[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 246 (Friday, December 21, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75607-75608]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-30746]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Document No. AMS-ST-12-0056]
Plant Variety Protection Board; Soliciting Nominations
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Plant Variety Protection Office (PVPO) is seeking
candidates for the Plant Variety Protection Board. We are asking for
the submission of nomination packages (an Application for Committee
Membership (AD-755) and resume) by January 7, 2013.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Zankowski, USDA, Agricultural
Marketing Service (AMS), Plant Variety Protection Office; 1400
Independence Avenue SW., Room 3543; Washington, DC 20250 or by phone at
(202) 720-5231 or by email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Plant Variety Protection Act (PVPA) (7
U.S.C. 2321 et seq.) provides legal protection in the form of
intellectual property rights to developers of new varieties of plants,
which are reproduced sexually by seed or are tuber-propagated. A
Certificate of Plant Variety Protection is awarded to an owner of a
crop variety after an examination shows that it is new, distinct from
other varieties, and genetically uniform and stable through successive
generations. The term of protection is 20 years for most crops and 25
years for trees, shrubs, and vines.
The PVPA also provides for a statutory Board to be appointed by the
Secretary of Agriculture (7 U.S.C. 2327). The duties of the Board are
to: (1) Advise the Secretary concerning the adoption of rules and
regulations to facilitate the proper administration of the PVPA; (2)
provide advisory counsel to the Secretary on all appeals from the
Examiner; and (3) advise the Secretary on any other matters under the
Regulations and Rules of Practice and on all questions under Section 44
of the PVPA, ``Public Interest in Wide Usage'' (7 U.S.C. 2404).
Reestablishing the PVP Board is necessary and in the public interest.
The PVPA provides that ``The Board shall consist of individuals who
are experts in various areas of varietal development covered by this
Act.'' (7 U.S.C. 2327(a)). The Board membership ``shall include farmer
representation and shall be drawn approximately equally from the
private or seed industry sector and from the sector of government or
the public.'' (7 U.S.C. 2327(a)).
The PVP Board consists of 14 members, each of whom is appointed for
a 2-year period, with no member appointed for more than three 2-year
periods. The term of the present Board will expire in December 2012.
The first meeting of the new Board will most likely be held in the
spring/summer of 2013. In order to provide the Secretary of Agriculture
with a broad choice from a diverse group of applicants, the PVPO is
asking for nominated members to serve on the Board for 2 years from the
date of appointment. PVP Board members will serve without compensation,
except for standard government reimbursable expenses.
To ensure that the recommendations of the Board take into account
the needs of the diverse groups served by the USDA (from research and
production to trade, use, and consumption). The USDA is responsible for
vetting every candidate who applies for membership to a USDA Research
and Promotion Board and/or Federal Advisory Committee. Also, please
note that federally registered lobbyists are prohibited from serving on
advisory committees governed by the Federal Advisory Committee Act
(FACA).
In order to be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture to serve
on a board or committee, each applicant must clear all stages of the
vetting process. Vetting is a comprehensive personal and professional
background investigation that specifically includes, but is not limited
to, an analysis of each candidate's criminal history, bankruptcy
filings, liens and judgments, affiliations and associations, lobbyist
status, and prior involvement with USDA. This process is used to ensure
that the finest candidates are selected to represent the interests of
the United States Department of Agriculture.
Submit full nomination packages with completed AD 755 background
information forms and resumes no later than January 7, 2013. Final
selection of members will be made by the Secretary from nominations
submitted. All nomination materials should be mailed in a single,
complete package to: Paul Zankowski, Commissioner; Plant
[[Page 75608]]
Variety Protection Office; 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 3543;
Washington, DC 20250.
Nomination packages can also be sent to Thomas J. Vilsack,
Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue
SW., Washington, DC 20250 outside of a formal call for nominations.
USDA has special interest in assuring that women, minority groups,
and the physically disabled are adequately represented on these
advisory committees. We encourage and welcome nominations for female,
minority, or disabled candidates.
Please see http://www.ams.usda.gov/PVPO and click on PVPO Board
(under Resources on the right side) for information on the Charter, and
AD-755 form. The AD-755 form can also be found on the USDA Advisory
Committee Web site (www.usda.gov/advisory_committees.xml). The Charter
for the PVP Board will be available on the Web site at: http://www.fido.gov/facadatabase/docs_charters/1309_Charter_(2011-01-04-10-
32-08).pdf or may be requested by contacting the individual identified
in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice.
USDA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on
the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age,
disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or
family status. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means
for communication of program information (Braille, large print, or
audiotape.) should contact USDA's Target Center at 202-720-2600 (voice
and TTY).
To file a written complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Office
of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue
SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice and TTY).
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Dated: December 17, 2012.
David Shipman,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-30746 Filed 12-20-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P