[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 89 (Thursday, May 8, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 25160]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-11956]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary
[CN 97-002]


Proposal to Reestablish the Advisory Committee on Universal 
Cotton Standards

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; Proposal to reestablish the Advisory Committee on 
Universal Cotton Standards.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is proposing to 
reestablish the advisory committee to review official Universal 
Standards for American Upland cotton prepared by USDA and make 
recommendations regarding the establishment or revision of the 
standards.

DATES: Comments must be received by May 23, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Ross Griffith, Cotton Marketing 
Specialist, Cotton Division, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., 
Rm 2641-S, Washington, D.C. 20250-0224.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ross Griffith (202) 720-3193.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee 
Act (Pub. L. No. 92-463), notice is hereby given that the Secretary of 
Agriculture intends to reestablish the Advisory Committee on Universal 
Cotton Standards composed of foreign and domestic representatives of 
the cotton industry. The purpose of the committee is to review official 
Universal Standards for U.S. Upland cotton prepared by USDA and make 
recommendations regarding the establishment or revision of the 
standards.
    The Secretary has determined that the work of the committee is in 
the public interest and is in connection with the duties of the 
Department of Agriculture. No other advisory committee in existence is 
capable of advising and assisting the Department on the task assigned, 
nor does the Department have an alternative means to obtain the 
technical and practical expertise needed from private industry.
    Equal opportunity practices, in line with USDA policies, will be 
followed in all appointments to the committee. To ensure that the 
recommendations of the committee have taken into account the needs of 
the diverse groups served by the Department, membership shall include, 
to the extent practicable, individuals with demonstrated ability to 
represent minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.
    Balanced committee membership would be attained domestically and 
internationally through the following committee composition:

Representation by Domestic Industry

    The U.S. cotton industry's committee membership will be comprised 
of 12 producers and ginners, 6 representatives of merchandising firms, 
and 6 representatives of textile manufacturers. These representatives 
from the domestic industry will be appointed by the Secretary of 
Agriculture.
    Each member will have one vote. Accordingly, voting privileges will 
be divided as follows:
    (1) U.S. cotton producers and ginners--12 votes;
    (2) U.S. merchandising firms--6 votes;
    (3) U.S. textile manufacturers--6 votes.

Representation by Foreign Signatory Associations

    There will be two committee members from each of the foreign 
signatory associations. These committee members will be designated by 
the respective associations. Voting privileges will be divided as 
follows:
    (1) Foreign signatory merchant associations--6 votes;
    (2) Foreign signatory spinner associations--6 votes.

    Dated: May 2, 1997.
Pearlie S. Reed,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration.
[FR Doc. 97-11956 Filed 5-7-97; 8:45 am]
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