Office of the Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics; Notice of the Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture Meeting, 55170-55171 [2016-19720]

Download as PDF 55170 Notices Federal Register Vol. 81, No. 160 Thursday, August 18, 2016 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. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Office of the Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics; Notice of the Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture Meeting Agricultural Research Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of public meeting. AGENCY: 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 https:// 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) rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:05 Aug 17, 2016 Jkt 238001 720–3817; Fax (202) 690–4265; Email AC21@ars.usda.gov 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 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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 identitypreserved 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 https://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 Dianne.fowler@ars.usda.gov 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 AC21@ars.usda.gov. 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. E:\FR\FM\18AUN1.SGM 18AUN1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 160 / Thursday, August 18, 2016 / Notices 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 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2016–0056] Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Animal Health; Meeting Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of meeting. AGENCY: This is a notice to inform the public of an upcoming meeting of the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Animal Health. The meeting is being organized by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to discuss matters of animal health. DATES: The meeting will be held on September 7 and 8, 2016, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the Williamsburg, Room 104–A of the USDA Headquarters, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington DC 20050. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Diane Sutton, Designated Federal Officer, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 43, Riverdale, MD 20737; phone (301) 851–3509, email SACAH.Management@aphis.usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Secretary’s Advisory Committee on rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:05 Aug 17, 2016 Jkt 238001 Animal Health (the Committee) advises the Secretary of Agriculture on matters of animal health, including means to prevent, conduct surveillance on, monitor, control, or eradicate animal diseases of national importance. In doing so, the Committee will consider public health, conservation of natural resources, and the stability of livestock economies. Tentative topics for discussion at the meeting include: • Human infections with Salmonella associated with contact with live poultry; • Emerging diseases implementation guide; • Emerging disease response; • Comprehensive integrated animal health surveillance; • VS stakeholder engagement; • Foot and mouth disease vaccine availability; • National bio and agro-defense facility update and request for input on process for identifying stakeholder priorities; • How to maximize effectiveness of the committee; and • Potential agenda items for the 2016–2018 committee term. A final agenda will be posted on the Committee Web site. Those wishing to attend the meeting in person must complete a brief registration form by clicking on the ‘‘SACAH Meeting Sign-Up’’ button on the Committee’s Web site (https:// www.aphis.usda.gov/animalhealth/ sacah). Members of the public may also join the meeting via teleconference in ‘‘listen-only’’ mode. Participants who wish to listen in on the teleconference may do so by dialing 888–945–5893 and then entering the public passcode 5309315#. Oral comments from the public will be accepted at approximately 1:15 p.m. each day. Questions and written statements for the Committee’s consideration may be submitted up to 5 working days before the meeting. They may be sent to SACAH.Management@aphis.usda.gov or mailed to the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. The statement must also reference Docket Number APHIS–2016–0056. This notice of meeting is given pursuant to section 10 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. 2). Done in Washington, DC, this 12th day of August 2016. Kevin Shea, Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2016–19737 Filed 8–17–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 55171 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2016–0058] Notice of Request for a Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Tuberculosis Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Revision to and extension of approval of an information collection; comment request. AGENCY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s intention to request a revision to and extension of approval of an information collection associated with the tuberculosis regulations. SUMMARY: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before October 17, 2016. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/ #!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2016-0058. • Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS–2016–0058, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A–03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737–1238. Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may be viewed at https:// www.regulations.gov/ #!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2016-0058 or in our reading room, which is located in room 1141 of the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, please call (202) 799–7039 before coming. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the domestic tuberculosis program, contact Dr. C. William Hench, Cattle Health Center Staff Veterinarian, Surveillance, Preparedness and Response Services, Veterinary Services, APHIS, 2150 Centre Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80526–8117; (970) 494–7378. For copies of more detailed information on the information collection, contact Ms. Kimberly Hardy, APHIS’ Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 851–2727. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Tuberculosis. OMB Control Number: 0579–0146. DATES: E:\FR\FM\18AUN1.SGM 18AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 160 (Thursday, August 18, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55170-55171]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-19720]


========================================================================
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.

========================================================================


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 https://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 AC21@ars.usda.gov 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 https://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 Dianne.fowler@ars.usda.gov 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 AC21@ars.usda.gov. 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
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