80 FR 72410 - Office of the Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics; Notice of the Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture Meeting

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 223 (November 19, 2015)

Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announces a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture (AC21). The committee is being convened to update committee members on USDA activities to support coexistence among different agricultural production systems, consistent with AC21 recommendations contained in the committee's previous report; and to discuss a new task related to coexistence for committee deliberations and develop a plan for addressing it.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 223 (Thursday, November 19, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72410-72411]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-29540]


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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 223 / Thursday, November 19, 2015 / 
Notices

[[Page 72410]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Office of the Under Secretary, Research, Education, and 
Economics; Notice of the Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st 
Century Agriculture Meeting

AGENCY: Agricultural Research Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 
2, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announces a 
meeting of the Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century 
Agriculture (AC21). The committee is being convened to update committee 
members on USDA activities to support coexistence among different 
agricultural production systems, consistent with AC21 recommendations 
contained in the committee's previous report; and to discuss a new task 
related to coexistence for committee deliberations and develop a plan 
for addressing it.

DATES: The meeting will be held on Monday-Tuesday, December 14-15, 
2015, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. This meeting is open to the 
public. On December 14, 2015, if time permits, reasonable provision 
will be made for oral presentations of no more than five minutes each 
in duration, starting at 3:30 p.m. Members of the public who wish to 
make oral statements should also inform Dr. Michael Schechtman in 
writing or via email at the indicated addresses below at least three 
business days before the meeting.

ADDRESSES: U.S. Access Board Conference Room, 1331 F Street NW., Suite 
800, Washington, DC 20004-1111.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: General information about the 
committee can also be found at: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=BIOTECH_AC21&navtype=RT&parentnav=BIOTECH. However, Dr. 
Michael Schechtman, Designated Federal Official, Office of the Deputy 
Secretary, USDA, Jamie L. Whitten Building, Room 202B, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250; Telephone (202) 720-
3817; Fax (202) 690-4265; Email [email protected] may be contacted for 
specific questions about the committee or this meeting.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The AC21 has been established to provide 
information and advice to the Secretary of Agriculture on the broad 
array of issues related to the expanding dimensions and importance of 
agricultural biotechnology. The committee is charged with examining the 
long-term impacts of biotechnology on the U.S. food and agriculture 
system and USDA, and providing guidance to USDA on pressing individual 
issues, identified by the Office of the Secretary, related to the 
application of biotechnology in agriculture. In recent years, the work 
of the AC21 has centered on the issue of coexistence among different 
types of agricultural production systems. The AC21 consists of members 
representing the biotechnology industry, the organic food industry, 
farming communities, the seed industry, food manufacturers, state 
government, consumer and community development groups, as well as 
academic researchers and a medical doctor. In addition, representatives 
from the Department of Commerce, the Department of Health and Human 
Services, the Department of State, the Environmental Protection Agency, 
the Council on Environmental Quality, and the Office of the United 
States Trade Representative may serve as ``ex officio'' members. The 
objectives for the meeting are:
     To review the AC21 purpose, history, and operational 
process, and member responsibilities;
     To update committee members on regulatory developments and 
initiatives on biotechnology-derived agricultural products;
     To update committee members on USDA activities to support 
coexistence consistent with AC21 recommendations contained in the 
committee's previous report; and
     To outline the new task for committee deliberations and 
develop a plan for addressing it.
Background information regarding the work and membership of the AC21 is 
available on the USDA Web site at: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=AC21Main.xml&contentidonly=true.
    Register for the Meeting: The public is asked to pre-register for 
the meeting at least 10 business days prior to the meeting. Your pre-
registration must state: the names of each person in your group; 
organization or interest represented; the number of people planning to 
give oral comments, if any; and whether anyone in your group requires 
special accommodations. Submit registrations to Ms. Dianne Fowler at 
(202) 720-4074 or by email at [email protected] by December 4, 
2015. The Agricultural Research Service will also accept walk-in 
registrations. Members of the public who request to give oral comments 
to the Committee, must arrive by 8:45 a.m. on December 14, 2015 and 
will be given their allotted time limit and turn at the check-in table.
    Public Comments: Written public comments may be mailed to Dr. 
Michael Schechtman, Designated Federal Official, Office of the Deputy 
Secretary, USDA, Jamie L. Whitten Building, Room 202B, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250; via fax to (202) 690-
4265 or email to [email protected]. All written comments must arrive by 
December 10, 2015. Oral comments are also accepted. To request to give 
oral comments, see instructions under `Register for the Meeting' above.
    Availability of Materials for the Meeting: All written public 
comments will be compiled into a binder and available for review at the 
meeting. Duplicate comments from multiple individuals will appear as 
one comment, with a notation that multiple copies of the comment were 
received. Please visit the Web site listed above to learn more about 
the agenda for or reports resulting from this meeting.
    Meeting Accommodations: USDA is committed to ensuring that all 
employees are included in our work environment, programs, and events. 
If you are a person with a disability and request reasonable 
accommodations to participate in this meeting, please note the request 
in your registration. All reasonable accommodation requests are managed 
on a case by case basis.


[[Page 72411]]


    Issued at Washington, DC, this 13th day of November 2015.
Catherine E. Woteki,
Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics.
[FR Doc. 2015-29540 Filed 11-18-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-03-P