[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 199 (Tuesday, October 17, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71638-71640]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-22880]


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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE


Notice of Establishment and Request for Nominations for the 
Seasonal and Perishable Agricultural Products Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION: Notice and request for applications.

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SUMMARY: The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) 
and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have established a new 
trade advisory committee known as the Seasonal and Perishable 
Agricultural Products Advisory Committee (Committee) to provide advice 
and recommendations to the U.S. Trade Representative and the Secretary 
of Agriculture in connection with U.S. trade policy that concerns 
administrative actions and legislation that would promote the 
competitiveness of Southeastern U.S. producers of seasonal and 
perishable agricultural products. USTR is accepting applications from 
qualified individuals interested in serving a four-year term as a 
Committee member.

DATES: USTR will accept nominations on a rolling basis for Committee 
membership for an initial four-year charter term.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ethan Holmes, Director for Private 
Sector Engagement, at [email protected], (202) 881-9185.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Background

    Section 135(c)(2) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 
2155(c)(2)), authorizes the President to establish appropriate sectoral 
or functional trade advisory committees. The President delegated that 
authority to the U.S. Trade Representative in Executive Order 11846, 
section 4(d), issued on March 27, 1975.
    Pursuant to this authority, the U.S Trade Representative, jointly 
with the Secretary of Agriculture, established the Committee to provide 
advice and recommendations to them on trade policy and development 
matters that have a significant relationship to administrative actions 
and legislation that would promote the competitiveness of Southeastern 
U.S. producers of seasonal and perishable agricultural products.
    The Committee meets as needed in person or by virtual or telephone 
conference, generally four times per year, at the call either of the 
U.S. Trade Representative and the Secretary of Agriculture or their 
designee, depending on various factors such as the level of activity of 
trade negotiations and the needs of the U.S. Trade Representative and 
the Secretary of Agriculture.

II. Membership

    The U.S. Trade Representative and Secretary of Agriculture jointly 
appoint up to 25 members who represent the views and interests of 
Southeast U.S. producers of seasonal and perishable agricultural 
products. In addition to general trade, investment, and development 
issues, members must have expertise in areas such as:
     growing and selling seasonal and perishable fruits and 
vegetables.
     understanding the needs and market dynamics affecting 
producers of seasonal and perishable fruits and vegetables in the 
Southeastern United States.
     understanding the existing State and Federal support 
programs and resources for producers of seasonal and perishable fruits 
and vegetables.
     developing and presenting actionable recommendations to 
U.S. Government officials.
    To ensure that the Committee is broadly representative, USTR and 
USDA will consider qualified representatives of key sectors and groups 
of the economy with an interest in seasonal and perishable produce 
within the Southeastern United States. Fostering diversity, equity, 
inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) is one of the top priorities.
    The U.S. Trade Representative and the Secretary of Agriculture 
appoint members jointly and members serve at their discretion. Members 
serve for a term of up to four years or until the Committee is 
scheduled to expire. The U.S. Trade Representative and the Secretary of 
Agriculture may reappoint individuals for any number of terms.
    The U.S. Trade Representative and the Secretary of Agriculture are 
committed to a trade agenda that advances racial equity and supports 
underserved communities and will seek advice and recommendations on 
trade policies that eliminate social and economic structural barriers 
to equality and economic opportunity, and to better understand the 
projected impact of proposed trade policies on communities of color and 
underserved communities. USTR and USDA strongly encourage diverse 
backgrounds and perspectives and makes appointments to the Committee 
without regard to political affiliation and in accordance with equal 
opportunity practices that promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and 
accessibility. USTR and USDA strive to ensure balance in terms of 
sectors, demographics, and other factors relevant to USTR's needs.
    Committee members serve without either compensation or 
reimbursement of expenses. Members are responsible for all expenses 
they incur to attend meetings or otherwise participate in Committee 
activities. Committee members must be able to obtain and maintain a 
security clearance in order to serve and have access to classified and 
trade sensitive documents. They must meet the eligibility requirements 
at the time of appointment and at all times during their term of 
service.
    Committee members are appointed to represent their sponsoring U.S. 
entity's interests on U.S. trade policy that affects the 
competitiveness of Southeastern U.S. producers of seasonal and 
perishable agricultural products, and thus the foremost consideration 
for applicants is their ability to carry out the goals of section 
135(c) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended. Other criteria include the 
applicant's knowledge of and expertise in international trade issues as 
relevant to the work of the Committee, USTR and USDA. USTR anticipates 
that almost all Committee members will serve in a representative 
capacity with a limited number serving in an individual capacity as 
subject matter experts. These members, known as special government 
employees, are subject to conflict of interest rules and may have to 
complete a financial disclosure report.

III. Request for Nominations

    USTR is soliciting nominations for membership on the Committee. To 
apply for membership, an applicant must meet the following eligibility 
criteria at the time of application and at all times during their term 
of service as a Committee member:
    1. The person must be a U.S. citizen.
    2. The person cannot be a full-time employee of a U.S. Governmental 
entity.
    3. If serving in an individual capacity, the person cannot be a 
federally registered lobbyist.
    4. The person cannot be registered with the U.S. Department of 
Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
    5. The person must be able to obtain and maintain a security 
clearance.
    6. For representative members, who will comprise almost all of the 
Committee, the person must represent a U.S. organization whose members 
(or funders) have a demonstrated interest in issues relevant to trade 
and the environment or have personal experience or expertise in trade 
and the environment.
    7. For eligibility purposes, a ``U.S. organization'' is an 
organization established under the laws of the United States, that is 
controlled by U.S. citizens, by another U.S. organization (or 
organizations), or by a U.S. entity (or entities), determined based on 
its board of directors (or comparable governing body), membership, and 
funding sources, as applicable. To qualify as a U.S. organization, more 
than 50 percent of the board of directors (or comparable governing 
body) and more than 50 percent of the membership of the organization to 
be represented must be U.S. citizens, U.S. organizations, or U.S. 
entities. Additionally, at least 50 percent of the organization's 
annual revenue must be attributable to nongovernmental U.S. sources.
    8. For members who will serve in an individual capacity, the person 
must possess subject matter expertise regarding international trade and 
environmental issues.
    In order to be considered for Committee membership, interested 
persons should submit the following to Ethan Holmes, Director for 
Private Sector Engagement, at [email protected]:
     Name, title, affiliation, and contact information of the 
individual requesting consideration.

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     If applicable, a sponsor letter on the organization's 
letterhead containing a brief description of the manner in which 
international trade affects the organization and why USTR should 
consider the applicant for membership.
     The applicant's personal resume.
     An affirmative statement that the applicant and the 
organization they represent meet all eligibility requirements.
    USTR will consider applicants who meet the eligibility criteria in 
accordance with equal opportunity practices that promote diversity, 
equity, inclusion, and accessibility, based on the following factors:
     Ability to represent the sponsoring U.S. entity's or U.S. 
organization's and its subsector's interests on trade and environmental 
matters.
     Knowledge of and experience in U.S. trade policy that 
affects the competitiveness of Southeastern U.S. producers of seasonal 
and perishable agricultural products trade and environmental matters, 
as described in more detail in part II above, that is relevant to the 
work of the Committee, USTR and USDA.
     How they will contribute to trade policies that eliminate 
social and economic structural barriers to equality and economic 
opportunity and to understanding of the projected impact of proposed 
trade policies on communities of color and underserved communities.
     Ensuring that the Committee is balanced in terms of points 
of view, demographics, geography, and entity or organization size.

Roberto Soberanis,
Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Intergovernmental Affairs and 
Public Engagement, Office of the United States Trade Representative.
[FR Doc. 2023-22880 Filed 10-16-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3390-F4-P