### 37200 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 119 / Thursday, June 20, 2013 / Notices

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Agricultural Marketing Service**

**[Document No. AMS–ST–13–0019]**

**Plant Variety Protection Board; Open Teleconference Meeting** 

**AGENCY :**  Agricultural Marketing Service,

USDA.

**ACTION :**  Notice of meeting.

**SUMMARY :**  This notice is intended to notify the public of their opportunity to attend an open meeting of the Plant Variety Protection Board.

**DATES :**  July 31, 2013 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., open to the public.

**ADDRESSES :**  The meeting will be held at the United States Department of Agriculture, Room 4530, South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Ms. Jennifer Banks, Plant Variety Protection Office, Science and Technology Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence, Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250. Telephone number (202) 260–8983, fax (202) 260–8976, or email: jennifer.banks@ams.usda.gov

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**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  Pursuant to the provisions of section 10(a) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C., Appendix 2), this notice is given regarding an upcoming Plant Variety Protection (PVP) Board meeting. The Plant Variety Protection Act (PVPA) (7

U.S.C. 2321 et seq. ) provides legal protection in the form of intellectual property rights to developers of new varieties of plants, which are reproduced sexually by seed or are tuber-propagated. A Certificate of Plant Variety Protection is awarded to an owner of a crop variety after an examination shows that it is new, distinct from other varieties, genetically uniform and stable through successive generations. The term of protection is 20 years for most crops and 25 years for trees, shrubs, and vines. The PVPA also provides for a statutory Board (7 U.S.C. 2327). The duties of the Board are to: (1) Advise the Secretary concerning the adoption of rules and regulations to facilitate the proper administration of the Act; (2) provide advisory counsel to the Secretary on appeals concerning decisions on applications by the PVP Office and on requests for emergency public-interest compulsory licenses; and (3) advise the Secretary on any other matters under the Regulations and Rules of Practice and on all questions under Section 44 of the Act, ‘‘Public Interest in Wide Usage’’ (7 U.S.C. 2404).

The purpose of the meeting will be to introduce the topics of the PVP Office’s 2013 achievements, ongoing process improvements, plans for electronic applications/database conversion, and concepts on using molecular techniques

for PVP distinctness characterization. The proposed agenda for the PVP Board meeting will include a welcome by Department officials followed by a discussion focusing on program activities that encourage the development of new plant varieties and appeals to the Secretary. The agenda will also include presentations on the PVP Process Improvement, electronic PVP application/computer database development, and the use of molecular markers for PVP applications.

The meeting will be open to the public. Those wishing to attend or phone into the meeting are encouraged to pre-register by July 24, 2013 with the person listed under **FOR FURTHER**

**INFORMATION CONTACT** . If you require accommodations, such as sign language interpreter, please contact the person

listed under **FOR FURTHER INFORMATION**

**CONTACT** . Minutes of the meeting will be available for public review 30 days following the meeting at the address

listed under **FOR FURTHER INFORMATION**

**CONTACT** . The minutes will also be posted on the Internet Web site http:// www.ams.usda.gov/PVPO

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Dated: June 14, 2013.

Rex A. Barnes,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.

[FR Doc. 2013–14713 Filed 6–19–13; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3410–02–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Agricultural Marketing Service**

**[Doc. No. AMS–FV–13–0035; FV13–996–1]**

**Peanut Standards Board**

**AGENCY :**  Agricultural Marketing Service,

USDA.

**ACTION :**  Notice; request for nominations.

**SUMMARY :**  The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (2002 Farm Bill) requires the Secretary of Agriculture to

establish a Peanut Standards Board (Board) for the purpose of advising the Secretary on quality and handling standards for domestically produced and imported peanuts. The initial Board was appointed by the Secretary and announced on December 5, 2002. USDA

seeks nominations for individuals to be

considered for selection as Board members for terms of office ending June 30, 2016. Selected nominees would replace three producer and three industry representatives who currently

serve on the Board and have terms of office that end June 30, 2013. Also, one individual would fill a currently vacant industry position for a term of office ending June 30, 2015. The Board consists of 18 members representing producers and the industry. USDA values diversity. In an effort to obtain diversity among candidates, USDA encourages the nomination of men and women of all racial and ethnic groups and persons with a disability.

**DATES :**  Written nominations must be received on or before July 22, 2013.

**ADDRESSES :**  Nominations should be sent to Jennie M. Varela, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA, 799 Overlook Drive, Suite A, Winter Haven, FL 33884: Telephone: (863) 324–3375; Fax: (863) 325–8793; Email: Jennie.Varela@ams.usda.gov

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**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  Section 1308 of the 2002 Farm Bill requires the Secretary of Agriculture to establish and consult with the Board for the purpose of advising the Secretary regarding the establishment of quality and handling standards for all domestic and imported peanuts marketed in the United States.

The 2002 Farm Bill provides that the Board’s makeup will include three producers and three peanut industry representatives from States specified in each of the following producing regions: Southeast (Alabama, Georgia, and Florida); Southwest (Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico); and Virginia/Carolina (Virginia and North Carolina).

The term ‘‘peanut industry representatives’’ includes, but is not limited to, representatives of shellers, manufacturers, buying points, and marketing associations and marketing cooperatives. The 2002 Farm Bill exempted the appointment of the Board from the requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

USDA invites individuals, organizations, and groups affiliated with the categories listed above to nominate individuals for membership on the Board. Nominees sought by this action would fill two positions in the Southeast region; three positions in the Southwest region, one of which is currently vacant; and two positions in the Virginia/North Carolina region.

Nominees should complete a Peanut Standards Board Background Information form and submit it to Jennie Varela at the address provided in the ‘‘Addresses’’ section above. Copies of this form may be obtained at the

Internet site www.ams.usda.gov/