Federal Register: February 17, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 31)
DOCID: FR Doc 04-3299
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Research Service
NOTICE: NOTICES
ACTION: Meetings:
DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice of meeting.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Notice of the Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture Meeting
DATES: March 8-9, 2004, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Written request to make oral presentations at the meeting must be received by the contact person identified herein at least three business days before the meeting.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. II the United States Department of Agriculture announces a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture (AC21).
SUMMARY:
Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture Advisory Committee,
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
The fourth meeting of the AC21 has been scheduled for March 89, 2004. The AC21 consists of 18 members representing the biotechnology industry, the seed industry, international plant genetics research, farmers, food manufacturers, commodity processors and shippers, environmental and consumer groups, and academic researchers. In addition, representatives from the Departments of Commerce, Health and Human Services, and State, and the Environmental Protection Agency, the Council on Environmental Quality, and the Office of the United States Trade Representative serve as ``ex officio'' members. The Committee meeting will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on each day. The AC21 at this meeting will continue its work to develop a report examining the impacts of agricultural biotechnology on American agriculture and USDA over the next 5 to 10 years, specifically: to review a draft report introduction prepared by USDA staff; to review the progress of two work groups, one on potential issues, concerns, and benefits, and one on scenariosetting; to provide guidance to work groups in adapting the information they have developed into chapters of the committee report; and to consider preliminary presentations and introductory discussions related to trends in public versus private biotechnology research and implications for public research. The AC21 will also discuss the progress of a work group drafting a separate report for the committee's consideration on the issue of the proliferation of traceability and mandatory labeling regimes for biotechnologyderived products in other countries, the implications of those regimes, and what industry is doing to attempt to address those requirements for products shipped to those countries.
Background information regarding the work of the AC21 will be available on the USDA Web site at http://www.usda.gov/agencies/biotech/ac21.html. On March 8, 2004, if time permits, reasonable provision will be made for oral presentations of no more than five minutes each in duration.
The meeting will be open to the public, but space is limited. If
you would like to attend the meetings, you must register by contacting
Ms. Dianne Harmon at (202) 7204074, by fax at (202) 7203191 or by E
mail at dharmon@ars.usda.gov at least 5 days prior to the meeting.
Please provide your name, title, business affiliation, address,
telephone, and fax number when you register. If you require a sign
language interpreter or other special accommodation due to disability, please indicate those needs at the time of registration.
Edward B. Knipling,
Acting Administrator, ARS.
[FR Doc. 043299 Filed 21304; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 341003P
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Michael Schechtman, Designated Federal Official, Office of the Deputy Secretary, USDA, Telephone (202) 720 3817; Fax (202) 6904265; Email mschechtman@ars.usda.gov.