[Federal Register: October 23, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 205)]
[Notices]               
[Page 60633-60634]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23oc03-16]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Research Service

 
Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture; 
Nominations

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

ACTION: Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century 
Agriculture; Nominations.

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SUMMARY: 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 November 24, 2003.

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.,

[[Page 60634]]

Washington, DC 20250. Forms may also be submitted by fax to (202) 690-
4265.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions should be addressed to 
Michael Schechtman, Designated Federal Official, telephone (202) 720-3817; fax (202) 690-4265; e-mail mschechtman@ars.usda.gov. To obtain 
form AD-755 ONLY please contact Dianne Harmon, Office of Pest 
Management Policy, telephone (202) 720-4074, fax (202) 720-3191; e-mail dharmon@ars.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: AC21 members serve staggered 2-year terms, 
with terms for half of the Committee members expiring in any given 
year. Nominations are being sought for open Committee seats. The terms 
of 9 members of the AC21 will expire in early 2004. The AC21 Charter 
allows for flexibility to appoint up to a total of 11 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 the 
recommendations of the Committee have taken into account the needs of 
the diverse groups served by USDA, 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.
    Nominations for AC21 membership must be in writing and provide the 
appropriate background documents required by USDA policy, including 
background disclosure form AD-755.
    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 REE, 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.
    Nominations should be sent to Michael Schechtman at the address 
listed above, and be post marked no later than [the date set forth 
above].

    Dated: October 15, 2003.
Joseph Jen,
Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics.
[FR Doc. 03-26790 Filed 10-22-03; 8:45 am]

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