Report of the Biotechnology Science Advisory Committee of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency / the Committee.

  • United States. Environmental Protection Agency. Biotechnology Science Advisory Committee.
Date:
1987
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report of the Biotechnology Science Advisory Committee of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency / the Committee. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Committee Advisory Committee Charter 1. Purpose and Authority. This Charter establishes the EPA Biotechnology Science Advisory Committee in ac- cordance with requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. (App. I) 9(c), to meet the needs for specialized support for Agency consideration of bio- technology issues and to respond to the mandate for ‘‘agency-based scientific advisory committees’’ appear- ing in the Office of Science and Technology Policy an- nouncement of December 31, 1984 (49 E.R. 50905) and November 14, 1985 (50 F.R. 47174). 2. Scope of Activity. The activities of the Committee will include analyzing problems, conducting reviews, holding meetings, providing reports, making recommendations, forming study groups, and other activities needed to meet the Committee’s objectives, including the use of con- sultants as necessary. 3. Objectives and Responsibilities. The Committee will provide expert scientific advice to the Administrator and Assistant Administrators concerning issues relating to risks and other effects of applications of modern biotech- nology. The committee shall provide reports and recom- mendations directly to the Administrator and to the As- sistant Administrator(s) and will do so in a timely man- ner. The Committee responsibilities will include: ¢ Consideration of scientific issues referred by Pro- gram Office Directors; e Comparison of case reviews to evaluate internal scientific consistency among programs; e Assessment, in participation with the Science Ad- visory Board, of issues requiring research and referral to appropriate Agency research committees; e Recommendation of issues to be referred to inter- agency coordinating committees through appropriate delegates; e As appropriate, participation in review and evalua- tion of specific regulatory applications and submissions; e As appropriate, consultation and coordination with the FIFRA Scientific Advisory Panel established by the Administrator pursuant to section 25(d) of the Federal In- secticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act as amended; e As appropriate, consultation and coordination with the Science Advisory Board established by the Adminis- trator pursuant to the Environmental Research, Develop- ment and Demonstration Authorization Act of 1978; e Consultation and coordination with other Agency advisory groups, as requested by the Administrator. 4. Membership. The Committee will consist of 11 voting members, including 9 scientists and 2 persons represent- ing the general public. Subcommittees must include at Report of the Biotechnology Science Advisory Committee least one member of the full Committee. The Adminis- of the full Committee. The Administrator or the Ad- ministrator’s designee will appoint Chairpersons of sub- committees or panels as needed, after consultation with the Chairperson. The Committee will be supplemented by consultants when they are needed to extend the range of expertise and experience of the standing Committee. Scientist members of the Committee will be selected on the basis of their professional qualifications to examine the questions of hazard, exposure and risk to humans, other non-target organisms and ecosystems or their com- ponents due to production and release of organisms for purposes regulable under statutes for which the Environ- mental Protection Agency has responsibility. As a minimum, the Committee shall have one scien- tist member who also serves as a member of the Ad- ministrator’s Science Advisory Board Executive Commit- tee. Other members can also have joint membership on this Committee and the Science Advisory Board or its various committees or study groups. As a minimum, the Committee shall have one scien- tific member who also serves as a member of the FIFRA Scientific Advisory Panel. Other members can also have joint membership on this Committee and the Scientific Advisory Panel or its Subpanels. In addition, there will be nonvoting representatives from each Federal agency represented on the Biotechnol- ogy Science Coordinating Committee of the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering and Technology. The Committee is authorized to form subcommittees or panels for any purpose consistent with this charter. The Administrator or the Administrator’s designee shall review the need for such subcommittees and panels at least yearly to decide which should be continued. The subcom- mittees and panels will operate under the direction of the Committee. 5. Meetings. The Committee will meet at the request of the Administrator or the Administrator’s designee. Meetings will be called, announced, and held in accord- ance with the EPA Manual on Committee Management. The Manual provides for open meetings of advisory com- mittees; requires that interested persons be permitted to file written statements before or after meetings; and pro- vides for oral statements by interested persons to the ex- tent time permits. Meetings or portions thereof may be closed to comply with statutory restrictions concerning dissemination of proprietary and confidential informa- tion; however, the Agency is committed to having open meetings to the greatest extent possible. A full-time salaried officer or employee of the Agency, who will be designated as Executive Secretary, will be present at all meetings and is authorized to adjourn any such meeting whenever it is determined to be in the public interest. It is anticipated that the full Committee will meet ap- proximately three times per year, supplemented by sub- committee meetings as needed. The estimated annual operating costs for the Committee will be approximate- ly $125,000 which includes 1.0 work-year of staff support.