[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 89 (Monday, May 9, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28047-28048]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-10807]


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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 public meeting.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to 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). The committee is being convened to: consider work of the three 
ad hoc subgroups on the progress of their analyses relevant to the new 
AC21 charge; discuss a draft outline for the committee's next report 
and selected draft content, including a draft guidance document for 
producers and a draft model for facilitating local conversations around 
coexistence; and continue overall discussions on the committee charge 
and planning the completion of its work.

DATES: The meeting will be held on Monday-Tuesday, June 13-14, 2016, 
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. This meeting is open to the public. On 
June 13, 2016, if time permits, reasonable provision will be made for 
oral presentations of no more than five minutes each in duration, 
starting at 3:30 p.m. Members of the public who wish to make oral 
statements should also inform Dr. Schechtman in writing or via Email at 
the indicated addresses below at least three business days before the 
meeting.

ADDRESSES: U.S. Access Board Conference Room, 1331 F Street NW., Suite 
800, Washington, DC 20004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: General information about the 
committee can also be found at http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=BIOTECH_AC21&navtype=RT&parentnav=BIOTECH. However, 
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] may be contacted for 
specific questions about the committee or this meeting.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The AC21 has been established to provide 
information and advice to the Secretary of Agriculture on the broad 
array of issues related to the expanding dimensions and importance of 
agricultural biotechnology. The committee is charged with examining the 
long-term impacts of biotechnology on the U.S. food and agriculture 
system and USDA, and providing guidance to USDA on pressing individual 
issues, identified by the Office of the Secretary, related to the 
application of biotechnology in agriculture. In recent years, the work 
of the AC21 has centered on the issue of coexistence among different 
types of agricultural production systems. 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 Environmental Protection Agency, the Council on 
Environmental Quality, and the Office of the United States Trade 
Representative serve as ``ex officio'' members.
    In its last report, issued on November 17, 2012, entitled 
``Enhancing Coexistence: A Report to the Secretary of Agriculture,'' 
and available on the Web site listed below, the AC21 offered a diverse 
package of recommendations, among which was a recommendation that `` . 
. . USDA should facilitate development of joint coexistence plans by 
neighboring farmers,'' and that in a pilot program, USDA should, among 
other things, offer incentives for the development of such plans.
    At its meeting on December 14-15, 2015, USDA offered a specific new 
charge to the AC21 building on its previous work. Recognizing that USDA 
currently lacks the legal authority to offer any such incentives, the 
committee has been charged with considering the following two 
questions: Is there an approach by which farmers could be encouraged to 
work with their neighbors to develop joint coexistence plans at the 
State or local level? If so, how might the

[[Page 28048]]

Federal government assist in that process?
    At the AC21's last meeting, on March 14-15, 2016, AC21 members 
reached a general agreement on the main content elements of the 
upcoming report. In devising their approach to respond to this charge, 
the AC21 has established 3 ad hoc subgroups to gather and analyze 
information and options for the full committee's consideration. These 
address: development of a guidance document which could be made 
available to farmers and other stakeholders; potential models for 
facilitating conversations around coexistence and potential available 
incentives; and potential venues and conveners of coexistence 
conversations.
    The three objectives for the meeting are:
     To consider work of the three ad hoc subgroups on the 
progress of their analyses relevant to the new AC21 charge;
     to discuss a draft outline for the committee's next report 
and selected draft content, including a draft guidance document for 
producers and a draft model for facilitating local conversations around 
coexistence; and
     to continue overall discussions on the committee charge 
and planning the completion of its work.
    Background information regarding the work and membership of the 
AC21 is available on the USDA Web site at http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=AC21Main.xml&contentidonly=true.
    Register for the Meeting: The public is asked to pre-register for 
the meeting at least 10 business days prior to the meeting. Your pre-
registration must state: the names of each person in your group; 
organization or interest represented; the number of people planning to 
give oral comments, if any; and whether anyone in your group requires 
special accommodations. Submit registrations to Ms. Dianne Fowler at 
(202) 720-4074 or by Email at [email protected] by May 25, 
2016. The Agricultural Research Service will also accept walk-in 
registrations. Members of the public who request to give oral comments 
to the Committee, must arrive by 8:45 a.m. on June 13, 2016 and will be 
given their allotted time limit and turn at the check-in table.
    Public Comments: Written public comments may be mailed to 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; via fax to (202) 690-
4265 or email to [email protected]. All written comments must arrive by 
June 8, 2016. Oral comments are also accepted. To request to give oral 
comments, see instructions under ``Register for the Meeting'' above.
    Availability of Materials for the Meeting: All written public 
comments will be compiled into a binder and available for review at the 
meeting. Duplicate comments from multiple individuals will appear as 
one comment, with a notation that multiple copies of the comment were 
received. Please visit the Web site listed above to learn more about 
the agenda for or reports resulting from this meeting.
    Meeting Accommodations: The meeting will be open to the public, but 
space is limited. USDA is committed to ensuring that all employees are 
included in our work environment, programs and events. If you are a 
person with a disability and request 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.

    Issued at Washington, DC, this 2nd day of May.
Ann M. Bartuska,
Deputy Under Secretary, Research, Education and Economics.
[FR Doc. 2016-10807 Filed 5-6-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-03-P