81 FR 9419 - Notice of the Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture Meeting

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 37 (February 25, 2016)

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; listen to presentations from outside experts on topics relevant to the work of the AC21; and continue overall discussions on the committee charge and planning subsequent work.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 37 (Thursday, February 25, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9419-9420]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04025]


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Notices
                                                Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 37 / Thursday, February 25, 2016 / 
Notices

[[Page 9419]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Notice of the Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st 
Century Agriculture Meeting

AGENCY: Office of the Under Secretary, Research, Education, and 
Economics, 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 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; listen to presentations from outside experts on topics 
relevant to the work of the AC21; and continue overall discussions on 
the committee charge and planning subsequent work.

DATES: The meeting will be held on Monday-Tuesday, March 14-15, 2016, 
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. This meeting is open to the public. On 
March 14, 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: Room 107A, USDA Jamie L. Whitten Federal Building, 12th and 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250.

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 last 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?
    In devising an 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 listen to presentations from outside experts on topics 
relevant to the work of the AC21; and
     to continue overall discussions on the committee charge 
and planning subsequent 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 February 
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 March 14, 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

[[Page 9420]]

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 March 9, 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 16th day of February 2016.
Catherine E. Woteki,
Under Secretary, Research, Education and Economics.
[FR Doc. 2016-04025 Filed 2-24-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-03-P