ability to represent minorities, women, and persons with 
disabilities.
    Nominees of the AC21 should have recognized expertise in one or 
more of the following areas: Recombinant-DNA (rDNA) research and 
applications using

[[Page 59715]]

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. Over 
the next two years, it is expected that the AC21 will address topics 
related to biotechnology coexistence issues, priorities for development 
of biotechnology-derived crops other than major uses of commodity 
crops, transgenic animals, and perhaps other topics.
    Nominations for AC21 membership must be in writing and provide the 
appropriate background documents required by USDA policy, including 
background disclosure form AD-755.
    The AC21 meets in Washington, DC, up to four (4) times per year. 
The function of the AC21 is solely advisory. Members of the AC21 and 
its subcommittees serve without pay, but with reimbursement of travel 
expenses and per diem for attendance at AC21 and subcommittee functions 
for those AC21 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 AC21.
    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 postmarked no later than November 14, 2005.

    Dated: October 6, 2005.
Bernice Slutsky,
Senior Advisor to the Secretary for Biotechnology.
[FR Doc. 05-20478 Filed 10-12-05; 8:45 am]
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