Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture; Nominations, 59714-59715 [05-20478]

Download as PDF 59714 Notices Federal Register Vol. 70, No. 197 Thursday, October 13, 2005 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 Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request October 6, 2005. The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13. Comments regarding (a) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), OIRA_Submission@OMB.EOP.GOV or fax (202) 395–5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, D.C. 20250– 7602. Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720–8958. An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to VerDate Aug<31>2005 19:20 Oct 12, 2005 Jkt 208001 the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. National Agricultural Statistics Service Title: Field Crops Objective Yield. OMB Control Number: 0535–0088. Summary of Collection: The primary function of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is to prepare and issue current official State and national estimates of crop and livestock production. General authority for these data collection activities is granted under U.S. Code Title 7, Section 2204. This statue specifies the ‘‘The Secretary of Agriculture shall procure and preserve all information concerning agriculture which he can obtain * * * by the collection of statistics * * * and shall distribute them among agriculturists’’. Data is collected provides yield estimates for corn, cotton, potatoes, soybeans and wheat. The yield estimates are extremely important because they’re used in conjunction with price data to estimate production and in making policy decisions in agricultural sectors. Need and Use of the Information: NASS will collect information on sample fields of, corn, cotton, soybeans, potatoes, and winter, Durum and other Spring wheat. The information will be use to anticipate loan receipts and pricing of loan stocks for grains. Description of Respondents: Farms. Number of Respondents: 8,555. Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Monthly during growing season. Total Burden Hours: 3,058. Charlene Parker, Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 05–20479 Filed 10–12–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–20–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Research Service Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture; Nominations Office of the Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Agricultural Research Service is requesting nominations for PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 qualified persons to serve as members of the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture (AC21). The charge for the AC21 is two-fold: to examine the longterm impacts of biotechnology on the U.S. food and agriculture system and USDA; and to provide guidance to USDA on pressing individual issues, identified by the Office of the Secretary, related to the application of biotechnology in agriculture. DATES: Written nominations must be received by fax or postmarked on or before November 14, 2005. ADDRESSES: All nomination materials should be sent to Michael Schechtman, Designated Federal Official, Office of the Deputy Secretary, USDA, 202B Jamie L. Whitten Federal Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250. Forms may also be submitted by fax to (202) 690–4265. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions should be addressed to Michael Schechtman, Designated Federal Official, telephone (202) 720– 3817; fax (202) 690–4265; e-mail mschechtman@ars.usda.gov. To obtain form AD–755 ONLY please contact Dianne Harmon, Office of Pest Management Policy, telephone (202) 720–4074, fax (202) 720–3191; e-mail dharmon@ars.usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: AC21 members serve staggered 2-year terms, with terms for half of the Committee members expiring in any given year. Nominations are being sought for open Committee seats. The terms of 9 members of the AC21 will expire in early 2006. The AC21 Charter allows for flexibility to appoint up to a total of 10 members. Members can be reappointed to serve up to 6 consecutive years. Equal opportunity practices, in line with USDA policies, will be followed in all membership appointments to the Committee. To ensure that the recommendations of the Committee have taken into account the needs of the diverse groups served by USDA, membership shall include, to the extent practicable, individuals with demonstrated ability to represent minorities, women, and persons with disabilities. Nominees of the AC21 should have recognized expertise in one or more of the following areas: Recombinant-DNA (rDNA) research and applications using E:\FR\FM\13OCN1.SGM 13OCN1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 197 / Thursday, October 13, 2005 / Notices plants; rDNA research and applications using animals; rDNA research and applications using microbes; food science; silviculture and related forest science; fisheries science; ecology; veterinary medicine; the broad range of farming or agricultural practices; weed science; plant pathology; biodiversity; applicable laws and regulations relevant to agricultural biotechnology policy; risk assessment; consumer advocacy and public attitudes; public health/ epidemiology; ethics, including bioethics; human medicine; biotechnology industry activities and structure; intellectual property rights systems; and international trade. Members will be selected by the Secretary of Agriculture in order to achieve a balanced representation of viewpoints to address effectively USDA biotechnology policy issues under consideration. Over the next two years, it is expected that the AC21 will address topics related to biotechnology coexistence issues, priorities for development of biotechnology-derived crops other than major uses of commodity crops, transgenic animals, and perhaps other topics. Nominations for AC21 membership must be in writing and provide the appropriate background documents required by USDA policy, including background disclosure form AD–755. The AC21 meets in Washington, DC, up to four (4) times per year. The function of the AC21 is solely advisory. Members of the AC21 and its subcommittees serve without pay, but with reimbursement of travel expenses and per diem for attendance at AC21 and subcommittee functions for those AC21 members who require assistance in order to attend the meetings. While away from home or their regular place of business, those members will be eligible for travel expenses paid by REE, USDA, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at the same rate as a person employed intermittently in the government service is allowed under Section 5703 of Title 5, United States Code. Submitting Nominations: Nominations should be typed and include the following: 1. A brief summary of no more than two (2) pages explaining the nominee’s suitability to serve on the AC21. 2. A resume or curriculum vitae. 3. A completed copy of form AD–755. Nominations should be sent to Michael Schechtman at the address listed above, and be postmarked no later than November 14, 2005. VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:14 Oct 12, 2005 Jkt 208001 Dated: October 6, 2005. Bernice Slutsky, Senior Advisor to the Secretary for Biotechnology. [FR Doc. 05–20478 Filed 10–12–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–03–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Food and Nutrition Service Agency Information Collection Activities: Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Proposed Collection; Comment Request— Monitoring Trends in the Public Health Workforce Survey Food and Nutrition Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is publishing for public comment a summary of a proposed information collection. FNS wishes to monitor trends in education and training, work experience, areas of practice, and training needs of the public health and community nutrition workforce at the State and local government levels. A descriptive profile will assist FNS to determine the extent to which the current and future workforce has the necessary training to administer the WIC Program, for which FNS is responsible. DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by December 12, 2005 to be assured of consideration. ADDRESSES: Send comments and requests for copies of this proposed collection of information to Patricia N. Daniels, Director, Supplemental Food Programs Division; Food and Nutrition Service; 3101 Park Center Drive; Room 528; Alexandria, VA 22302–1500. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 59715 techniques or other forms of information technology. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB clearance. All comments will thus become public documents. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Debra Whitford, Chief, Policy and Program Development Branch, Supplemental Food Programs Division, Food and Nutrition Service, Department of Agriculture, (703) 305–2746. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Monitoring Trends in the Public Health Nutrition Workforce. OMB Number: Not yet assigned. Expiration Date: N/A. Type of Request: New collection of information. Abstract: The Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) wishes to obtain information to assess the agency’s efforts to recruit and retain public health and community nutritionists to staff the WIC Program. Goal 2, Objective 2.2 of the USDA/FNS Corporate Priorities focuses on improving agency support for Program management. This priority addresses management of human capital to ensure a high quality workforce and work environment that attracts and retains employees. Since 1992, FNS has been involved in an initiative targeted at assisting WIC State and local agencies in recruiting and retaining qualified nutrition staff. Recruitment and retention of qualified staff is essential to maintaining quality nutrition services by providing an environment where staff are appropriately selected, trained, and supported. Opportunities for ongoing training, job advancement, challenging duties, and competitive salaries are important considerations in recruiting and retaining qualified nutrition staff. Workforce profile data are essential to evaluate the impact of the agency’s effort to recruit and retain public health and community nutritionists. State nutrition directors use descriptive information about the community nutrition workforce in their respective States to support recruitment and retention efforts, design training programs, and advise on licensure and certification policy. According to the findings from previous workforce surveys conducted by the Association of State and Territorial Public Health Nutrition Directors, 90 percent of the public health and community nutrition workforce is employed in WIC Programs. This survey will be implemented as a Web-based survey to expedite the survey and data collection and analysis E:\FR\FM\13OCN1.SGM 13OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 197 (Thursday, October 13, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59714-59715]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-20478]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Research Service


Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture; 
Nominations

AGENCY: Office of the Under Secretary, Research, Education, and 
Economics, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Agricultural Research Service is requesting nominations 
for qualified persons to serve as members of the Secretary's Advisory 
Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture (AC21). The 
charge for the AC21 is two-fold: to examine the long-term impacts of 
biotechnology on the U.S. food and agriculture system and USDA; and to 
provide guidance to USDA on pressing individual issues, identified by 
the Office of the Secretary, related to the application of 
biotechnology in agriculture.

DATES: Written nominations must be received by fax or postmarked on or 
before November 14, 2005.

ADDRESSES: All nomination materials should be sent to Michael 
Schechtman, Designated Federal Official, Office of the Deputy 
Secretary, USDA, 202B Jamie L. Whitten Federal Building, 14th and 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250. Forms may also be 
submitted by fax to (202) 690-4265.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions should be addressed to 
Michael Schechtman, Designated Federal Official, telephone (202) 720-
3817; fax (202) 690-4265; e-mail mschechtman@ars.usda.gov. To obtain 
form AD-755 ONLY please contact Dianne Harmon, Office of Pest 
Management Policy, telephone (202) 720-4074, fax (202) 720-3191; e-mail 
dharmon@ars.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    AC21 members serve staggered 2-year terms, with terms for half of 
the Committee members expiring in any given year. Nominations are being 
sought for open Committee seats. The terms of 9 members of the AC21 
will expire in early 2006. The AC21 Charter allows for flexibility to 
appoint up to a total of 10 members. Members can be reappointed to 
serve up to 6 consecutive years. Equal opportunity practices, in line 
with USDA policies, will be followed in all membership appointments to 
the Committee. To ensure that the recommendations of the Committee have 
taken into account the needs of the diverse groups served by USDA, 
membership shall include, to the extent practicable, individuals with 
demonstrated ability to represent minorities, women, and persons with 
disabilities.
    Nominees of the AC21 should have recognized expertise in one or 
more of the following areas: Recombinant-DNA (rDNA) research and 
applications using

[[Page 59715]]

plants; rDNA research and applications using animals; rDNA research and 
applications using microbes; food science; silviculture and related 
forest science; fisheries science; ecology; veterinary medicine; the 
broad range of farming or agricultural practices; weed science; plant 
pathology; biodiversity; applicable laws and regulations relevant to 
agricultural biotechnology policy; risk assessment; consumer advocacy 
and public attitudes; public health/epidemiology; ethics, including 
bioethics; human medicine; biotechnology industry activities and 
structure; intellectual property rights systems; and international 
trade. Members will be selected by the Secretary of Agriculture in 
order to achieve a balanced representation of viewpoints to address 
effectively USDA biotechnology policy issues under consideration. Over 
the next two years, it is expected that the AC21 will address topics 
related to biotechnology coexistence issues, priorities for development 
of biotechnology-derived crops other than major uses of commodity 
crops, transgenic animals, and perhaps other topics.
    Nominations for AC21 membership must be in writing and provide the 
appropriate background documents required by USDA policy, including 
background disclosure form AD-755.
    The AC21 meets in Washington, DC, up to four (4) times per year. 
The function of the AC21 is solely advisory. Members of the AC21 and 
its subcommittees serve without pay, but with reimbursement of travel 
expenses and per diem for attendance at AC21 and subcommittee functions 
for those AC21 members who require assistance in order to attend the 
meetings. While away from home or their regular place of business, 
those members will be eligible for travel expenses paid by REE, USDA, 
including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at the same rate as a person 
employed intermittently in the government service is allowed under 
Section 5703 of Title 5, United States Code.
    Submitting Nominations: Nominations should be typed and include the 
following:
    1. A brief summary of no more than two (2) pages explaining the 
nominee's suitability to serve on the AC21.
    2. A resume or curriculum vitae.
    3. A completed copy of form AD-755.
    Nominations should be sent to Michael Schechtman at the address 
listed above, and be postmarked no later than November 14, 2005.

    Dated: October 6, 2005.
Bernice Slutsky,
Senior Advisor to the Secretary for Biotechnology.
[FR Doc. 05-20478 Filed 10-12-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-03-P

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.