Notice of Intent To Renew Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee (APAC) and the Related Agricultural Technical Advisory Committees (ATACs) for Trade and Continuation of Requests for Nominations for the Agricultural Trade Advisory Committees, 37507-37509 [2023-12313]
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 110 / Thursday, June 8, 2023 / Notices
including territories, of Phalaenopsis
spp. orchid plants for planting in
approved growing media from the
Republic of Costa Rica. As a condition
of entry, Phalaenopsis spp. orchid
plants in approved growing media from
the Republic of Costa Rica will have to
meet all relevant requirements included
in the U.S. Department of Agriculture
Plants for Planting Manual and detailed
in a bilateral workplan. This action will
allow for the importation of
Phalaenopsis spp. orchid plants for
planting from the Republic of Costa Rica
in approved growing media while
providing protection against the
introduction of plant pests.
DATES: The plants for planting covered
by this notice may be authorized for
importation after June 8, 2023.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Indira Singh, Agriculturist, Pest
Exclusion and Import Programs, PPQ,
APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133,
Riverdale, MD 20737–1236; (301) 851–
2020; indira.singh@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Background
Under the regulations in ‘‘Subpart
H—Plants for Planting’’ (7 CFR 319.37–1
through 319.37–23, referred to below as
the regulations), the Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of
the U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) prohibits or restricts the
importation of plants for planting
(including living plants, plant parts,
seeds, and plant cuttings) to prevent the
introduction of quarantine pests into the
United States. Quarantine pest is
defined in § 319.37–2 as a plant pest or
noxious weed that is of potential
economic importance to the United
States and not yet present in the United
States, or present but not widely
distributed and being officially
controlled. In accordance with
§ 319.37–20, APHIS may impose
quarantines and other restrictions on the
importation of specific types of plants
for planting. These restrictions are listed
in the USDA Plants for Planting
Manual.1
Section 319.37–10 restricts the
importation of plants for planting in
approved growing media, with
exceptions. Paragraph (d) of § 319.37–10
states that certain types of plants for
planting, as listed in the USDA Plants
for Planting Manual, may be imported
when they are established in a growing
medium approved by the Administrator
and produced in accordance with
1 https://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/
plants/manuals/ports/downloads/plants_for_
planting.pdf.
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additional requirements specified in the
manual.
On March 3, 2020, we published in
the Federal Register (85 FR 12441–
12442, Docket No. APHIS–2019–0015) a
notice 2 proposing to authorize the
importation of Phalaenopsis spp. orchid
plants from the Republic of Costa Rica
in approved growing media into the
United States, including territories,
subject to all relevant requirements
included in the USDA Plants for
Planting Manual and in a bilateral
workplan agreed to between APHIS and
the national plant protection
organization (NPPO) of the Republic of
Costa Rica.
We solicited comments concerning
our proposal for 60 days ending May 4,
2020. We did not receive any comments.
Therefore, in accordance with the
regulations in § 319.37–10(d), we are
announcing our decision to authorize
the importation into the United States,
including territories, of Phalaenopsis
spp. orchid plants for planting in
approved growing media from the
Republic of Costa Rica subject to the
phytosanitary measures listed in the risk
management document that
accompanied the initial notice. We are
adding these phytosanitary measures to
the USDA Plants for Planting Manual.
Paperwork Reduction Act
In accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501
et seq.), the burden requirements
included in this notice are covered
under the Office of Management and
Budget control number 0579–0049.
E-Government Act Compliance
The Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service is committed to
compliance with the E-Government Act
to promote the use of the internet and
other information technologies, to
provide increased opportunities for
citizen access to Government
information and services, and for other
purposes. For information pertinent to
E-Government Act compliance related
to this notice, please contact Mr. Joseph
Moxey, APHIS’ Paperwork Reduction
Act Specialist, at (301) 851–2483.
Congressional Review Act
Pursuant to the Congressional Review
Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), the Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs
designated this rule as not a major rule,
as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1633, 7701–7772,
and 7781–7786; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a;
7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.3.
2 To view the notice and supporting documents,
go to https://www.regulations.gov/docket/APHIS2019-0015.
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37507
Done in Washington, DC, this 5th day of
June 2023.
Michael Watson,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2023–12295 Filed 6–7–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–34–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Foreign Agricultural Service
Notice of Intent To Renew Agricultural
Policy Advisory Committee (APAC)
and the Related Agricultural Technical
Advisory Committees (ATACs) for
Trade and Continuation of Requests
for Nominations for the Agricultural
Trade Advisory Committees
Foreign Agricultural Service,
United States Department of
Agriculture.
ACTION: Notice of rechartering and
continuation of requests for
nominations.
AGENCY:
Pursuant to section 135 of the
Trade Act of 1974 and the Federal
Advisory Committee Act, as amended,
notice is hereby given that the Secretary
of Agriculture (Secretary), in
coordination with the United States
Trade Representative (Trade
Representative or USTR), intends to
renew the Agricultural Policy Advisory
Committee (APAC) and the related
Agricultural Technical Advisory
Committees (ATACs) for Trade to
provide detailed policy and technical
advice, information, and
recommendations regarding trade
barriers, negotiation of trade
agreements, and implementation of
existing trade agreements affecting food
and agricultural products, including the
performance of other advisory functions
relevant to U.S. agricultural trade policy
matters. The establishment and renewal
of such committees is in the public
interest in connection with the duties of
United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) imposed by the Trade Act of
1974, as amended. In addition, the
Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS)
continues to welcome nominations for
persons to serve on APAC and ATACs.
DATES: We will accept nominations for
membership on the APAC and six
ATACs throughout the four-year charter
term of the committees (June 2023
through June 2027). New applicants are
considered approximately every 12–18
months.
SUMMARY:
Electronic copies of the
nomination materials should be sent to
ATACs@usda.gov.
ADDRESSES:
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 110 / Thursday, June 8, 2023 / Notices
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All nomination materials may also be
mailed in a single, complete package to:
Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department
of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave.
SW, Room 200A, Jamie L. Whitten
Building, Washington, DC 20250–1001,
Attn: APAC/ATACs.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Darlene Maginnis, Group Federal
Officer, Foreign Agricultural Service,
U.S. Department of Agriculture at 202–
868–7059; or by email at ATACs@
usda.gov. You can find additional
information about the APAC and
ATACs on the Foreign Agricultural
Service website at www.fas.usda.gov/
atacs.
objectives and bargaining positions of
the United States before the United
States enters into trade agreements, the
operation of any trade agreement once
entered into, and matters arising in
connection with the administration of
the trade policy of the United States;
and (C) The Committee will furnish
such other advisory opinions and
reports as the Secretary and Trade
Representative deem necessary; and the
ATACs have similar responsibilities:
General Committee Information
Each committee has a chairperson,
who is elected from the membership of
that committee. Committees meet as
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
needed, and all committee meetings are
Rechartering of Existing Committees:
typically held in Washington, DC, or by
Pursuant to the Federal Advisory
telephone conference. Committee
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. 10), FAS gives
meetings may be closed if USTR
notice that the Secretary and Trade
determines that a committee will be
Representative intends to renew the
discussing issues that justify closing a
APAC and the following six ATACs:
meeting or portions of a meeting, in
• Animals and Animal Products;
accordance with 19 U.S.C. 2155(f).
• Fruits and Vegetables;
Throughout the year, members are
• Grains, Feed, Oilseeds, and Planting
Seeds;
requested to review sensitive trade
• Processed Foods;
policy information and provide
• Sweeteners and Sweetener
comments regarding trade negotiations.
Products; and,
In addition to their other advisory
• Tobacco, Cotton, Peanuts and Hemp responsibilities, at the conclusion of
(newly revised title).
negotiations of any trade agreement, all
In 1974, Congress established a
committees are required to provide a
private sector advisory committee
report on each agreement to the
system to ensure that U.S. trade policy
President, Congress, USTR, and USDA.
and negotiation objectives adequately
reflect U.S. commercial and economic
Committee Membership Information
interests. The private sector advisory
All committee members are appointed
committee system currently consists of
by and serve at the discretion of the
three tiers:
Secretary and Trade Representative.
• The President’s Advisory
Committee appointments are typically
Committee for Trade Policy and
for a period of four years but may be
Negotiations;
renewed for an additional term. Each
• Five general policy advisory
committees, including the APAC; and,
committee member must be a U.S.
• Several technical advisory
citizen and must represent a U.S. entity
committees, including the ATACs.
with an interest in agricultural trade and
must not be registered with the
Background
Department of Justice under the Foreign
In 1974, Congress established a
Agents Registration Act. To attend most
private-sector advisory committee
meetings, committee members must
system to ensure that U.S. trade policy
have a current security clearance. New
and negotiation objectives adequately
members will be guided in how to apply
reflect U.S. commercial and economic
for a security clearance and their
interests.
appointment will be contingent on
As provided for in the law and their
successful completion of the
charters, the APAC has the following
investigation. Committee members serve
responsibilities:
without compensation and are not
(A) The Committee will advise,
reimbursed for their travel expenses. No
consult with, and make
person may serve on more than one
recommendations to the Secretary and
USDA advisory committee at the same
Trade Representative concerning the
trade policy of the United States and the time unless a specific exception is
granted by the USDA Committee
matters arising in the administration of
Management Officer. No entity may
such policy; (B) The Committee will
have more than one representative on
provide information and advice
regarding the following: negotiating
any single trade advisory committee.
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Nominations and Appointments of
Members
Eligibility: Nominations for APAC and
ATAC membership are open to
individuals representing U.S. entities
with an interest in agricultural trade
without regard to race, color, religion,
sex, national origin, age, mental or
physical handicap, marital status, or
sexual orientation. Equal opportunity
practices in accordance with U.S.
Government policies will be followed in
all appointments to the Committee. To
ensure that the recommendations of the
Committee take into account the needs
of the diverse groups served by USDA,
membership shall include to the extent
possible, individuals with demonstrated
ability to represent minorities, women,
and persons with disabilities. Members
should have expertise and knowledge of
agricultural trade as it relates to policy
and commodity specific issues.
Members will normally come from an
entity with an interest in agriculture,
and will serve as a Representative,
presenting the views and interests of a
particular U.S. entity that has an interest
in the subject matter of the committee.
However, should a member be
appointed primarily for his or her
expertise, and not as a representative of
an interest group, he or she shall be
designated as a Special Government
Employee (SGE). SGEs are subject to
specific provisions of the ethics laws,
including disclosure of financial
interests, if they are appointed because
of their personal knowledge,
background, or expertise. USDA will
assist SGEs in disclosing their financial
interest and will provide ethics training
on an annual basis.
Appointments are made of
individuals only and are not
transferrable. No person, company,
producer, farm organization, trade
association, or other entity has a right to
membership on a committee. In making
appointments, every effort will be made
to maintain balanced representation on
the committees with representation
from producers, farm and commodity
organizations, processors, traders, and
consumers. Geographical diversity on
each committee will also be sought.
Nominations: Nominating a person to
serve on any of the committees requires
submission of a current resume for the
nominee and the USDA AD–755
(Advisory Committee Membership
Background Information, OMB Number
0505–0001), available on the internet at:
https://www.fas.usda.gov/tradeadvisorycommittees-applyingmembership. A cover letter should also
be submitted indicating the specific
committee for which the individual is
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 110 / Thursday, June 8, 2023 / Notices
being nominated, why the nominee
wants to be a committee member, and
his or her qualifications for
membership, and how the submitter
learned about this call for nominations.
The cover letter should also include the
statements required below related to
Federally Registered Lobbyists and
Foreign Firms. If applicable, the
application should include a sponsor
letter on the non-Federal governmental
entity letterhead containing a brief
description of the manner in which
international trade affects the entity and
why the applicant should be considered
for membership. Forms may also be
requested by sending an email to
ATACs@usda.gov, or by phone at (202)
868–7059.
Federally Registered Lobbyists: All
nominees must provide a statement
confirming their lobbyist status.
Pursuant to the Revised Guidance on
the Appointment of Lobbyists to Federal
Advisory Committees, Boards and
Commissions, published by the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) on
August 13, 2014, federally-registered
lobbyists are no longer prohibited from
serving on the advisory committees in a
representative capacity. OMB’s revised
guidance clarifies that the eligibility
restriction does not apply to advisory
committee members who are
specifically appointed to represent the
interests of a nongovernmental entity, a
recognizable group of persons or
nongovernmental entities (an industry
sector, labor unions, environmental
groups, etc.), or state or local
governments. The lobbyist prohibition
continues to apply to persons serving on
advisory committees in their individual
capacity (e.g., SGEs).
Foreign Firms: If the nominee is to
represent an entity or corporation with
ten percent or greater non-U.S.
ownership, the nominee must state the
extent to which the organization or
interest to be represented by the
nominee is owned by non-U.S. citizens,
organizations, or interests and
demonstrate at the time of nomination
that this ownership interest does not
constitute control and will not adversely
affect his or her ability to serve as an
advisor on the U.S. agriculture advisory
committee for trade.
Dated: June 5, 2023.
Cikena Reid,
USDA Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2023–12313 Filed 6–6–23; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–10–P
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
Agency Information Collection
Activities; Submission to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for
Review and Approval; Comment
Request; Self-Certifications Under the
Data Privacy Framework Program
The Department of Commerce will
submit the following information
collection request to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for
review and clearance in accordance
with the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995, on or after the date of publication
of this notice. We invite the general
public and other Federal agencies to
comment on proposed, and continuing
information collections, which helps us
assess the impact of our information
collection requirements and minimize
the public’s reporting burden. Public
comments were previously requested
via the Federal Register on March 30,
2023 during a 60-day comment period.
This notice allows for an additional 30
days for public comments.
Agency: International Trade
Administration, Department of
Commerce.
Title: Self-Certifications under the
Data Privacy Framework Program.
OMB Control Number: New
Collection. Not yet assigned.
Form Number(s): None.
Type of Request: Regular submission,
new information collection.
Number of Respondents: 4,000.
Average Hours per Response: 40
minutes.
Burden Hours: 3,062 hours.
Needs and Uses: The United States,
the European Union (EU), the United
Kingdom (UK), and Switzerland share a
commitment to enhancing privacy
protection, the rule of law, and a
recognition of the importance of
transatlantic data flows to our respective
citizens, economies, and societies, but
take different approaches to doing so.
Given those differences, the Department
of Commerce (DOC) developed the EU–
U.S. Data Privacy Framework (EU–U.S.
DPF), the UK Extension to the EU–U.S.
Data Privacy Framework (UK Extension
to the EU–U.S. DPF), and the Swiss-U.S.
Data Privacy Framework (Swiss-U.S.
DPF) in consultation with the European
Commission, the UK Government, the
Swiss Federal Administration, industry,
and other stakeholders. These
arrangements were respectively
developed to provide U.S. organizations
reliable mechanisms for personal data
transfers to the United States from the
European Union, the United Kingdom
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37509
(and, as applicable, Gibraltar), and
Switzerland while ensuring data
protection that is consistent with EU,
UK, and Swiss law.
The DOC is issuing the EU–U.S. DPF
Principles and the Swiss-U.S. DPF
Principles, including the respective sets
of Supplemental Principles (collectively
the Principles) and Annex I of the
Principles, as well as the UK Extension
to the EU–U.S. DPF under its statutory
authority to foster, promote, and
develop international commerce (15
U.S.C. 1512). The International Trade
Administration (ITA) will administer
and supervise the Data Privacy
Framework program, including
maintaining and making publicly
available the Data Privacy Framework
List, an authoritative list of U.S.
organizations that have self-certified to
the DOC and declared their commitment
to adhere to the Principles pursuant to
the EU–U.S. DPF and, as applicable, the
UK Extension to the EU–U.S. DPF, and/
or the Swiss-U.S. DPF. On the basis of
the Principles, Executive Order 14086,
28 CFR part 201, and accompanying
letters and materials, including ITA’s
commitments regarding the
administration and supervision of the
Data Privacy Framework program, it is
the DOC’s expectation that the European
Commission, the UK Government, and
the Swiss Federal Administration will
respectively recognize the adequacy of
the protection provided by the EU–U.S.
DPF, the UK Extension to the EU–U.S.
DPF, and the Swiss-U.S. DPF thereby
enabling personal data transfers from
each respective jurisdiction to U.S.
organizations participating in the
relevant part of the Data Privacy
Framework program. It is the DOC’s
present expectation that the effective
date of the EU–U.S. DPF Principles
would coincide with the entry into force
of the European Commission’s
anticipated recognition of adequacy,
whereas the respective effective dates of
the UK Extension to the EU–U.S. DPF
and the Swiss-U.S. DPF Principles
would occur before the entry into force
of the anticipated, respective
recognitions of adequacy (i.e., to enable
U.S. organizations from the earliest
possible date to self-certify their
compliance with multiple parts of the
Data Privacy Framework program).
Personal data cannot be received in
reliance on the EU–U.S. DPF, the UK
Extension to the EU–U.S. DPF, and the
Swiss-U.S. DPF until they have
respectively received such recognition
(i.e., until such formal recognition
enters into force).
In order to participate in the EU–U.S.
DPF and, as applicable, the UK
Extension to the EU–U.S. DPF, and/or
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 110 (Thursday, June 8, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37507-37509]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-12313]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Foreign Agricultural Service
Notice of Intent To Renew Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee
(APAC) and the Related Agricultural Technical Advisory Committees
(ATACs) for Trade and Continuation of Requests for Nominations for the
Agricultural Trade Advisory Committees
AGENCY: Foreign Agricultural Service, United States Department of
Agriculture.
ACTION: Notice of rechartering and continuation of requests for
nominations.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 135 of the Trade Act of 1974 and the
Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, notice is hereby given that
the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary), in coordination with the
United States Trade Representative (Trade Representative or USTR),
intends to renew the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee (APAC) and
the related Agricultural Technical Advisory Committees (ATACs) for
Trade to provide detailed policy and technical advice, information, and
recommendations regarding trade barriers, negotiation of trade
agreements, and implementation of existing trade agreements affecting
food and agricultural products, including the performance of other
advisory functions relevant to U.S. agricultural trade policy matters.
The establishment and renewal of such committees is in the public
interest in connection with the duties of United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA) imposed by the Trade Act of 1974, as amended. In
addition, the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) continues to welcome
nominations for persons to serve on APAC and ATACs.
DATES: We will accept nominations for membership on the APAC and six
ATACs throughout the four-year charter term of the committees (June
2023 through June 2027). New applicants are considered approximately
every 12-18 months.
ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the nomination materials should be sent
to [email protected].
[[Page 37508]]
All nomination materials may also be mailed in a single, complete
package to: Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
1400 Independence Ave. SW, Room 200A, Jamie L. Whitten Building,
Washington, DC 20250-1001, Attn: APAC/ATACs.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Darlene Maginnis, Group Federal
Officer, Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
at 202-868-7059; or by email at [email protected]. You can find additional
information about the APAC and ATACs on the Foreign Agricultural
Service website at www.fas.usda.gov/atacs.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Rechartering of Existing Committees: Pursuant to the Federal
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. 10), FAS gives notice that the
Secretary and Trade Representative intends to renew the APAC and the
following six ATACs:
Animals and Animal Products;
Fruits and Vegetables;
Grains, Feed, Oilseeds, and Planting Seeds;
Processed Foods;
Sweeteners and Sweetener Products; and,
Tobacco, Cotton, Peanuts and Hemp (newly revised title).
In 1974, Congress established a private sector advisory committee
system to ensure that U.S. trade policy and negotiation objectives
adequately reflect U.S. commercial and economic interests. The private
sector advisory committee system currently consists of three tiers:
The President's Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and
Negotiations;
Five general policy advisory committees, including the
APAC; and,
Several technical advisory committees, including the
ATACs.
Background
In 1974, Congress established a private-sector advisory committee
system to ensure that U.S. trade policy and negotiation objectives
adequately reflect U.S. commercial and economic interests.
As provided for in the law and their charters, the APAC has the
following responsibilities:
(A) The Committee will advise, consult with, and make
recommendations to the Secretary and Trade Representative concerning
the trade policy of the United States and the matters arising in the
administration of such policy; (B) The Committee will provide
information and advice regarding the following: negotiating objectives
and bargaining positions of the United States before the United States
enters into trade agreements, the operation of any trade agreement once
entered into, and matters arising in connection with the administration
of the trade policy of the United States; and (C) The Committee will
furnish such other advisory opinions and reports as the Secretary and
Trade Representative deem necessary; and the ATACs have similar
responsibilities:
General Committee Information
Each committee has a chairperson, who is elected from the
membership of that committee. Committees meet as needed, and all
committee meetings are typically held in Washington, DC, or by
telephone conference. Committee meetings may be closed if USTR
determines that a committee will be discussing issues that justify
closing a meeting or portions of a meeting, in accordance with 19
U.S.C. 2155(f).
Throughout the year, members are requested to review sensitive
trade policy information and provide comments regarding trade
negotiations. In addition to their other advisory responsibilities, at
the conclusion of negotiations of any trade agreement, all committees
are required to provide a report on each agreement to the President,
Congress, USTR, and USDA.
Committee Membership Information
All committee members are appointed by and serve at the discretion
of the Secretary and Trade Representative. Committee appointments are
typically for a period of four years but may be renewed for an
additional term. Each committee member must be a U.S. citizen and must
represent a U.S. entity with an interest in agricultural trade and must
not be registered with the Department of Justice under the Foreign
Agents Registration Act. To attend most meetings, committee members
must have a current security clearance. New members will be guided in
how to apply for a security clearance and their appointment will be
contingent on successful completion of the investigation. Committee
members serve without compensation and are not reimbursed for their
travel expenses. No person may serve on more than one USDA advisory
committee at the same time unless a specific exception is granted by
the USDA Committee Management Officer. No entity may have more than one
representative on any single trade advisory committee.
Nominations and Appointments of Members
Eligibility: Nominations for APAC and ATAC membership are open to
individuals representing U.S. entities with an interest in agricultural
trade without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin,
age, mental or physical handicap, marital status, or sexual
orientation. Equal opportunity practices in accordance with U.S.
Government policies will be followed in all appointments to the
Committee. To ensure that the recommendations of the Committee take
into account the needs of the diverse groups served by USDA, membership
shall include to the extent possible, individuals with demonstrated
ability to represent minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.
Members should have expertise and knowledge of agricultural trade as it
relates to policy and commodity specific issues. Members will normally
come from an entity with an interest in agriculture, and will serve as
a Representative, presenting the views and interests of a particular
U.S. entity that has an interest in the subject matter of the
committee.
However, should a member be appointed primarily for his or her
expertise, and not as a representative of an interest group, he or she
shall be designated as a Special Government Employee (SGE). SGEs are
subject to specific provisions of the ethics laws, including disclosure
of financial interests, if they are appointed because of their personal
knowledge, background, or expertise. USDA will assist SGEs in
disclosing their financial interest and will provide ethics training on
an annual basis.
Appointments are made of individuals only and are not
transferrable. No person, company, producer, farm organization, trade
association, or other entity has a right to membership on a committee.
In making appointments, every effort will be made to maintain balanced
representation on the committees with representation from producers,
farm and commodity organizations, processors, traders, and consumers.
Geographical diversity on each committee will also be sought.
Nominations: Nominating a person to serve on any of the committees
requires submission of a current resume for the nominee and the USDA
AD-755 (Advisory Committee Membership Background Information, OMB
Number 0505-0001), available on the internet at: https://www.fas.usda.gov/trade-advisorycommittees-applying-membership. A cover
letter should also be submitted indicating the specific committee for
which the individual is
[[Page 37509]]
being nominated, why the nominee wants to be a committee member, and
his or her qualifications for membership, and how the submitter learned
about this call for nominations. The cover letter should also include
the statements required below related to Federally Registered Lobbyists
and Foreign Firms. If applicable, the application should include a
sponsor letter on the non-Federal governmental entity letterhead
containing a brief description of the manner in which international
trade affects the entity and why the applicant should be considered for
membership. Forms may also be requested by sending an email to
[email protected], or by phone at (202) 868-7059.
Federally Registered Lobbyists: All nominees must provide a
statement confirming their lobbyist status.
Pursuant to the Revised Guidance on the Appointment of Lobbyists to
Federal Advisory Committees, Boards and Commissions, published by the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on August 13, 2014, federally-
registered lobbyists are no longer prohibited from serving on the
advisory committees in a representative capacity. OMB's revised
guidance clarifies that the eligibility restriction does not apply to
advisory committee members who are specifically appointed to represent
the interests of a nongovernmental entity, a recognizable group of
persons or nongovernmental entities (an industry sector, labor unions,
environmental groups, etc.), or state or local governments. The
lobbyist prohibition continues to apply to persons serving on advisory
committees in their individual capacity (e.g., SGEs).
Foreign Firms: If the nominee is to represent an entity or
corporation with ten percent or greater non-U.S. ownership, the nominee
must state the extent to which the organization or interest to be
represented by the nominee is owned by non-U.S. citizens,
organizations, or interests and demonstrate at the time of nomination
that this ownership interest does not constitute control and will not
adversely affect his or her ability to serve as an advisor on the U.S.
agriculture advisory committee for trade.
Dated: June 5, 2023.
Cikena Reid,
USDA Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2023-12313 Filed 6-6-23; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-10-P
