[Federal Register: November 21, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 225)]
[Notices]
[Page 65678]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21no03-18]
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Notices
Federal Register
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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 65678]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Research Service
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. II, the United States Department of Agriculture announces a
meeting of the Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century
Agriculture (AC21).
DATES: December 4-5, 2003, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Written
request to make oral presentations at the meeting must be received by
the contact person identified herein at least three business days
before the meeting.
ADDRESSES: Vista C Room at the Wyndham Washington Hotel, 1400 M Street,
NW., Washington, DC 20005. Requests to make oral presentations at the
meeting may be sent to the contact person at USDA, Office of the Deputy
Secretary, 202 B Jamie L. Whitten Federal Building, 12th and
Independence Avenues, SW., Washington, DC 20250.
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; E-mail mschechtman@ars.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The third meeting of the AC21 has been
scheduled for December 4-5, 2003. The AC21 consists of 18 members
representing the biotechnology industry, the seed industry,
international plant genetics research, farmers, food manufacturers,
commodity processors and shippers, environmental and consumer groups,
along with academic researchers including a bioethicist. In addition,
representatives from the Departments of Commerce, Health and Human
Services, and State, and the Environmental Protection Agency, the
Council on Environmental Quality, and the Office of the United States
Trade Representative serve as ``ex officio'' members. The Committee
meeting will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on each day. Items on the
AC21's agenda include: Continuing work to develop a report examining
the impacts of agricultural biotechnology on American agriculture and
USDA over the next 5 to 10 years in two sub-areas, namely (1)
discussion of issues and concerns related to impacts of plant
biotechnology products that may be developed over the next 5 to 10
years, as identified by AC21 work groups, and (2) preliminary
presentations and introductory discussions related to animal
biotechnology products that may be developed over the same time frame;
and preliminary presentations and introductory discussions on the issue
of the proliferation of traceability and mandatory labeling regimes for
biotechnology-derived products in other countries, the implications of
those regimes, and what industry is doing to attempt to address those
requirements for products shipped to those countries.
Background information regarding the work of the AC21 will be
available on the USDA Web site at http://www.usda.gov/agencies/biotech/ac21.html.
On December 4, 2003, 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. If
you would like to attend the meetings, you must register by contacting
Ms. Dianne Harmon at (202) 720-4074, by fax at (202) 720-3191 or by E-mail at dharmon@ars.usda.gov at least 5 days prior to the meeting.
Please provide your name, title, business affiliation, address,
telephone, and fax number 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.
Edward B. Knipling,
Acting Administrator, ARS.
[FR Doc. 03-29230 Filed 11-20-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-03-P