Office of the Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics; Notice of the Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture Meeting, 60311-60312 [E7-20914]

Download as PDF yshivers on PROD1PC62 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 205 / Wednesday, October 24, 2007 / Notices 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 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. Background information regarding the work of the AC21, including reports already developed by the Committee, is available on the USDA Web site at https://www.usda.gov/ wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB ?navid=BIOTECH&parentnav =AGRICULTURE&navtype=RT. Over the next two years, it is expected that the AC21 will undertake work specifically related to transgenic animal technologies, and, if time permits, begin work on additional topics under the Committee’s charge. Nominations for AC21 membership must be in writing and provide the appropriate background documents required by USDA policy, including background disclosure form AD–755. All nomination materials should be sent to Michael Schechtman at the address listed in the ADDRESSES section. Forms may also be submitted by fax to (202) 690–4265. 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 Dianne.harmon@ars.usda.gov. 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 VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:33 Oct 23, 2007 Jkt 214001 away from home or their regular place of business, those members will be eligible for travel expenses paid by the Office of the Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics, 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. All nominations must be post-marked no later than [the date set forth above]. Dated: October 16, 2007. Jeremy Stump, Senior Advisor for International and Homeland Security Affairs and Biotechnology. [FR Doc. E7–20912 Filed 10–23–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–03–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Research Service 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 meeting. AGENCY: SUMMARY: In accordance with 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). DATES: The meeting dates are November 28, 2007, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and November 29, 2007, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. ADDRESSES: Waugh Auditorium, USDA Economic Research Service, Third Floor, South Tower, 1800 M Street, NW., Washington, DC 20036. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Schechtman, Telephone (202) 720–3817. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The seventeenth meeting of the AC21 has been scheduled for November 28–29, 2007. The AC21 consists of 23 members representing the biotechnology industry, farmers, food manufacturers, commodity processors and shippers, PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 60311 livestock handlers, environmental and consumer groups, and academic researchers. In addition, representatives from the Departments of Commerce, Health and Human Services, and State, and the Environmental Protection Agency, the Council on Environmental Quality, the Office of the United States Trade Representative, and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture serve as ‘‘ex officio’’ members. At this meeting, there will be several objectives: (1) To complete all substantive work on a paper addressing the question, ‘‘What issues should USDA consider regarding coexistence among diverse agricultural systems in a dynamic, evolving, and complex marketplace?’’ and develop a plan for finalizing the paper and presenting it to the Office of the Secretary, USDA; (2) to discuss the new Biotechnology Quality Management System proposed by USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and offer views on a series of questions relating to its implementation; and (3) to plan initial AC21 work related to transgenic animals. Background information regarding the work of the AC21 will be available on the USDA Web site at https://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/ _s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?navid=BIOTECH& parentnav=AGRICULTURE &navtype=RT. Requests to make oral presentations at the meeting may be sent to Michael Schechtman, Designated Federal Official, Office of the Deputy Secretary, USDA, 202 B Jamie L. Whitten Federal Building, 12th Street and Jefferson Drive, SW., Washington, DC 20250, Telephone (202) 720–3817; Fax (202) 690–4265; E-mail Michael.schechtman@ars.usda.gov. On November 28, 2007, if time permits, reasonable provision will be made for oral presentations of no more than five minutes each in duration. Written requests to make oral presentations at the meeting must be received by the contact person identified herein at least three business days before the meeting. The meeting will be open to the public, but space is limited. If you would like to attend the meetings, you must register by contacting Ms. Dianne Harmon at (202) 720–4074, by fax at (202) 720– 3191 or by e-mail at Dianne.harmon@ars.usda.gov at least five business days prior to the meeting. Please provide your name, title, business affiliation, address, and telephone and fax numbers when you register. If you require a sign language interpreter or other special accommodation due to disability, please E:\FR\FM\24OCN1.SGM 24OCN1 60312 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 205 / Wednesday, October 24, 2007 / Notices indicate those needs at the time of registration. Dated: October 16, 2007. Jeremy Stump, Senior Advisor for International and Homeland Security Affairs and Biotechnology. [FR Doc. E7–20914 Filed 10–23–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–03–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Farm Service Agency Emergency Conservation Program; Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement Farm Service Agency, USDA. Notice of intent; request for comments. AGENCY: yshivers on PROD1PC62 with NOTICES ACTION: SUMMARY: The Farm Service Agency (FSA) announces its intention to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP). The SEIS will assess the potential environmental impacts of alternatives for administration and implementation of the ECP. FSA administers this program and is now conducting a comprehensive review of its current policies, achievements, and potential future program changes. FSA will be analyzing a range of ECP program alternatives. The SEIS also provides a means for the public to have opportunities to voice any opinions they may have about the program, and any ideas for improving it in the future. This Notice of Intent (NOI) informs the public that FSA is requesting public comment and describes in general the description of preliminary ECP Alternatives that will be analyzed in the Draft SEIS. DATES: To ensure that the full range of issues and alternatives related to the ECP are addressed, FSA invites comments. Comments should be submitted by close of business on December 24, 2007, to ensure full consideration. Comments submitted after this date will be considered to the extent possible. ADDRESSES: Written comments on the scope of the Draft SEIS and requests for copies of should be directed to ECP SEIS, Geo-Marine Incorporated, 2713 Magruder Blvd., Suite D, Hampton, VA 23666–1572; or by logging on to https://public.geo-marine.com to obtain state specific public scoping meetings dates, locations, directions, and comment forms. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matthew T. Ponish, National VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:33 Oct 23, 2007 Jkt 214001 Environmental Compliance Manager, USDA/FSA/CEPD/Stop 0513, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250–0513, (202) 720–6853, or e-mail at: Matthew.Ponish@wdc.usda.gov. More detailed information on ECP may be obtained from FSA’s Web site: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp ?area=home&subject=copr&topic=ecp. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The SEIS is being prepared on the ECP to provide FSA decision makers and the public with an analysis that evaluates program effects in appropriate contexts, describes the intensity of adverse as well as beneficial impacts, and addresses cumulative impacts of ECP. Title IV of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978, as amended (codified at 16 U.S.C. 2201–2205) authorized the ECP, which provides emergency funding for farmers and ranchers to rehabilitate farmland damaged by wind erosion, floods, hurricanes, or other natural disasters, and for carrying out emergency water conservation measures during periods of severe drought. Conservation problems existing prior to the disaster involved are not eligible for cost-sharing assistance. ECP is administered by FSA State and county committees. The SEIS will help FSA to review potential environmental impacts resulting from this program and the results will be used in implementing and modifying ECP administration and funding. The Record of Decision resulting from the SEIS will serve as guidance to FSA program decision makers when considering future ECP changes. Public Participation The public is urged to participate in helping to define the scope of the proposed Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. In addition to allowing the opportunity to comment via mail and e-mail at the addresses listed previously, FSA plans to hold ten public scoping meetings to provide information and opportunities for discussing the issues and alternatives to be covered in the Draft SEIS and to receive oral and written comments. The meetings will be held in AL, CA, GA, FL, LA, MO, and TX. Each scoping meeting will be conducted in the evening to allow the greatest opportunity for public input. Please check https://public.geo-marine.com for meeting locations, times, directions, and comment forms. Description of Preliminary SEIS Alternatives FSA has developed a set of preliminary alternatives to be studied in the draft SEIS to initiate the process. PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 The alternatives will be amended, as appropriate, based on input by the public and agencies during the public scoping process. The SEIS will address the following alternatives, which include recommended changes to the program. Action (baseline) Under this alternative, ECP would continue as it is currently administered with no substantive changes. Alternative A This alternative would consider changes to land eligibility that would make ECP available for assistance on farmlands other than cropland, pastureland, and hayland. Alternative B This alternative would make current ECP available only in those counties where disasters designated by the President or Secretary of Agriculture have occurred. Alternative C Alternative C would be a combination of Alternatives A and B. Under this alternative, farmlands, other than cropland, pastureland and hayland, in counties designated as disasters by the President or Secretary of Agriculture would be eligible for participation in ECP. Signed in Washington, DC, on October 4, 2007. Teresa C. Lasseter, Administrator, Farm Service Agency. [FR Doc. E7–20961 Filed 10–23–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–05–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Food and Nutrition Service Emergency Food Assistance Program; Allocation Formula Food and Nutrition Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: This notice invites State and local agencies involved in the administration of The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and the general public to comment on the intent of the Department to modify the data sources used to calculate the formula for allocating TEFAP commodities and administrative funds among State agencies. Data sources currently used to allocate these resources have been used for a number of years. However, more accurate, reliable, and up-to-date data sources for gauging poverty and unemployment and, ultimately, each E:\FR\FM\24OCN1.SGM 24OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 205 (Wednesday, October 24, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60311-60312]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-20914]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Research Service


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 meeting.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with 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).

DATES: The meeting dates are November 28, 2007, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 
November 29, 2007, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

ADDRESSES: Waugh Auditorium, USDA Economic Research Service, Third 
Floor, South Tower, 1800 M Street, NW., Washington, DC 20036.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Schechtman, Telephone (202) 
720-3817.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The seventeenth meeting of the AC21 has been 
scheduled for November 28-29, 2007. The AC21 consists of 23 members 
representing the biotechnology industry, farmers, food manufacturers, 
commodity processors and shippers, livestock handlers, environmental 
and consumer groups, and academic researchers. In addition, 
representatives from the Departments of Commerce, Health and Human 
Services, and State, and the Environmental Protection Agency, the 
Council on Environmental Quality, the Office of the United States Trade 
Representative, and the National Association of State Departments of 
Agriculture serve as ``ex officio'' members. At this meeting, there 
will be several objectives: (1) To complete all substantive work on a 
paper addressing the question, ``What issues should USDA consider 
regarding coexistence among diverse agricultural systems in a dynamic, 
evolving, and complex marketplace?'' and develop a plan for finalizing 
the paper and presenting it to the Office of the Secretary, USDA; (2) 
to discuss the new Biotechnology Quality Management System proposed by 
USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and offer views on a 
series of questions relating to its implementation; and (3) to plan 
initial AC21 work related to transgenic animals. Background information 
regarding the work of the AC21 will be available on the USDA Web site 
at https://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/--s.7--0--A/7--0--
1OB?navid=BIOTECH&parentnav=AGRICULTURE&navtype=RT.
    Requests to make oral presentations at the meeting may be sent to 
Michael Schechtman, Designated Federal Official, Office of the Deputy 
Secretary, USDA, 202 B Jamie L. Whitten Federal Building, 12th Street 
and Jefferson Drive, SW., Washington, DC 20250, Telephone (202) 720-
3817; Fax (202) 690-4265; E-mail Michael.schechtman@ars.usda.gov. On 
November 28, 2007, if time permits, reasonable provision will be made 
for oral presentations of no more than five minutes each in duration. 
Written requests to make oral presentations at the meeting must be 
received by the contact person identified herein at least three 
business days before the meeting. The meeting will be open to the 
public, but space is limited. If you would like to attend the meetings, 
you must register by contacting Ms. Dianne Harmon at (202) 720-4074, by 
fax at (202) 720-3191 or by e-mail at Dianne.harmon@ars.usda.gov at 
least five business days prior to the meeting. Please provide your 
name, title, business affiliation, address, and telephone and fax 
numbers when you register. If you require a sign language interpreter 
or other special accommodation due to disability, please

[[Page 60312]]

indicate those needs at the time of registration.

    Dated: October 16, 2007.
Jeremy Stump,
Senior Advisor for International and Homeland Security Affairs and 
Biotechnology.
 [FR Doc. E7-20914 Filed 10-23-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-03-P
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