[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 226 (Friday, November 21, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70612-70613]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-27725]


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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. 2, the United States Department of Agriculture announces a 
meeting of the Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century 
Agriculture (AC21).

DATES: The meeting dates are December 17, 2008, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 
December 18, 2008, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

ADDRESSES: Lincoln Room in USDA National Finance Center Client Services 
Office Facilities, South Building Room 1623, 1400 Independence Avenue, 
SW., Washington, DC 20250.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Schechtman, Telephone (202) 
720-3817.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The twenty-first meeting of the AC21 has 
been scheduled for December 17-18, 2008. The AC21 consists of members 
representing the biotechnology industry, farmers, commodity processors 
and shippers, livestock handlers, environmental and consumer groups, 
and academic researchers. In addition, representatives from the 
Departments of Commerce, Health and Human Services, and State, and the 
Environmental Protection Agency, the Office of the United States Trade 
Representative, and the National Association of State Departments of 
Agriculture serve as ``ex officio'' members. At this meeting, the 
committee will be briefed on U.S. government regulatory developments 
relevant to agricultural biotechnology and will complete substantive 
work on a paper addressing the following charge: ``Genetically 
engineered (GE) food animals are being developed in the U.S. and abroad 
for food and non-food uses. What regulatory issues should the U.S. 
government consider with regard to the potential development and 
commercialization of these animals and the products produced from them? 
Since USDA's legal authorities extend beyond regulation to research, 
education and marketing, what issues pertaining to GE animals will USDA 
need to consider when exercising these authorities? How might the views 
of different stakeholders be obtained and considered?''
    Background information regarding the work of the AC21 will be 
available on the USDA Web site at http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?navid=BIOTECH&parentnav=AGRICULTURE&navtype=RT.
    Requests to make oral presentations at the meeting may be sent to 
Michael

[[Page 70613]]

Schechtman, Designated Federal Official, Office of the Deputy 
Secretary, USDA, 202 B Jamie L. Whitten Federal Building, 12th Street 
and Jefferson Drive, SW., Washington, DC 20250, Telephone (202) 720-
3817; Fax (202) 690-4265; E-mail [email protected]. On 
December 17, 2008, if time permits, reasonable provision will be made 
for oral presentations of no more than five minutes each in duration. 
Written requests to make oral presentations at the meeting must be 
received by the contact person identified herein at least three 
business days before the meeting. 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 Fowler at (202) 720-4074, by 
fax at (202) 720-3191 or by E-mail at [email protected] at 
least five business days prior to the meeting. Please provide your 
name, title, business affiliation, address, and telephone and fax 
numbers 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.

    Dated: November 13, 2008.
Jeremy Stump,
Deputy Chief of Staff.
 [FR Doc. E8-27725 Filed 11-20-08; 8:45 am]
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