Program Priorities
   •  Genomic variation between GE and non-GE 
    transformation methods
   •  Environmental impacts of GE crops
   •  Pollen/gene flow biology and management practices for 
    co-existence
   •  Methods to monitor and/or manage dispersal of GE 
    organisms
   •  Biological, ecological, and/or risk assessment studies of 
    GE perennial species
   •  Potential non-target effects of RNA interference 
    transgenes
                                                  st
    Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21  
             Century Agriculture (AC 21) 
  •  The AC21 was originally established in Feb., 2003, first met in June, 2003. 
  •  Charged with examining the long-term impacts of biotechnology on the U.S. food 
    and agriculture system and USDA
  •  Provides guidance to USDA on pressing individual issues, identified by the Office of 
    the Secretary, related to the application of biotechnology in agriculture. 
  •  The AC21 is a broad-based committee representing a wide range of interests and 
    agricultural expertise. 
  •  The AC21, which met frequently between 2003 and 2008, has been revived by 
    Agriculture Secretary Vilsack to focus in the near term on a specific topic: to develop 
    practical recommendations for strengthening coexistence among different 
    agricultural production methods
  •  The Committee will meet 3 or 4 times per year in public session to discuss this 
    topic.
    http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentidonly=true&contentid=AC
    21Main.xml
     
   BRAG Acknowledgement and Impact Statements
   •   Acknowledgement statement  - “This project was supported by 
    Biotechnology Risk Assessment Grant Program competitive grant no. 
    ####-#####-##### from the USDA National Institute of Food and 
    Agriculture and Agricultural Research Service”
   •  Notify program staff regarding publications, presentation/talks at 
    conferences, press releases related to BRAG-funded research. 
   •  Impact Statement on CRIS/REEPort should contain:
    •  Information regarding change in knowledge related to biotechnology
    •  New information regarding change in practice to prevention, 
     mitigation, and/or monitor GE organisms
    •  Information regarding impacts on co-existence and agriculture
    •  Draft impact statements that focus on impacts to researchers, 
     farmers, commodity groups, federal regulators, congressional leaders, 
     general public
    •  Should not be an extension of your results, should be less technical