81 FR 28047 - 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 81, Issue 89 (May 9, 2016)
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 89 (May 9, 2016)
| Page Range | 28047-28048 | |
| FR Document | 2016-10807 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 89 (Monday, May 9, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 28047-28048] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-10807] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2, the United States Department of Agriculture announces a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture (AC21). The committee is being convened to: consider work of the three ad hoc subgroups on the progress of their analyses relevant to the new AC21 charge; discuss a draft outline for the committee's next report and selected draft content, including a draft guidance document for producers and a draft model for facilitating local conversations around coexistence; and continue overall discussions on the committee charge and planning the completion of its work. DATES: The meeting will be held on Monday-Tuesday, June 13-14, 2016, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. This meeting is open to the public. On June 13, 2016, 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. 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. 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, Michael Schechtman, Designated Federal Official, Office of the Deputy Secretary, USDA, 202B Jamie L. Whitten Federal Building, 12th and 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 Environmental Protection Agency, the Council on Environmental Quality, and the Office of the United States Trade Representative serve as ``ex officio'' members. In its last report, issued on November 17, 2012, entitled ``Enhancing Coexistence: A Report to the Secretary of Agriculture,'' and available on the Web site listed below, the AC21 offered a diverse package of recommendations, among which was a recommendation that `` . . . USDA should facilitate development of joint coexistence plans by neighboring farmers,'' and that in a pilot program, USDA should, among other things, offer incentives for the development of such plans. At its meeting on December 14-15, 2015, USDA offered a specific new charge to the AC21 building on its previous work. Recognizing that USDA currently lacks the legal authority to offer any such incentives, the committee has been charged with considering the following two questions: Is there an approach by which farmers could be encouraged to work with their neighbors to develop joint coexistence plans at the State or local level? If so, how might the [[Page 28048]] Federal government assist in that process? At the AC21's last meeting, on March 14-15, 2016, AC21 members reached a general agreement on the main content elements of the upcoming report. In devising their approach to respond to this charge, the AC21 has established 3 ad hoc subgroups to gather and analyze information and options for the full committee's consideration. These address: development of a guidance document which could be made available to farmers and other stakeholders; potential models for facilitating conversations around coexistence and potential available incentives; and potential venues and conveners of coexistence conversations. The three objectives for the meeting are:To consider work of the three ad hoc subgroups on the progress of their analyses relevant to the new AC21 charge; to discuss a draft outline for the committee's next report and selected draft content, including a draft guidance document for producers and a draft model for facilitating local conversations around coexistence; and to continue overall discussions on the committee charge and planning the completion of its work. 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 May 25, 2016. 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 June 13, 2016 and will be given their allotted time limit and turn at the check-in table. Public Comments: Written public comments may be mailed to Michael Schechtman, Designated Federal Official, Office of the Deputy Secretary, USDA, 202B Jamie L. Whitten Federal Building, 12th and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250; via fax to (202) 690- 4265 or email to [email protected]. All written comments must arrive by June 8, 2016. 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: The meeting will be open to the public, but space is limited. 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. Issued at Washington, DC, this 2nd day of May. Ann M. Bartuska, Deputy Under Secretary, Research, Education and Economics. [FR Doc. 2016-10807 Filed 5-6-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-03-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 89 / Monday, May 9, 2016 / Notices 28047
with cauliflower curds packed to be 4 comment on the proposed revisions to Schechtman, Designated Federal
inches or larger.’’ to the basic the standards. This period is deemed Official, Office of the Deputy Secretary,
requirement for curd size. To explain appropriate in order to implement these USDA, 202B Jamie L. Whitten Federal
the marking requirements, AMS changes, if adopted, as soon as possible Building, 12th and Independence
proposes to add a new ‘‘§ 51.556 to reflect current marketing practices. Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250;
Marking Requirements,’’ which would Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621–1627. Telephone (202) 720–3817; Fax (202)
read as follows: ‘‘When the product is 690–4265; Email AC21@ars.usda.gov
packed to be less than 4 inches in Dated: May 3, 2016.
may be contacted for specific questions
maximum diameter, 90 percent or more Elanor Starmer, about the committee or this meeting.
of the master containers shall be plainly Administrator.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The AC21
stamped, printed, labeled or otherwise [FR Doc. 2016–10741 Filed 5–6–16; 8:45 am] has been established to provide
marked with the maximum diameter. BILLING CODE 3410–02–P information and advice to the Secretary
The term ‘maximum’ or its recognized of Agriculture on the broad array of
abbreviation, when following a diameter issues related to the expanding
size marking, means that the curds are DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE dimensions and importance of
of the size marked or smaller.’’ The agricultural biotechnology. The
current § 51.556, Metric Conversion Office of the Under Secretary,
Research, Education, and Economics; committee is charged with examining
Table, will be redesignated as § 51.557. the long-term impacts of biotechnology
The size revision and marking Notice of the Advisory Committee on
Biotechnology and 21st Century on the U.S. food and agriculture system
requirements would be interpreted as
Agriculture Meeting and USDA, and providing guidance to
follows: When cauliflower curds are
USDA on pressing individual issues,
specified to be less than 4 inches in AGENCY: Agricultural Research Service, identified by the Office of the Secretary,
maximum diameter, at least 90 percent USDA. related to the application of
of the master containers in a lot must be
ACTION: Notice of public meeting. biotechnology in agriculture. In recent
marked by a maximum diameter of less
years, the work of the AC21 has
than 4 inches. For example, a lot having SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Federal centered on the issue of coexistence
curds no larger than 31⁄2 inches in Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. among different types of agricultural
diameter must have 90 percent or more 2, the United States Department of production systems. The AC21 consists
of the master containers marked 31⁄2″ Agriculture announces a meeting of the of members representing the
max. If less than 90 percent of the Advisory Committee on Biotechnology biotechnology industry, the organic food
master containers are marked, the lot and 21st Century Agriculture (AC21). industry, farming communities, the seed
may meet grade requirements but would The committee is being convened to: industry, food manufacturers, state
fail to meet marking requirements as to consider work of the three ad hoc government, consumer and community
size. subgroups on the progress of their
Furthermore, curds that are specified development groups, as well as
analyses relevant to the new AC21 academic researchers and a medical
to be less than 4 inches in maximum charge; discuss a draft outline for the
diameter would not include cauliflower doctor. In addition, representatives from
committee’s next report and selected the Department of Commerce, the
florets, since florets are pieces of curd draft content, including a draft guidance
and not considered small heads of Department of Health and Human
document for producers and a draft Services, the Environmental Protection
cauliflower. Therefore, florets would not model for facilitating local
be certified to a grade. Agency, the Council on Environmental
conversations around coexistence; and Quality, and the Office of the United
This revision would also affect the continue overall discussions on the
U.S. Commercial grade. States Trade Representative serve as ‘‘ex
committee charge and planning the officio’’ members.
The agricultural trade association had completion of its work.
no objection to removing the In its last report, issued on November
DATES: The meeting will be held on 17, 2012, entitled ‘‘Enhancing
‘‘Unclassified’’ category from the
Monday–Tuesday, June 13–14, 2016, Coexistence: A Report to the Secretary
standards. The unclassified section is
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. This of Agriculture,’’ and available on the
being removed from all standards when
meeting is open to the public. On June Web site listed below, the AC21 offered
they are revised. This category is not a
13, 2016, if time permits, reasonable a diverse package of recommendations,
grade and only serves to show that no
provision will be made for oral among which was a recommendation
grade has been applied to the lot. It is
presentations of no more than five that ‘‘ . . . USDA should facilitate
no longer considered necessary.
AMS believes that permitting all minutes each in duration, starting at development of joint coexistence plans
colors, mixed-color packs, and smaller 3:30 p.m. Members of the public who by neighboring farmers,’’ and that in a
sizes of cauliflower to be certified to a wish to make oral statements should pilot program, USDA should, among
grade reflects current marketing also inform Dr. Schechtman in writing other things, offer incentives for the
practices and consumer demand, and or via Email at the indicated addresses development of such plans.
will facilitate the marketing of below at least three business days before At its meeting on December 14–15,
cauliflower by providing the industry the meeting. 2015, USDA offered a specific new
with more flexibility. ADDRESSES: U.S. Access Board charge to the AC21 building on its
The official grade of a lot of Conference Room, 1331 F Street NW., previous work. Recognizing that USDA
cauliflower covered by these standards Suite 800, Washington, DC 20004. currently lacks the legal authority to
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will be determined by the procedures FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: offer any such incentives, the committee
set forth in the Regulations Governing General information about the has been charged with considering the
Inspection, Certification, and Standards committee can also be found at http:// following two questions: Is there an
of Fresh Fruits, Vegetables and Other www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/ approach by which farmers could be
Products (Sec. 51.1 to 51.61). usdahome?navid=BIOTECH_ encouraged to work with their neighbors
This notice provides a 60-day period AC21&navtype=RT&parentnav= to develop joint coexistence plans at the
during which interested parties may BIOTECH. However, Michael State or local level? If so, how might the
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![28048 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 89 / Monday, May 9, 2016 / Notices
Federal government assist in that comments must arrive by June 8, 2016. information collection. Comments may
process? Oral comments are also accepted. To be submitted by one of the following
At the AC21’s last meeting, on March request to give oral comments, see methods:
14–15, 2016, AC21 members reached a instructions under ‘‘Register for the • Federal eRulemaking Portal: This
general agreement on the main content Meeting’’ above. Web site provides the ability to type
elements of the upcoming report. In Availability of Materials for the short comments directly into the
devising their approach to respond to Meeting: All written public comments comment field on this Web page or
this charge, the AC21 has established 3 will be compiled into a binder and attach a file for lengthier comments. Go
ad hoc subgroups to gather and analyze available for review at the meeting. to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow
information and options for the full Duplicate comments from multiple the on-line instructions at that site for
committee’s consideration. These individuals will appear as one submitting comments.
address: development of a guidance comment, with a notation that multiple • Mail, including CD–ROMs, etc.:
document which could be made copies of the comment were received. Send to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department
available to farmers and other Please visit the Web site listed above to of Agriculture, Food Safety and
stakeholders; potential models for learn more about the agenda for or Inspection Service, Docket Clerk,
facilitating conversations around reports resulting from this meeting. Patriots Plaza 3, 1400 Independence
coexistence and potential available Meeting Accommodations: The Avenue SW., Mailstop 3782, Room 8–
incentives; and potential venues and meeting will be open to the public, but 163A, Washington, DC 20250–3700.
conveners of coexistence conversations. space is limited. USDA is committed to • Hand- or courier-delivered
The three objectives for the meeting ensuring that all employees are submittals: Deliver to Patriots Plaza 3,
are: included in our work environment, 355 E Street SW., Room 8–163A,
• To consider work of the three ad programs and events. If you are a person Washington, DC 20250–3700.
hoc subgroups on the progress of their with a disability and request reasonable Instructions: All items submitted by
analyses relevant to the new AC21 accommodations to participate in this mail or electronic mail must include the
charge; meeting, please note the request in your Agency name and docket number FSIS–
• to discuss a draft outline for the registration. All reasonable 2016–0015. Comments received in
committee’s next report and selected accommodation requests are managed response to this docket will be made
draft content, including a draft guidance on a case by case basis. available for public inspection and
document for producers and a draft posted without change, including any
model for facilitating local Issued at Washington, DC, this 2nd day of personal information, to http://
May. www.regulations.gov.
conversations around coexistence; and
• to continue overall discussions on Ann M. Bartuska, Docket: For access to background
the committee charge and planning the Deputy Under Secretary, Research, Education documents or comments received, go to
completion of its work. and Economics. the FSIS Docket Room at Patriots Plaza
Background information regarding the [FR Doc. 2016–10807 Filed 5–6–16; 8:45 am] 3, 355 E Street SW., Room 8–164,
work and membership of the AC21 is BILLING CODE 3410–03–P Washington, DC 20250–3700 between
available on the USDA Web site at 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/ through Friday.
usdahome?contentid=AC21Main.xml& DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gina
contentidonly=true. Kouba, Paperwork Reduction Act
Register for the Meeting: The public is Food Safety and Inspection Service Coordinator, Food Safety and Inspection
asked to pre-register for the meeting at [Docket No. FSIS–2016–0015] Service, USDA, 1400 Independence
least 10 business days prior to the Avenue SW., Room 6065, South
meeting. Your pre-registration must Notice of Request To Renew an Building, Washington, DC 20250; (202)
state: the names of each person in your Approved Information Collection 720–5627.
group; organization or interest (Import of Undenatured Inedible SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
represented; the number of people Product) Title: Import of Undenatured Inedible
planning to give oral comments, if any; Product.
and whether anyone in your group AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection
Service, USDA. OMB Control Number: 0583–0161.
requires special accommodations. Type of Request: Renewal of an
Submit registrations to Ms. Dianne ACTION: Notice and request for approved information collection.
Fowler at (202) 720–4074 or by Email at comments. Abstract: FSIS has been delegated the
Dianne.fowler@ars.usda.gov by May 25, SUMMARY: In accordance with the authority to exercise the functions of the
2016. The Agricultural Research Service Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and Secretary of Agriculture (7 CFR 2.18,
will also accept walk-in registrations. Office of Management and Budget 2.53) as specified in the Federal Meat
Members of the public who request to (OMB) regulations, the Food Safety and Inspection Act (FMIA) (21 U.S.C. 601, et
give oral comments to the Committee, Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing seq.) and the Egg Products Inspection
must arrive by 8:45 a.m. on June 13, its intention to renew the approved Act (EPIA) (21 U.S.C. 1031, et seq.).
2016 and will be given their allotted information collection regarding the FSIS protects the public by verifying
time limit and turn at the check-in table. importation of undenatured inedible that meat and egg products are safe,
Public Comments: Written public wholesome, not adulterated, and
meat and egg products into the United
comments may be mailed to Michael correctly labeled. FSIS is planning to
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
States. The approval for this information
Schechtman, Designated Federal request a renewal of this approved
collection will expire on August 31,
Official, Office of the Deputy Secretary, information collection because it is due
2016.
USDA, 202B Jamie L. Whitten Federal to expire on August 31, 2016. There are
Building, 12th and Independence DATES: Submit comments on or before no changes to the existing information
Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250; July 8, 2016. collection.
via fax to (202) 690–4265 or email to ADDRESSES: FSIS invites interested Foreign governments are to petition
AC21@ars.usda.gov. All written persons to submit comments on this FSIS for approval to import
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Document Created: 2018-02-07 14:50:12
Document Modified: 2018-02-07 14:50:12
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of public meeting. | |
| Dates | The meeting will be held on Monday-Tuesday, June 13-14, 2016, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. This meeting is open to the public. On June 13, 2016, 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. Schechtman in writing or via Email at | |
| 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, Michael Schechtman, Designated Federal Official, Office of the Deputy Secretary, USDA, 202B Jamie L. Whitten Federal Building, 12th and 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. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 28047 |
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