Amendment; Notice of Intent for Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee (APAC) and the Related Agricultural Technical Advisory Committees (ATACs) for Trade, 38479-38481 [2023-12649]
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 113 / Tuesday, June 13, 2023 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Submission for OMB Review;
Comment Request
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 are
requested regarding; 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; the accuracy of the
agency’s estimate of burden including
the validity of the methodology and
assumptions used; ways to enhance the
quality, utility and clarity of the
information to be collected; and 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.
Comments regarding this information
collection received by July 13, 2023 will
be considered. Written comments and
recommendations for the proposed
information collection should be
submitted within 30 days of the
publication of this notice on the
following website www.reginfo.gov/
public/do/PRAMain. Find this
particular information collection by
selecting ‘‘Currently under 30-day
Review—Open for Public Comments’’ or
by using the search function.
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.
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service
Title: Phytosanitary Export
Certification.
OMB Control Number: 0579–0052.
Summary of Collection: The Animal
and Plant Health Inspection Service
(APHIS) is responsible for preventing
plant diseases or insect pests from
entering the United States, preventing
the spread of pests and noxious weeds
not widely distributed within the
United States, and eradicating those
imported pests when eradication is
feasible. The Plant Protection Act
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authorizes USDA to carry out this
mission. APHIS will collect information
using several forms and other
information activities.
Need and Use of the Information:
APHIS will use the information
collected to locate shipments, guide
inspection, and issue a certificate to
meet the requirements of the importing
country. Failure to provide this
information would have an impact on
many U.S. exporters who would no
longer be able to engage in the business
of exporting plants and plant products
overseas.
Description of Respondents: Business
or other for-profit; State, and local or
Tribal government.
Number of Respondents: 9,102.
Frequency of Responses:
Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 401,228.
Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection
Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2023–12618 Filed 6–12–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–34–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Foreign Agricultural Service
Amendment; Notice of Intent for
Agricultural Policy Advisory
Committee (APAC) and the Related
Agricultural Technical Advisory
Committees (ATACs) for Trade
Foreign Agricultural Service,
United States Department of
Agriculture.
ACTION: Amendment Notice of Intent to
Reestablish Agricultural Technical
Advisory Committees (ATACs) and
Continuation of Requests for
Nominations.
AGENCY:
This notice is to amend the
notice of renewal published on June 6,
2023, to give notice that the U.S.
Department of Agriculture’s (USDA)
intends to reestablish the Agricultural
Technical Advisory Committees
(ATACs) for a 4-year period. 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), notice of
renewal for the Agricultural Policy
Advisory Committee (APAC) and intent
to reestablish the related Agricultural
Technical Advisory Committees
(ATACs) for Trade to provide detailed
policy and technical advice,
information, and recommendations
SUMMARY:
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38479
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.
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.
Electronic copies of the
nomination materials should be sent to
ATACs@usda.gov.
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.
ADDRESSES:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Rechartering of Existing Committees:
Pursuant to Section 135 of the Trade Act
of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2155 (c)) and the
Federal Advisory Committee Act, as
amended, (5 U.S.C. 10), FAS gives
notice that the Secretary and Trade
Representative intends to renew the
APAC and reestablish 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), amending the
notice of renewal published under
citation 88 FR 37507; FR Doc.
202312313 and filed on June 6, 2023.
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;
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38480
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 113 / Tuesday, June 13, 2023 / Notices
• 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:
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
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
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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
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Sfmt 4703
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
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
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 113 / Tuesday, June 13, 2023 / Notices
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 8, 2023.
Cikena Reid,
USDA Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2023–12649 Filed 6–12–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–10–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Virginia Resource Advisory
Committee; Meeting
Forest Service, Agriculture
(USDA).
ACTION: Notice of meeting.
AGENCY:
The Virginia Resource
Advisory Committee (RAC) will hold a
public meeting according to the details
shown below. The committee is
authorized under the Secure Rural
Schools and Community SelfDetermination Act (the Act) and
operates in compliance with the Federal
Advisory Committee Act (FACA). The
purpose of the committee is to improve
collaborative relationships and to
provide advice and recommendations to
the Forest Service concerning projects
and funding consistent with Title II of
the Act, on the George Washington and
Jefferson National Forest, within its
counties, consistent with the Federal
Lands Recreation Enhancement Act.
DATES: An in-person meeting with
virtual accommodation if needed will be
held on July 11, 2023, 12:30 p.m.–3:30
p.m., Eastern Daylight Time.
Written and Oral Comments: Anyone
wishing to provide in-person and/or
virtual comments must pre-register by
11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on
July 5, 2023. Written public comments
will be accepted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern
Daylight Time on July 10, 2023.
Comments submitted after this date will
be provided to the Agency, but the
Committee may not have adequate time
to consider those comments prior to the
meeting.
All RAC meetings are subject to
cancellation. For status of the meeting
prior to attendance, please contact the
person listed under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT.
ADDRESSES: This meeting will be held
in-person and virtually at the George
Washington and Jefferson National
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SUMMARY:
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18:45 Jun 12, 2023
Jkt 259001
Forest Supervisor’s Office located at
5162 Valleypointe Parkway, Roanoke,
Virginia 24019. The public may also
join virtually via teleconference by
calling 202–650–0123, 125903887#.
RAC information and meeting details
can be found at the following website:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/gwj/
workingtogether/advisorycommitteesor
by contacting the person listed under
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
Written Comments: Written comments
must be sent by email to
FSM.FS.GWJNF-PA@usda.gov or via
mail (i.e., postmarked) to Gwen Mason,
Designated Federal Officer, 5162
Valleypointe Parkway, Roanoke,
Virginia 24019. The Forest Service
strongly prefers comments be submitted
electronically.
Oral Comments: Persons or
organizations wishing to make oral
comments must pre-register by 11:59
p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on July 5,
2023, and speakers can only register for
one speaking slot. Oral comments must
be sent by email to FSM.FS.GWJNF-PA@
usda.gov or via mail (i.e., postmarked)
to Gwen Mason, George Washington and
Jefferson National Forest, 5162
Valleypointe Parkway, Roanoke,
Virginia 24019.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gwen Mason, Designated Federal
Officer (DFO), by phone at (540) 265–
5100 or email at gwendolyn.mason@
usda.gov or Jennifer Hummel, Acting
RAC Coordinator at (540) 265–5100 or
email at jennifer.hummel@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
purpose of the meeting is to:
1. Hear from Title II project
proponents and discuss Title II project
proposals;
2. Make funding recommendations on
Title II projects;
3. Approve meeting minutes; and
4. Schedule the next meeting.
The agenda will include time for
individuals to make oral statements of
three minutes or less. Individuals
wishing to make an oral statement
should make a request in writing at least
three days prior to the meeting date to
be scheduled on the agenda. Written
comments may be submitted to the
Forest Service up to 14 days after the
meeting date listed under DATES.
Please contact the person listed under
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, by
or before the deadline, for all questions
related to the meeting. All comments,
including names and addresses when
provided, are placed in the record and
are available for public inspection and
copying. The public may inspect
comments received upon request.
Meeting Accommodations: The
meeting location is compliant with the
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38481
Americans with Disabilities Act, and the
USDA provides reasonable
accommodation to individuals with
disabilities where appropriate. If you are
a person requiring reasonable
accommodation, please make requests
in advance for sign language
interpretation, assistive listening
devices, or other reasonable
accommodation to the person listed
under the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT section or contact USDA’s
TARGET Center at (202) 720–2600
(voice and TTY) or USDA through the
Federal Relay Service at (800) 877–8339.
Additionally, program information may
be made available in languages other
than English.
USDA programs are prohibited from
discriminating based on race, color,
national origin, religion, sex, gender
identity (including gender expression),
sexual orientation, disability, age,
marital status, family/parental status,
income derived from a public assistance
program, political beliefs, or reprisal or
retaliation for prior civil rights activity,
in any program or activity conducted or
funded by USDA (not all bases apply to
all programs). Remedies and complaint
filing deadlines vary by program or
incident.
Equal opportunity practices in
accordance with USDA’s policies will
be followed in all appointments to the
Committee. To ensure that the
recommendations of the Committee
have taken in 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. USDA is
an equal opportunity provider,
employer, and lender.
Dated: June 7, 2023.
Cikena Reid,
USDA Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2023–12599 Filed 6–12–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Office of the Secretary
Agency Information Collection
Activities; Submission to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for
Review and Approval; Comment
Request; Generic Clearance for the
Collection of Qualitative Feedback on
Agency Service Delivery
On June 7, 2023, the Department of
Commerce, published a 30-day public
comment period notice with FR
Document Number 2023–12186 (Page
37200) seeking public comments for an
E:\FR\FM\13JNN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 113 (Tuesday, June 13, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38479-38481]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-12649]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Foreign Agricultural Service
Amendment; Notice of Intent for Agricultural Policy Advisory
Committee (APAC) and the Related Agricultural Technical Advisory
Committees (ATACs) for Trade
AGENCY: Foreign Agricultural Service, United States Department of
Agriculture.
ACTION: Amendment Notice of Intent to Reestablish Agricultural
Technical Advisory Committees (ATACs) and Continuation of Requests for
Nominations.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice is to amend the notice of renewal published on
June 6, 2023, to give notice that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's
(USDA) intends to reestablish the Agricultural Technical Advisory
Committees (ATACs) for a 4-year period. 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), notice of renewal for the Agricultural Policy Advisory
Committee (APAC) and intent to reestablish 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.
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].
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 Section 135 of the
Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2155 (c)) and the Federal Advisory
Committee Act, as amended, (5 U.S.C. 10), FAS gives notice that the
Secretary and Trade Representative intends to renew the APAC and
reestablish 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),
amending the notice of renewal published under citation 88 FR 37507; FR
Doc. 202312313 and filed on June 6, 2023.
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;
[[Page 38480]]
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 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
[[Page 38481]]
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 8, 2023.
Cikena Reid,
USDA Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2023-12649 Filed 6-12-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-10-P
