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[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 192 (Wednesday, October 3, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 60373]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-24352]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. AMS-CN-12-0048]

Advisory Committee on Universal Cotton Standards

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Re-establishment of the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) Advisory Committee on Universal Cotton Standards and 
a Request for Nominations.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) intends to re-
establish the Advisory Committee on Universal Cotton Standards 
(Committee). The Committee is necessary and in the public interest. The 
Committee reviews official Universal Standards for American Upland 
cotton prepared by USDA and would make recommendations to the Secretary 
of Agriculture regarding the establishment or revision of standards. 
USDA also seeks nominations of individuals to be considered for 
selection as Committee members.

DATES: Written nominations must be received on or before November 2, 
2012.

ADDRESSES: Nominations and applications materials should be sent to 
Darryl Earnest, Deputy Administrator, Cotton & Tobacco Programs, AMS, 
USDA, 3275 Appling Road, Room 11, Memphis, TN 38133.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Knowlton, Designated Federal 
Official; Phone: (901) 384-3030; Email: James.Knowlton@ams.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee 
Act (5 U.S.C. App.), notice is hereby given that the Secretary of 
Agriculture intends to re-establish the Committee for two years and the 
Committee would be composed of foreign and domestic representatives of 
the cotton industry. The purpose of the Committee would be to review 
official Universal Standards for U.S. Upland cotton prepared by USDA 
and make recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture regarding 
establishment or revision of the standards established under the United 
States Cotton Standards Act (7 U.S.C. 51 et seq.). The Deputy 
Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service's Cotton and 
Tobacco Programs will serve as the Committee's Executive Secretary.
    Industry members will be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture 
and serve a two (2) year term. Membership will consist of 
representatives from the cotton industry. The U.S. cotton industry's 
membership would be comprised of twelve (12) producers and ginners, six 
(6) representatives of merchandising firms, and six (6) representatives 
of textile manufacturers. These representatives would be appointed by 
the Secretary of Agriculture. Each member would have one vote. 
Accordingly, voting privileges will be divided as follows: U.S. cotton 
producers and ginners--twelve (12) votes; U.S. merchandising firms--six 
(6) votes; U.S. textile manufacturers--six (6) votes. There would be 
two committee members designated from each of the foreign signatory 
associations. These committee members would be designated by the 
respective associations. Voting privileges would be divided as follows: 
foreign signatory merchant associations--six (6) votes; foreign 
signatory spinner associations--six (6) votes. The members of the re-
established Committee will elect a Chairperson of the Committee.
    The Secretary of Agriculture invites those individuals, 
organizations, and groups affiliated with the categories listed above 
to nominate individuals for membership on the re-established Committee. 
Nominations should describe and document the proposed member's 
qualifications for membership to the Committee and list their name, 
title, address, telephone, and fax number. The Secretary of Agriculture 
seeks a diverse group of members that represent a broad spectrum of 
persons interested in providing suggestions and ideas on how USDA can 
tailor its programs to meet the needs of the cotton industry.
    All individuals who wish to nominate themselves can obtain the 
application form at www.usda.gov/advisory_committees.xml. Applicants 
should also include their resumes in their submission.
    Equal opportunity practices in accordance with USDA policies will 
be followed in all appointments to the Committee. To ensure that 
recommendations of the Committee take into account the needs of the 
diverse groups served by USDA, membership will include to the extent 
possible, individuals with demonstrated ability to represent 
minorities, women and persons with disabilities.

    Dated: September 28, 2012.
David R. Shipman,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-24352 Filed 10-2-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
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