Office of the Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics; Notice of the Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture Meeting, 71933-71934 [2011-30027]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 224 / Monday, November 21, 2011 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request November 15, 2011. emcdonald on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 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, DC 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 the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Food and Nutrition Service Title: National School Lunch Program Direct Certification Improvement Study. OMB Control Number: 0584–0529. Summary of Collection: Direct certification enables children in households that receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or other public assistance program benefits to be certified to receive free school meals without application. The Child Nutrition and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) Reauthorization Act VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:00 Nov 18, 2011 Jkt 226001 of 2004 (Pub. L. 108–265) required States and local education agencies to use direct certification. The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) issued a new guideline, effective for school year 2009–2010, that direct certification must apply to all students in the household, to the extent possible, if any household member receives SNAP, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservation, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits. Need and Use of the Information: In order for FNS to meet the study objectives, the project will include three data collection efforts: (1) A Web-based national survey of States and local nutrition program administration; (2) inperson interviews conducted with State and district-level staff responsible for direct certification in seven case study States; and (3) an exploration of unmatched SNAP participant records and National School Lunch Program application in case study States. If the data are not collected, FNS will not have the information it needs to address the study objectives. Description of Respondents: State, Local, or Tribal Government. Number of Respondents: 6,513. Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (one-time). Total Burden Hours: 3,728. Ruth Brown, Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 2011–29952 Filed 11–18–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–30–P 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 meeting. AGENCY: 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 December 6–7, 2011, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. ADDRESSES: Room 1107, U.S. Department of State, 2201 C Street NW., Washington, DC 20520. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Schechtman, Designated Federal Official, Office of the Deputy SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 71933 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. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The next meeting of the AC21 has been scheduled for December 6–7, 2011. 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 Department of State, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Council on Environmental Quality, and the Office of the United States Trade Representative have been invited to serve as ‘‘ex officio’’ members. The Committee meeting will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on each day. The topics to be discussed will include: (1) Considering reports of two working groups on their initial deliberations relating to size and scope of risks and to potential compensation mechanisms; (2) listening to presentations from outside experts on topics relevant to the work of the AC21; and (3) continuing overall discussions on the Committee charge and planning subsequent work. Background information regarding the work and membership of the AC21 will be made available on the USDA Web site at https://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/ usda/usdahome?contentid=AC21Main. xml&contentidonly=true. Members of the public who wish to make oral statements should also inform Dr. Schechtman in writing or via Email at the indicated addresses at least three business days before the meeting. On December 6, 2011, if time permits, reasonable provision will be made for oral presentations of no more than five minutes each in duration. The meeting will be open to the public, but space is limited and security requirements at the venue dictate that all attendees must be pre-registered for clearance in order to enter the building. If you would like to attend the meetings, you must register by contacting Ms. Dianne Fowler at (202) 720–4074 or by Email at Dianne.fowler@ars.usda.gov at least 7 days prior to the meeting. Please provide your name, title, business affiliation, address, telephone, fax number, date of birth, and identifying data (drivers license or passport number) when you register. If you are a person with a disability and request E:\FR\FM\21NON1.SGM 21NON1 71934 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 224 / Monday, November 21, 2011 / Notices 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. Dated: November 16, 2011. Catherine E. Woteki, Under Secretary, Research, Education and Economics. [FR Doc. 2011–30027 Filed 11–18–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–03–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Farm Service Agency Information Collection; Direct Loan Servicing—Special Farm Service Agency, USDA. Notice; request for comments. AGENCY: ACTION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on a revision of a currently approved information collection that supports Direct Loan Servicing-Special programs. The information is used in eligibility and feasibility determinations on borrower requests for disaster set-aside, primary loan servicing, buyout at market value, and homestead protection, as well as liquidation of security. DATES: We will consider comments that we receive by January 20, 2012. ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit comments on this notice. In your comments, include the date, volume, and page number of this issue of the Federal Register, the OMB control number and the title of the information collection. You may submit comments by any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. • Mail: J. Lee Nault, Loan Specialist, USDA/FSA/FLP, STOP 0523, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250–0520. • Email: lee.nault@wdc.usda.gov. • Fax: (202) 690–0949. You may also send comments to the Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503. Copies of the information collection may be requested by contacting J. Lee Nault at the above address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: J. Lee Nault, Loan Specialist, Farm Service Agency, (202) 720–6834. emcdonald on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:00 Nov 18, 2011 Jkt 226001 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: (7 CFR part 766) Farm Loan Programs—Direct Loan ServicingSpecial. OMB Number: 0560–0233. Expiration Date: 01/31/2014. Type of Request: Revision. Abstract: FSA is revising a currently approved information collection to add two new forms which would allow certain borrowers to: (1) Request a new notification of loan servicing options available; and (2) complete a new loan servicing application. FSA’s Farm Loan Programs provide loans to family farmers to purchase real estate and equipment and finance agricultural production. Direct Loan Servicing—Special, as specified in 7 CFR part 766, provides the requirements for servicing financially distressed and delinquent direct loan borrowers. FSA’s loan servicing options include disaster set-aside, primary loan servicing (including reamortization, rescheduling, deferral, write down and conservation contracts), buyout at market value, and homestead protection. FSA also services borrowers who file bankruptcy or liquidate security when servicing options are not available or are insufficient to produce a feasible plan. The information collections contained in the regulation are necessary to evaluate a borrower’s request for consideration of the special servicing actions. Respondents: Individuals or households, businesses or other for profit farms. Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 14,929. Estimated Number of Reponses per Respondent: 1. Total Annual Responses: 27,905. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 15,832. We are requesting comments on all aspects of this information collection and to help us to: (1) Evaluate whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the FSA, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) Evaluate the accuracy of the FSA’s estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) Enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) 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. PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 All comments received in response to this notice, including names and addresses when provided, will be a matter of public record. Comments will be summarized and included in the submission for Office of Management and Budget approval. Signed on: November 15, 2011. Bruce Nelson, Administrator, Farm Service Agency. [FR Doc. 2011–30031 Filed 11–18–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–05–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Farm Service Agency Tobacco Transition Payment Program; Availability of Current Assessment Methods Determination Document Commodity Credit Corporation and Farm Service Agency, USDA. ACTION: Notice of availability of determinations. AGENCY: The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) is making available a document regarding two consolidated determinations with respect to the current methods used to calculate manufacturer and importer assessments that fund the Tobacco Transition Payment Program (TTPP). It is in response to challenges raised in two lawsuits—Prime Time International Co. v. Vilsack et al. and Philip Morris USA Inc. v. Vilsack et al.—involving the terms and construction of the Fair and Equitable Tobacco Reform Act of 2004 (FETRA). Both matters involve the question of what is a ‘‘share of gross domestic volume’’ within the meaning of FETRA and the question of what is to be done with those ‘‘shares’’ in calculating program liabilities. Because the outcomes of these two lawsuits have the potential to affect not only the plaintiffs, but also all other importers and manufacturers, public availability of a USDA determination is warranted. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jane Reed, phone: (202) 720–6782; mail: Farm Service Agency, USDA, ATTN: Jane Reed, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency, Economic and Policy Analysis Staff, Mail stop 0515, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington DC 20250–0515; email: jane.reed@wdc.usda.gov; fax: (202) 720–8120. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FETRA (7 U.S.C. 518–519a), which was contained SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\21NON1.SGM 21NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 224 (Monday, November 21, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71933-71934]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-30027]


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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 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 December 6-7, 2011, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
each day.

ADDRESSES: Room 1107, U.S. Department of State, 2201 C Street NW., 
Washington, DC 20520.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The next meeting of the AC21 has been 
scheduled for December 6-7, 2011. 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 Department of State, the Environmental Protection Agency, 
the Council on Environmental Quality, and the Office of the United 
States Trade Representative have been invited to serve as ``ex 
officio'' members. The Committee meeting will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 
5 p.m. on each day. The topics to be discussed will include: (1) 
Considering reports of two working groups on their initial 
deliberations relating to size and scope of risks and to potential 
compensation mechanisms; (2) listening to presentations from outside 
experts on topics relevant to the work of the AC21; and (3) continuing 
overall discussions on the Committee charge and planning subsequent 
work.
    Background information regarding the work and membership of the 
AC21 will be made available on the USDA Web site at https://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=AC21Main.xml&contentidonly=true. Members of the 
public who wish to make oral statements should also inform Dr. 
Schechtman in writing or via Email at the indicated addresses at least 
three business days before the meeting. On December 6, 2011, if time 
permits, reasonable provision will be made for oral presentations of no 
more than five minutes each in duration.
    The meeting will be open to the public, but space is limited and 
security requirements at the venue dictate that all attendees must be 
pre-registered for clearance in order to enter the building. If you 
would like to attend the meetings, you must register by contacting Ms. 
Dianne Fowler at (202) 720-4074 or by Email at 
Dianne.fowler@ars.usda.gov at least 7 days prior to the meeting. Please 
provide your name, title, business affiliation, address, telephone, fax 
number, date of birth, and identifying data (drivers license or 
passport number) when you register. If you are a person with a 
disability and request

[[Page 71934]]

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.

    Dated: November 16, 2011.
Catherine E. Woteki,
Under Secretary, Research, Education and Economics.
[FR Doc. 2011-30027 Filed 11-18-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-03-P
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