Office of the Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics; Notice of the Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture Meeting, 28047-28048 [2016-10807]

Download as PDF mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 89 / Monday, May 9, 2016 / Notices with cauliflower curds packed to be 4 inches or larger.’’ to the basic requirement for curd size. To explain the marking requirements, AMS proposes to add a new ‘‘§ 51.556 Marking Requirements,’’ which would read as follows: ‘‘When the product is packed to be less than 4 inches in maximum diameter, 90 percent or more of the master containers shall be plainly stamped, printed, labeled or otherwise marked with the maximum diameter. The term ‘maximum’ or its recognized abbreviation, when following a diameter size marking, means that the curds are of the size marked or smaller.’’ The current § 51.556, Metric Conversion Table, will be redesignated as § 51.557. The size revision and marking requirements would be interpreted as follows: When cauliflower curds are specified to be less than 4 inches in maximum diameter, at least 90 percent of the master containers in a lot must be marked by a maximum diameter of less than 4 inches. For example, a lot having curds no larger than 31⁄2 inches in diameter must have 90 percent or more of the master containers marked 31⁄2″ max. If less than 90 percent of the master containers are marked, the lot may meet grade requirements but would fail to meet marking requirements as to size. Furthermore, curds that are specified to be less than 4 inches in maximum diameter would not include cauliflower florets, since florets are pieces of curd and not considered small heads of cauliflower. Therefore, florets would not be certified to a grade. This revision would also affect the U.S. Commercial grade. The agricultural trade association had no objection to removing the ‘‘Unclassified’’ category from the standards. The unclassified section is being removed from all standards when they are revised. This category is not a grade and only serves to show that no grade has been applied to the lot. It is no longer considered necessary. AMS believes that permitting all colors, mixed-color packs, and smaller sizes of cauliflower to be certified to a grade reflects current marketing practices and consumer demand, and will facilitate the marketing of cauliflower by providing the industry with more flexibility. The official grade of a lot of cauliflower covered by these standards will be determined by the procedures set forth in the Regulations Governing Inspection, Certification, and Standards of Fresh Fruits, Vegetables and Other Products (Sec. 51.1 to 51.61). This notice provides a 60-day period during which interested parties may VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:44 May 06, 2016 Jkt 238001 comment on the proposed revisions to the standards. This period is deemed appropriate in order to implement these changes, if adopted, as soon as possible to reflect current marketing practices. Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621–1627. Dated: May 3, 2016. Elanor Starmer, Administrator. [FR Doc. 2016–10741 Filed 5–6–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–02–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 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: consider work of the three ad hoc subgroups on the progress of their analyses relevant to the new AC21 charge; discuss a draft outline for the committee’s next report and selected draft content, including a draft guidance document for producers and a draft model for facilitating local conversations around coexistence; and continue overall discussions on the committee charge and planning the completion of its work. DATES: The meeting will be held on Monday–Tuesday, June 13–14, 2016, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. This meeting is open to the public. On June 13, 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 SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 28047 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 E:\FR\FM\09MYN1.SGM 09MYN1 mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES 28048 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 89 / Monday, May 9, 2016 / Notices Federal government assist in that process? At the AC21’s last meeting, on March 14–15, 2016, AC21 members reached a general agreement on the main content elements of the upcoming report. In devising their 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 discuss a draft outline for the committee’s next report and selected draft content, including a draft guidance document for producers and a draft model for facilitating local conversations around coexistence; and • to continue overall discussions on the committee charge and planning the completion of its work. 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. 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 Dianne.fowler@ars.usda.gov by May 25, 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 June 13, 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:44 May 06, 2016 Jkt 238001 comments must arrive by June 8, 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 2nd day of May. Ann M. Bartuska, Deputy Under Secretary, Research, Education and Economics. [FR Doc. 2016–10807 Filed 5–6–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–03–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Food Safety and Inspection Service [Docket No. FSIS–2016–0015] Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection (Import of Undenatured Inedible Product) Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing its intention to renew the approved information collection regarding the importation of undenatured inedible meat and egg products into the United States. The approval for this information collection will expire on August 31, 2016. SUMMARY: Submit comments on or before July 8, 2016. ADDRESSES: FSIS invites interested persons to submit comments on this DATES: PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 information collection. Comments may be submitted by one of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: This Web site provides the ability to type short comments directly into the comment field on this Web page or attach a file for lengthier comments. Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions at that site for submitting comments. • Mail, including CD–ROMs, etc.: Send to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Docket Clerk, Patriots Plaza 3, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Mailstop 3782, Room 8– 163A, Washington, DC 20250–3700. • Hand- or courier-delivered submittals: Deliver to Patriots Plaza 3, 355 E Street SW., Room 8–163A, Washington, DC 20250–3700. Instructions: All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must include the Agency name and docket number FSIS– 2016–0015. Comments received in response to this docket will be made available for public inspection and posted without change, including any personal information, to https:// www.regulations.gov. Docket: For access to background documents or comments received, go to the FSIS Docket Room at Patriots Plaza 3, 355 E Street SW., Room 8–164, Washington, DC 20250–3700 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gina Kouba, Paperwork Reduction Act Coordinator, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 6065, South Building, Washington, DC 20250; (202) 720–5627. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Import of Undenatured Inedible Product. OMB Control Number: 0583–0161. Type of Request: Renewal of an approved information collection. Abstract: FSIS has been delegated the authority to exercise the functions of the Secretary of Agriculture (7 CFR 2.18, 2.53) as specified in the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) (21 U.S.C. 601, et seq.) and the Egg Products Inspection Act (EPIA) (21 U.S.C. 1031, et seq.). FSIS protects the public by verifying that meat and egg products are safe, wholesome, not adulterated, and correctly labeled. FSIS is planning to request a renewal of this approved information collection because it is due to expire on August 31, 2016. There are no changes to the existing information collection. Foreign governments are to petition FSIS for approval to import E:\FR\FM\09MYN1.SGM 09MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 89 (Monday, May 9, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28047-28048]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-10807]


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

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: consider work of the three 
ad hoc subgroups on the progress of their analyses relevant to the new 
AC21 charge; discuss a draft outline for the committee's next report 
and selected draft content, including a draft guidance document for 
producers and a draft model for facilitating local conversations around 
coexistence; and continue overall discussions on the committee charge 
and planning the completion of its work.

DATES: The meeting will be held on Monday-Tuesday, June 13-14, 2016, 
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. This meeting is open to the public. On 
June 13, 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

[[Page 28048]]

Federal government assist in that process?
    At the AC21's last meeting, on March 14-15, 2016, AC21 members 
reached a general agreement on the main content elements of the 
upcoming report. In devising their 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 discuss a draft outline for the committee's next report 
and selected draft content, including a draft guidance document for 
producers and a draft model for facilitating local conversations around 
coexistence; and
     to continue overall discussions on the committee charge 
and planning the completion of its work.
    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.
    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 Dianne.fowler@ars.usda.gov by May 25, 
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 June 13, 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 
June 8, 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 2nd day of May.
Ann M. Bartuska,
Deputy Under Secretary, Research, Education and Economics.
[FR Doc. 2016-10807 Filed 5-6-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-03-P
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