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Biotechnology & 21st Century Agriculture

Advisory Committee on Biotechnology & 21st Century Agriculture (AC21)

The Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture (AC21) was originally established in February, 2003 and first met in June, 2003. Under its Charter, the committee is charged with examining the long-term impacts of biotechnology on the U.S. food and agriculture system and USDA, and providing 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.

All materials for committee meetings, meeting summaries and transcripts, as well as committee reports and recommendations will be posted on this website.

December 8, 2016 AC21 Final Report

September 8-9, 2016 AC21 meeting

June 13-14, 2016 AC21 meeting

March 14-15, 2016 AC21 meeting

Guidance Document ad hoc Subgroup

Models and Incentives ad hoc Subgroup

Venues and Conveners ad hoc Subgroup

December 14-15, 2015 AC21 meeting

February 21, 2013 Fact Sheet

November 19, 2012 AC21 Final Report


August 27-28, 2012 AC21 Meeting


Additional comments received by USDA but not orally presented at the meeting


May 29-30, 2012 AC21 Meeting


March 5-6, 2012 AC21 meeting


December 6-7, 2011 AC21 meeting


November 14-15, 2011 Webinar meetings


August 30-31, 2011 AC21 meeting


Working Groups


Working Group on Potential Compensation Mechanisms


Working Group on Size and Scope of Risks


Working Group on Tools and Standards to Verify Eligibility and Losses


Working Group on 'Who Pays?'


Documents provided by AC21 members

Archive