81_FR_55330 81 FR 55170 - Office of the Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics; Notice of the Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture Meeting

81 FR 55170 - 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 160 (August 18, 2016)

Page Range55170-55171
FR Document2016-19720

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 complete all substantive work on a report to USDA related to the promotion of coexistence efforts among farmers at the local level.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 160 (Thursday, August 18, 2016) 
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 160 (Thursday, August 18, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55170-55171]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-19720]


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Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
appearing in this section.

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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 160 / Thursday, August 18, 2016 / 
Notices

[[Page 55170]]



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 complete all substantive 
work on a report to USDA related to the promotion of coexistence 
efforts among farmers at the local level.

DATES: The meeting will be held on Thursday-Friday, September 8-9, 
2016, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. This meeting is open to the 
public. On September 8, 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 Federal government assist in 
that process?
    At the AC21's two most recent meetings, on March 14-15, 2016 and 
June 13-14, 2016, AC21 members reached a general agreement on the main 
elements of the upcoming report and made substantial progress in 
defining the content of its next report. The report is to include, 
among other things, a model for convening coexistence discussions at 
the local level as well as guidance for farmers around the production 
of identity-preserved crops. The objective for this meeting is to 
complete all substantive work on the report to USDA.
    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. A copy 
of the draft AC21 report under consideration will be made available on 
that Web site at least 10 days prior to the meeting.
    Register for the Meeting: The public is asked to pre-register for 
the meeting at least 8 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 August 26, 
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 September 8, 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 
September 1, 2016. Oral comments are also accepted. To request to give 
oral comments, see instructions under `Register for the Meeting' above.

[[Page 55171]]

    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, August 11, 2016.
Catherine E. Woteki,
Under Secretary, Research, Education and Economics.
[FR Doc. 2016-19720 Filed 8-17-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-03-P

55170 Notices Federal Register Vol. 81, No. 160 Thursday, August 18, 2016 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER 720–3817; Fax (202) 690–4265; Email State or local level? If so, how might the contains documents other than rules or AC21@ars.usda.gov may be contacted Federal government assist in that proposed rules that are applicable to the for specific questions about the process? public. Notices of hearings and investigations, committee or this meeting. At the AC21’s two most recent committee meetings, agency decisions and meetings, on March 14–15, 2016 and rulings, delegations of authority, filing of SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The AC21 petitions and applications and agency has been established to provide June 13–14, 2016, AC21 members statements of organization and functions are information and advice to the Secretary reached a general agreement on the examples of documents appearing in this of Agriculture on the broad array of main elements of the upcoming report section. issues related to the expanding and made substantial progress in dimensions and importance of defining the content of its next report. agricultural biotechnology. The The report is to include, among other DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE committee is charged with examining things, a model for convening the long-term impacts of biotechnology coexistence discussions at the local Office of the Under Secretary, on the U.S. food and agriculture system level as well as guidance for farmers Research, Education, and Economics; and USDA, and providing guidance to around the production of identity- Notice of the Advisory Committee on USDA on pressing individual issues, preserved crops. The objective for this Biotechnology and 21st Century identified by the Office of the Secretary, meeting is to complete all substantive Agriculture Meeting related to the application of work on the report to USDA. AGENCY: Agricultural Research Service, biotechnology in agriculture. In recent Background information regarding the USDA. years, the work of the AC21 has work and membership of the AC21 is ACTION: Notice of public meeting. centered on the issue of coexistence available on the USDA Web site at among different types of agricultural http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/ SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Federal production systems. The AC21 consists usdahome?contentid=AC21Main.xml& Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. of members representing the contentidonly=true. A copy of the draft 2, the United States Department of biotechnology industry, the organic food AC21 report under consideration will be Agriculture announces a meeting of the industry, farming communities, the seed made available on that Web site at least Advisory Committee on Biotechnology industry, food manufacturers, state 10 days prior to the meeting. and 21st Century Agriculture (AC21). government, consumer and community Register for the Meeting: The public is The committee is being convened to development groups, as well as asked to pre-register for the meeting at complete all substantive work on a academic researchers and a medical least 8 business days prior to the report to USDA related to the promotion doctor. In addition, representatives from meeting. Your pre-registration must of coexistence efforts among farmers at the Department of Commerce, the state: The names of each person in your the local level. Department of Health and Human group; organization or interest DATES: The meeting will be held on Services, the Environmental Protection represented; the number of people Thursday-Friday, September 8–9, 2016, Agency, the Council on Environmental planning to give oral comments, if any; 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. This Quality, and the Office of the United and whether anyone in your group meeting is open to the public. On States Trade Representative serve as ‘‘ex requires special accommodations. September 8, 2016, if time permits, officio’’ members. Submit registrations to Ms. Dianne reasonable provision will be made for In its last report, issued on November Fowler at (202) 720–4074 or by Email at oral presentations of no more than five 17, 2012, entitled ‘‘Enhancing Dianne.fowler@ars.usda.gov by August minutes each in duration, starting at Coexistence: A Report to the Secretary 26, 2016. The Agricultural Research 3:30 p.m. Members of the public who of Agriculture,’’ and available on the Service will also accept walk-in wish to make oral statements should Web site listed below, the AC21 offered registrations. Members of the public also inform Dr. Schechtman in writing a diverse package of recommendations, who request to give oral comments to or via Email at the indicated addresses among which was a recommendation the Committee, must arrive by 8:45 a.m. below at least three business days before that ‘‘. . . USDA should facilitate on September 8, 2016 and will be given the meeting. development of joint coexistence plans their allotted time limit and turn at the ADDRESSES: U.S. Access Board by neighboring farmers,’’ and that in a check-in table. Conference Room, 1331 F Street NW., pilot program, USDA should, among Public Comments: Written public Suite 800, Washington, DC 20004. other things, offer incentives for the comments may be mailed to Michael FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: development of such plans. Schechtman, Designated Federal General information about the At its meeting on December 14–15, Official, Office of the Deputy Secretary, committee can also be found at http:// 2015, USDA offered a specific new USDA, 202B Jamie L. Whitten Federal www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/ charge to the AC21 building on its Building, 12th and Independence usdahome?navid=BIOTECH_AC21& previous work. Recognizing that USDA Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250; rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES navtype=RT&parentnav=BIOTECH. currently lacks the legal authority to via fax to (202) 690–4265 or email to However, Michael Schechtman, offer any such incentives, the committee AC21@ars.usda.gov. All written Designated Federal Official, Office of has been charged with considering the comments must arrive by September 1, the Deputy Secretary, USDA, 202B following two questions: Is there an 2016. Oral comments are also accepted. Jamie L. Whitten Federal Building, 12th approach by which farmers could be To request to give oral comments, see and Independence Avenue SW., encouraged to work with their neighbors instructions under ‘Register for the Washington, DC 20250; Telephone (202) to develop joint coexistence plans at the Meeting’ above. VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:05 Aug 17, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\18AUN1.SGM 18AUN1

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 160 / Thursday, August 18, 2016 / Notices 55171 Availability of Materials for the Animal Health (the Committee) advises DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Meeting: All written public comments the Secretary of Agriculture on matters will be compiled into a binder and of animal health, including means to Animal and Plant Health Inspection available for review at the meeting. prevent, conduct surveillance on, Service Duplicate comments from multiple monitor, control, or eradicate animal [Docket No. APHIS–2016–0058] individuals will appear as one diseases of national importance. In comment, with a notation that multiple doing so, the Committee will consider Notice of Request for a Revision to and copies of the comment were received. public health, conservation of natural Extension of Approval of an Please visit the Web site listed above to resources, and the stability of livestock Information Collection; Tuberculosis learn more about the agenda for or economies. reports resulting from this meeting. Tentative topics for discussion at the AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Meeting Accommodations: The meeting include: Inspection Service, USDA. meeting will be open to the public, but • Human infections with Salmonella ACTION: Revision to and extension of space is limited. USDA is committed to associated with contact with live approval of an information collection; ensuring that all employees are poultry; comment request. included in our work environment, • Emerging diseases implementation programs and events. If you are a person guide; SUMMARY: In accordance with the with a disability and request reasonable • Emerging disease response; Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this accommodations to participate in this • Comprehensive integrated animal notice announces the Animal and Plant meeting, please note the request in your health surveillance; Health Inspection Service’s intention to registration. All reasonable • VS stakeholder engagement; request a revision to and extension of accommodation requests are managed • Foot and mouth disease vaccine approval of an information collection on a case by case basis. availability; associated with the tuberculosis • National bio and agro-defense regulations. Issued at Washington, DC, August 11, 2016. facility update and request for input on DATES: We will consider all comments Catherine E. Woteki, process for identifying stakeholder that we receive on or before October 17, priorities; 2016. Under Secretary, Research, Education and Economics. • How to maximize effectiveness of ADDRESSES: You may submit comments the committee; and by either of the following methods: [FR Doc. 2016–19720 Filed 8–17–16; 8:45 am] • Potential agenda items for the • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to BILLING CODE 3410–03–P 2016–2018 committee term. http://www.regulations.gov/ A final agenda will be posted on the #!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2016-0058. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Committee Web site. • Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Those wishing to attend the meeting Send your comment to Docket No. Animal and Plant Health Inspection in person must complete a brief APHIS–2016–0058, Regulatory Analysis Service registration form by clicking on the and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station ‘‘SACAH Meeting Sign-Up’’ button on 3A–03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, [Docket No. APHIS–2016–0056] the Committee’s Web site (http:// Riverdale, MD 20737–1238. www.aphis.usda.gov/animalhealth/ Supporting documents and any Secretary’s Advisory Committee on sacah). Members of the public may also Animal Health; Meeting comments we receive on this docket join the meeting via teleconference in may be viewed at http:// AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health ‘‘listen-only’’ mode. Participants who www.regulations.gov/ Inspection Service, USDA. wish to listen in on the teleconference #!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2016-0058 or ACTION: Notice of meeting. may do so by dialing 888–945–5893 and in our reading room, which is located in then entering the public passcode room 1141 of the USDA South Building, SUMMARY: This is a notice to inform the 5309315#. Oral comments from the 14th Street and Independence Avenue public of an upcoming meeting of the public will be accepted at SW., Washington, DC. Normal reading Secretary’s Advisory Committee on approximately 1:15 p.m. each day. room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Animal Health. The meeting is being Questions and written statements for Monday through Friday, except organized by the Animal and Plant the Committee’s consideration may be holidays. To be sure someone is there to Health Inspection Service to discuss submitted up to 5 working days before help you, please call (202) 799–7039 matters of animal health. the meeting. They may be sent to before coming. DATES: The meeting will be held on SACAH.Management@aphis.usda.gov or FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For September 7 and 8, 2016, from 9 a.m. to mailed to the person listed under FOR information on the domestic 5 p.m. each day. FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. The tuberculosis program, contact Dr. C. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in statement must also reference Docket William Hench, Cattle Health Center the Williamsburg, Room 104–A of the Number APHIS–2016–0056. Staff Veterinarian, Surveillance, USDA Headquarters, 1400 This notice of meeting is given Preparedness and Response Services, Independence Avenue SW., Washington pursuant to section 10 of the Federal Veterinary Services, APHIS, 2150 Centre DC 20050. Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80526–8117; FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. 2). (970) 494–7378. For copies of more rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Diane Sutton, Designated Federal Done in Washington, DC, this 12th day of detailed information on the information Officer, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road August 2016. collection, contact Ms. Kimberly Hardy, Unit 43, Riverdale, MD 20737; phone Kevin Shea, APHIS’ Information Collection (301) 851–3509, email Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Coordinator, at (301) 851–2727. SACAH.Management@aphis.usda.gov. Inspection Service. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The [FR Doc. 2016–19737 Filed 8–17–16; 8:45 am] Title: Tuberculosis. Secretary’s Advisory Committee on BILLING CODE 3410–34–P OMB Control Number: 0579–0146. VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:05 Aug 17, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\18AUN1.SGM 18AUN1


Document Created: 2016-08-17 23:46:42
Document Modified: 2016-08-17 23:46:42
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice of public meeting.
DatesThe meeting will be held on Thursday-Friday, September 8-9, 2016, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. This meeting is open to the public. On September 8, 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
ContactGeneral 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 Citation81 FR 55170 
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