[Federal Register: November 21, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 226)]
[Notices]               
[Page 70613]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21no08-23]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

 
Agricultural Research Service

AGENCY: Office of the Under Secretary, Research, Education, and 
Economics, USDA.

ACTION: Solicitation of Nominations, Advisory Committee on 
Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture.

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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 22, 2008.

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: Nominations are being sought for open 
Committee seats. There are currently 20 members on the AC21 and the 
committee's Charter allows for flexibility to appoint up to a total of 
25 members. AC21 members serve terms of up to 2 years, with terms for 
around half of the Committee members generally expiring in most years. 
Members can be reappointed to serve up to 6 consecutive years. Because 
the AC21 will have been in existence for 6 years in early 2008 and 
because of staggered appointments for committee members, the terms of 
13 current members of the AC21, including the AC21 Chair, will expire 
at that time. 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 incoming Secretary of Agriculture in order to achieve a balanced 
representation of viewpoints to address effectively USDA biotechnology 
policy issues under consideration. Background information regarding the 
work of the AC21, including reports already developed by the Committee, 
is available on the USDA Web site at http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/
!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_
1OB?navid=BIOTECH&parentnav=AGRICULTURE&navtype=RT. Over the next two 
years, it is expected that the AC21 will undertake work specifically 
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 Dianne Fowler, Office of Pest 
Management Policy, telephone (202) 720-4074, fax (202) 720-3191; e-mail 
Dianne.fowler@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 post marked no later than [the date set 
forth above].

    Dated: November 13, 2008.
Jeremy Stump,
Deputy Chief of Staff.
[FR Doc. E8-27724 Filed 11-20-08; 8:45 am]

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