USDA Seeks Nominations for Biotech Committee

USDA head Tom Vilsack is now requesting nominations for members of USDA’s agriculture biotechnology committee, the Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21^st Century Agriculture (AC21).

AC21 is a committee designed to communicate information around agriculture biotechnology. The committee was established in 2003 and is now being renewed.

“This committee will help to provide USDA with recommendations on practical measures and tools that can be developed to facilitate the coexistence of production utilizing agricultural biotechnology with other production methods,” said Vilsack.

AC21 is comprised of 20 to 25 members who can serve up to six consecutive years on the committee. USDA has stated that it is seeking representatives from a broad range of viewpoints to head the committee. A detailed list of previous AC21 members through the 2007 term shows representatives from groups like Monsanto Co. (St. Louis), the Food Policy Institute (Washington, DC), and the Union of Concerned Scientists (Washington, DC). A more detailed list is available here.

Written nominations must be received by April 17.