Renewal of the Plant Variety Protection Board Charter, 16020-16021 [2017-06337]

Download as PDF sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES 16020 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 61 / Friday, March 31, 2017 / Notices not more than $1,100 per violation against any person who violates the Section 8e regulations. Investigators complete the form identifying the violation committed by the produce importer. Produce importers sign the SC–7 form to agree to pay the sum in full settlement. There is no burden associated as only a signature is required. The information collected through this package is used primarily by authorized representatives of the USDA, including AMS Specialty Crops Program regional and headquarters staff. Estimate of Burden: The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 5 minutes per response. Respondents: Importers and receivers of exempt commodities. Based on the information collected on the frequency of use for the forms, AMS has revised estimates of respondents and responses. Estimates of respondents and responses are calculated by taking the raw annual data collected from inspections on Section 8e crops entering the U.S. market and finding the three-year averages. These numbers represent an approximation of the annual burden given the frequent changes in number of respondents and responses from year to year. These estimates differ from the 2014 renewal burden as the numbers were compiled based on the highest number of respondents who could use the form and their frequencies instead of averages. Estimated Number of Respondents: 79. Estimated Number of Total Annual Responses: 6,867. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 87. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 568 hours. Comments are invited on: (1) 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; (2) 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; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) 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. All comments to this document will be summarized and included in the VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:31 Mar 30, 2017 Jkt 241001 request for OMB approval, and will become a matter of public record. Dated: March 27, 2017. Bruce Summers, Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. 2017–06336 Filed 3–30–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–02–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service [Document No. AMS–ST–16–0120] Renewal of the Plant Variety Protection Board Charter Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), this notice announces that the Secretary of Agriculture intends to renew the Plant Variety Protection Board (PVP Board) Charter. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Zankowski, USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Plant Variety Protection Office; 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 4512; Washington, DC 20250, or by telephone at (202) 720– 1128 or by internet: https:// www.regulations.gov, or by Email: paul.zankowski@ams.usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Plant Variety Protection Act (PVPA) (7 U.S.C. 2321 et seq.) provides legal protection in the form of intellectual property rights to developers of new varieties of plants, which are reproduced sexually by seed or are tuber-propagated. A Certificate of Plant Variety Protection is awarded to an owner of a crop variety after an examination shows that it is new, distinct from other varieties, and genetically uniform and stable through successive generations. The term of protection is 20 years for most crops and 25 years for trees, shrubs, and vines. The PVPA also provides for a statutory Board (7 U.S.C. 2327) to be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture. The duties of the Board are to: (1) Advise the Secretary concerning the adoption of rules and regulations to facilitate the proper administration of the Act; (2) provide advisory counsel to the Secretary on appeals concerning decisions on applications by the PVP Office and on requests for emergency public-interest compulsory licenses; and (3) advise the Secretary on any other matters under the Regulations and Rules of Practice and on all questions under Section 44 of the Act, ‘‘Public Interest SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 in Wide Usage’’ (7 U.S.C. 2404). Renewing the PVP Board is necessary and in the public interest. The PVPA provides that ‘‘the Board shall consist of individuals who are experts in various areas of varietal development covered by this Act.’’ The Board membership ‘‘shall include farmer representation and shall be drawn approximately equally from the private or seed industry sector and from the sector of government or the public.’’ The Board consists of 14 members, each of whom is appointed for a 2-year period, with no member appointed for more than three 2-year periods. Nominations are made by farmers’ associations, trade associations in the seed industry, professional associations representing expertise in seed technology, plant breeding, and variety development, public and private research and development institutions (13 members) and the USDA (one member). Equal opportunity practices, in agreement with USDA nondiscrimination policies, will be followed in all membership appointments to the Board. To ensure that the suggestions of the Board 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. The Charter for the PVP Board will be available on the Web site at: https:// www.ams.usda.gov/PVPO or may be requested by contacting the individual identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice. USDA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, or audiotape.) should contact USDA’s Target Center at 202–720–2600 (voice and TTY). To file a written complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250–9410 or call 202–720–5964 (voice and TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. E:\FR\FM\31MRN1.SGM 31MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 61 / Friday, March 31, 2017 / Notices Dated: March 27, 2017. Bruce Summers, Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. The types of foods the Department expects to make available to States for distribution through TEFAP in FY 2017 are described below. [FR Doc. 2017–06337 Filed 3–30–17; 8:45 am] Surplus Foods Surplus foods donated for distribution under TEFAP are Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) foods purchased under the authority of section 416 of the Agricultural Act of 1949, 7 U.S.C. 1431 (section 416) and foods purchased under the surplus removal authority of section 32 of the Act of August 24, 1935, 7 U.S.C. 612c (section 32). The types of foods typically purchased under section 416 include dairy, grains, oils, and peanut products. The types of foods purchased under section 32 include meat, poultry, fish, vegetables, dry beans, juices, and fruits. Approximately $115.7 million in surplus foods acquired in FY 2016 are being delivered to States in FY 2017. These foods include blueberries, cherries, cranberry juice, grape juice, grapefruit juice, orange juice, raisins, cheese, eggs, chicken, and salmon. Other surplus foods may be made available to TEFAP throughout the year. The Department would like to point out that food acquisitions are based on changing agricultural market conditions; therefore, the availability of foods is subject to change. BILLING CODE 3410–02–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Food and Nutrition Service Emergency Food Assistance Program; Availability of Foods for Fiscal Year 2017 Food and Nutrition Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: This notice announces the surplus and purchased foods that the Department expects to make available for donation to States for use in providing nutrition assistance to the needy under The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) in Fiscal Year (FY) 2017. The foods made available under this notice must, at the discretion of the State, be distributed to eligible recipient agencies (ERAs) for use in preparing meals and/or for distribution to households for home consumption. SUMMARY: DATES: Effective October 1, 2016. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Polly Fairfield, Policy Branch, Food Distribution Division, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, Virginia 22302–1594 or telephone (703) 305–2662. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the provisions set forth in the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 (EFAA), 7 U.S.C. 7501, et seq., and the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, 7 U.S.C. 2036, the Department makes foods available to States for use in providing nutrition assistance to those in need through TEFAP. In accordance with section 214 of the EFAA, 7 U.S.C. 7515, 60 percent of each State’s share of TEFAP foods is based on the number of people with incomes below the poverty level within the State and 40 percent on the number of unemployed persons within the State. State officials are responsible for establishing the network through which the foods will be used by ERAs in providing nutrition assistance to those in need and for allocating foods among those ERAs. States have full discretion in determining the amount of foods that will be made available to ERAs for use in preparing meals and/or for distribution to households for home consumption. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:31 Mar 30, 2017 Jkt 241001 Purchased Foods In accordance with section 27 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, 7 U.S.C. 2036, the Secretary is directed to purchase an estimated $299 million worth of foods in FY 2017 for distribution through TEFAP. These foods are made available to States in addition to those surplus foods which otherwise might be provided to States for distribution under TEFAP. For FY 2017, subject to the availability of appropriations, the Department anticipates purchasing the following foods for distribution through TEFAP: Fresh and dehydrated potatoes, fresh apples, fresh pears, unsweetened applesauce cups, frozen apple slices, frozen carrots, frozen peas, dried plums, dried fruit and nut mix, raisins, frozen ground beef, frozen chicken breast, frozen whole chicken, frozen ham, frozen catfish, dry lima beans, dry blackeye beans, dry garbanzo beans, dry great northern beans, dry light red kidney beans, dry pinto beans, dry lentils, egg mix, shell eggs, peanut butter and kosher peanut butter, roasted peanuts, low-fat cheese, one percent ultra high temperature fluid milk, vegetable oil, all-purpose flour, farina, low-fat bakery flour mix, unsalted crackers, egg noodles, white and yellow PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 16021 corn grits, whole grain oats, macaroni, spaghetti, whole grain rotini, whole grain spaghetti, whole grain macaroni, macaroni and cheese, white and brown rice, frozen whole wheat tortillas, corn flakes, wheat bran flakes, oat cereal, rice cereal, corn cereal, corn and rice cereal, and shredded whole wheat cereal; the following canned items: Low sodium black beans, low sodium blackeye beans, low sodium green beans, low sodium pinto beans, low sodium light red kidney beans, low sodium refried beans, low sodium vegetarian beans, low sodium carrots, low sodium cream corn, no salt added whole kernel corn, low sodium peas, low sodium sliced potatoes, no salt added pumpkin, reduced sodium cream of chicken soup, reduced sodium cream of mushroom soup, low sodium tomato soup, low sodium vegetable soup, low sodium spaghetti sauce, low sodium spinach, no salt added diced tomatoes, low sodium tomato sauce, kosher and halal tomato sauce, low sodium mixed vegetables, unsweetened applesauce, apricots with extra light syrup, mixed fruit with extra light syrup, cling peaches with extra light syrup, pears with extra light syrup, beef, beef stew, chicken, pork, salmon and kosher salmon, and kosher tuna; and the following bottled juices: Unsweetened apple juice, unsweetened cherry apple juice, unsweetened cranapple juice, unsweetened grape juice, unsweetened grapefruit juice, unsweetened orange juice, and unsweetened tomato juice. The amounts of each item purchased will depend on the prices the Department must pay, as well as the quantity of each item requested by the States. Changes in agricultural market conditions may result in the availability of additional types of foods or the nonavailability of one or more types listed above. Dated: March 6, 2017. Jessica Shahin, Acting Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service, USDA. [FR Doc. 2017–06356 Filed 3–30–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–30–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Revision of the Land Management Plan for the Francis Marion National Forest AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. Notice of approval of the Revised Land Management Plan for the Francis Marion National Forest. ACTION: E:\FR\FM\31MRN1.SGM 31MRN1

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[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 61 (Friday, March 31, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16020-16021]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-06337]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Document No. AMS-ST-16-0120]


Renewal of the Plant Variety Protection Board Charter

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 
this notice announces that the Secretary of Agriculture intends to 
renew the Plant Variety Protection Board (PVP Board) Charter.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Zankowski, USDA, Agricultural 
Marketing Service (AMS), Plant Variety Protection Office; 1400 
Independence Avenue SW., Room 4512; Washington, DC 20250, or by 
telephone at (202) 720-1128 or by internet: https://www.regulations.gov, 
or by Email: paul.zankowski@ams.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Plant Variety Protection Act (PVPA) (7 
U.S.C. 2321 et seq.) provides legal protection in the form of 
intellectual property rights to developers of new varieties of plants, 
which are reproduced sexually by seed or are tuber-propagated. A 
Certificate of Plant Variety Protection is awarded to an owner of a 
crop variety after an examination shows that it is new, distinct from 
other varieties, and genetically uniform and stable through successive 
generations. The term of protection is 20 years for most crops and 25 
years for trees, shrubs, and vines.
    The PVPA also provides for a statutory Board (7 U.S.C. 2327) to be 
appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture. The duties of the Board are 
to: (1) Advise the Secretary concerning the adoption of rules and 
regulations to facilitate the proper administration of the Act; (2) 
provide advisory counsel to the Secretary on appeals concerning 
decisions on applications by the PVP Office and on requests for 
emergency public-interest compulsory licenses; and (3) advise the 
Secretary on any other matters under the Regulations and Rules of 
Practice and on all questions under Section 44 of the Act, ``Public 
Interest in Wide Usage'' (7 U.S.C. 2404). Renewing the PVP Board is 
necessary and in the public interest.
    The PVPA provides that ``the Board shall consist of individuals who 
are experts in various areas of varietal development covered by this 
Act.'' The Board membership ``shall include farmer representation and 
shall be drawn approximately equally from the private or seed industry 
sector and from the sector of government or the public.'' The Board 
consists of 14 members, each of whom is appointed for a 2-year period, 
with no member appointed for more than three 2-year periods. 
Nominations are made by farmers' associations, trade associations in 
the seed industry, professional associations representing expertise in 
seed technology, plant breeding, and variety development, public and 
private research and development institutions (13 members) and the USDA 
(one member).
    Equal opportunity practices, in agreement with USDA 
nondiscrimination policies, will be followed in all membership 
appointments to the Board. To ensure that the suggestions of the Board 
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.
    The Charter for the PVP Board will be available on the Web site at: 
https://www.ams.usda.gov/PVPO or may be requested by contacting the 
individual identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of 
this notice.
    USDA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on 
the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, 
disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or 
family status. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means 
for communication of program information (Braille, large print, or 
audiotape.) should contact USDA's Target Center at 202-720-2600 (voice 
and TTY).
    To file a written complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Office 
of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue 
SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice and TTY). 
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.


[[Page 16021]]


    Dated: March 27, 2017.
Bruce Summers,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-06337 Filed 3-30-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P

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