[Federal Register: November 9, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 217)]
[Notices]
[Page 65771]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09no06-26]
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Notices
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
appearing in this section.
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[[Page 65771]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Research Service
Solicitation of Nominations, Advisory Committee on Biotechnology
and 21st Century Agriculture
AGENCY: Agricultural Research Service, Office of the Under Secretary,
Research, Education, and Economics, USDA.
SUMMARY: Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. App., 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 December 11, 2006.
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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Schechtman, Telephone (202)
720-3817.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: AC21 members serve terms of up to 2 years,
with terms for around half of the Committee members expiring in any
given year. Nominations are being sought for open Committee seats. The
terms of 12 members of the AC21 will expire in early 2006. The AC21
Charter allows for flexibility to appoint up to a total of 17 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
recommendations of the Committee take into account the needs of the
diverse groups served by the Department, 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 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 complete work on a project related to
biotechnology coexistence issues, begin work related to transgenic
animal technologies, and, if time permits, begin work on additional
topics under the Committee's charge.
Nominations for AC21 membership must be in writing and provide the
appropriate background documents required by USDA policy, including
background disclosure form AD-755. All nomination materials should be
sent to Michael Schechtman at the address listed in the ADDRESSES
section. Forms may also be submitted by fax to (202) 690-4265. To
obtain form AD-755 ONLY, please contact Debra Lindsay, Office of Pest
Management Policy, telephone (202) 720-4074, fax (202) 720-3191; e-mail
Debra.lindsay@ars.usda.gov.
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 the Office
of the Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics, 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.
All nominations must be postmarked no later than December 11, 2006.
Dated: November 2, 2006.
Jeremy Stump,
Senior Advisor for International and Homeland Security Affairs and
Biotechnology.
[FR Doc. E6-19029 Filed 11-8-06; 8:45 am]
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