[Federal Register: May 23, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 100)]
[Notices]
[Page 28193]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. 03-051-1]
Genetically Engineered Forest and Fruit Trees; Public Meeting
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of public meeting.
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SUMMARY: This is to notify parties involved in those fields associated
with the environmental release of genetically engineered trees, as well
as other interested persons, that a public meeting will be held to
provide a forum for discussion on the environmental safety, potential
benefits, and risks of genetically engineered trees relative to
traditional varieties. The meeting is being organized by the Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service.
DATES: The meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 8, 2003, from 8 a.m.
to 4 p.m., and Wednesday, July 9, 2003, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held at the USDA Center at
Riverside, 4700 River Road, Riverdale, MD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about the meeting or
to register, contact Mr. John Cordts, Biotechnologist, BRS, APHIS, 4700
River Road Unit 147, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236; (301) 734-5531, fax:
(301) 734-8669, or e-mail: John.M.Cordts@aphis.usda.gov. In addition, information regarding the meeting and registration is
available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/biotech/.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The regulations in 7 CFR part 340,
``Introduction of Organisms and Products Altered or Produced Through
Genetic Engineering Which Are Plant Pests or Which There Is Reason to
Believe Are Plant Pests,'' (referred to below as the regulations)
regulate, among other things, the introduction (importation, interstate
movement, or release into the environment) of organisms and products
altered or produced through genetic engineering that are plant pests or
that there is reason to believe are plant pests. Such genetically
engineered organisms and products are considered ``regulated
articles.''
Field tests of genetically engineered forest and fruit trees are
currently being conducted under the regulations. In order to provide a
forum for the discussion of regulatory and scientific issues related to
the environmental safety, potential benefits, and risks associated with
genetically engineered forest and fruit trees, the Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is organizing a public meeting. This
public meeting is scheduled for July 8-9, 2003, and will provide an
opportunity for the exchange of information between APHIS
representatives, scientists with recognized expertise in fields
associated with the environmental release of genetically engineered
trees, and other interested persons on subjects including forest
ecology, plant genetics, and weed science. Preregistration is required
for all those who wish to attend the meeting. The deadline for all
preregistration is Monday, June 30, 2003. Information regarding the
meeting and registration instructions may be obtained from the person
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or on the Internet at
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/biotech/.
Persons interested in making an oral presentation at the meeting
should submit a brief written statement of the general views they wish
to present, the name and address of each person who will participate in
the presentation, and an estimate of the approximate length of time
needed to make the presentation. This information should be submitted
to the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or through
the Internet address provided in that section no later than July 1,
2003. The number of oral presentations and the time allocated for each
may be limited, depending upon the number of requests. Oral
presentations will be recorded in the proceedings of the meeting.
Persons interested in submitting written comments for inclusion in the
proceedings may do so by e-mail, postal mail/commercial delivery, or
fax by August 1, 2003. Send all comments to the person listed under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Please state that your comment refers to
Docket No. 03-051-1. If you use e-mail, your comment must be contained
in the body of your message or sent as an attachment in WordPerfect or
Microsoft Word format. Please include your name and address in your
message and ``Docket No. 03-051-1'' on the subject line.
Parking and Security Procedures
Please note that a fee of $2.25 is required to enter the parking
lot at the USDA Center at Riverside. The machine accepts $1 bills or
quarters.
Upon entering the building, visitors should inform security
personnel that they are attending the Tree Biotechnology meeting.
Identification is required. Security personnel will direct visitors to
the sign-in tables located outside of the Conference Center. All
participants must sign in upon arrival. Conference badges must be worn
throughout the day.
Done in Washington, DC, this 16th day of May 2003 .
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 03-12992 Filed 5-22-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
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