```

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 53 (Friday, March 18, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14895-14896]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-6361]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Research Service

Request for Nominations to the Advisory Committee on 
Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture

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

ACTION: Notice of request for nominations to the Advisory Committee on 
Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Secretary of Agriculture requests nominations for 
qualified persons to serve as members of the Advisory Committee on 
Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture (AC21).

DATES: Written nominations must be received by fax or postmarked on or 
before April 18, 2011.

ADDRESSES: All nomination materials should be sent to Michael 
Schechtman, Designated Federal Official, Office of the Secretary, USDA, 
202B Jamie L. Whitten Federal Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, 
SW., Washington, DC 20250. Forms may also be submitted by fax to (202) 
690-4265, if they are followed by written copies.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions should be addressed to 
Michael Schechtman, Designated Federal Official, telephone (202) 720-
3817; fax (202) 690-4265; e-mail AC21@ars.usda.gov. 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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Advisory Committee Purpose: USDA supports the responsible 
development and application of biotechnology within

[[Page 14896]]

the global food and agricultural system. Biotechnology intersects many 
of the policies, programs and functions of USDA. 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. 
The AC21 will meet in Washington, DC, up to four (4) times per year.
    Membership: Under the AC21 Charter, members of the AC21 will be 
knowledgeable 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; entomology; 
nematology; 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.
    It is envisioned that the immediate upcoming work of the AC21 will 
concentrate on providing practical recommendations to the Secretary of 
Agriculture on ways to strengthen coexistence among different 
agricultural crop production methods. One specific focus will be on 
mechanisms that might be employed to help the market balance risks and 
rewards in different production sectors. Accordingly, Committee 
membership will concentrate on areas most relevant to those 
deliberations.
    Nominations for AC21 membership must be in writing and provide the 
appropriate background documents required by USDA policy, including 
background disclosure form AD-755. Neither the form nor the information 
it contains may be released to the public, except as authorized by law.
    No member may serve on the AC21 for more than six consecutive 
years. Nominees will initially serve for terms of 1 or 2 years for 
purposes of continuity. Previous AC21 members who wish again to be 
considered for membership must resubmit the full package of materials 
described under Submitting Nominations below.
    Members of the AC21 and its subcommittees shall 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 April 18, 2011.
    To ensure that recommendations of the task force take into account 
the needs of underserved and diverse communities served by USDA, 
membership will include, to the extent practicable, individuals 
representing minorities, women, and persons with disabilities. USDA 
prohibits discrimination in its programs and activities on the basis of 
race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, sexual 
orientation, or disability. Additionally, discrimination on the basis 
of political beliefs and marital or family status is also prohibited by 
statutes enforced by USDA (not all prohibited bases apply to all 
programs). Persons with disabilities who require alternate means for 
communication of program information (Braille, large print, audio tape, 
etc.) should contact the USDA's Target Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice 
and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

    Dated: March 10, 2011.
Catherine E. Woteki,
Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics.
[FR Doc. 2011-6361 Filed 3-17-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-03-P
```