[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 224 (Monday, November 21, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71933-71934]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-30027]


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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, USDA.

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 6-7, 2011, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
each day.

ADDRESSES: Room 1107, U.S. Department of State, 2201 C Street NW., 
Washington, DC 20520.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Schechtman, Designated Federal 
Official, Office of the Deputy Secretary, USDA, 202B Jamie L. Whitten 
Federal Building, 12th and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 
20250; Telephone (202) 720-3817; Fax (202) 690-4265; Email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The next meeting of the AC21 has been 
scheduled for December 6-7, 2011. The AC21 consists of members 
representing the biotechnology industry, the organic food industry, 
farming communities, the seed industry, food manufacturers, state 
government, consumer and community development groups, as well as 
academic researchers and a medical doctor. In addition, representatives 
from the Department of Commerce, the Department of Health and Human 
Services, the Department of State, the Environmental Protection Agency, 
the Council on Environmental Quality, and the Office of the United 
States Trade Representative have been invited to serve as ``ex 
officio'' members. The Committee meeting will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 
5 p.m. on each day. The topics to be discussed will include: (1) 
Considering reports of two working groups on their initial 
deliberations relating to size and scope of risks and to potential 
compensation mechanisms; (2) listening to presentations from outside 
experts on topics relevant to the work of the AC21; and (3) continuing 
overall discussions on the Committee charge and planning subsequent 
work.
    Background information regarding the work and membership of the 
AC21 will be made available on the USDA Web site at http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=AC21Main.xml&contentidonly=true. Members of the 
public who wish to make oral statements should also inform Dr. 
Schechtman in writing or via Email at the indicated addresses at least 
three business days before the meeting. On December 6, 2011, 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 and 
security requirements at the venue dictate that all attendees must be 
pre-registered for clearance in order to enter the building. If you 
would like to attend the meetings, you must register by contacting Ms. 
Dianne Fowler at (202) 720-4074 or by Email at 
[email protected] at least 7 days prior to the meeting. Please 
provide your name, title, business affiliation, address, telephone, fax 
number, date of birth, and identifying data (drivers license or 
passport number) when you register. If you are a person with a 
disability and request

[[Page 71934]]

reasonable accommodations to participate in this meeting, please note 
the request in your registration. All reasonable accommodation requests 
are managed on a case by case basis.

    Dated: November 16, 2011.
Catherine E. Woteki,
Under Secretary, Research, Education and Economics.
[FR Doc. 2011-30027 Filed 11-18-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-03-P