Committee members present: Paul Backman, Susan Barefoot, Nancy Cox, George Ham, Richard Heimsch, Tom Helms, Terry Nelsen, Eldon Ortman, Ralph Otto, Prem Paul, Ron Pardini, Daniel Rossi, Lou Swanson, William Wagner, Randy Woodson

George Ham distributed the minutes from the Science and Technology committee meeting May 12, 1999. Corrections to spelling were noted and the minutes approved.

1. George Ham reported on interim actions by the chair, including the appointment of new members to the S&T committee. New members include Dan Rossi (Economics), Lou Swanson (Rural Sociology) and Patsy Brandon (Human Ecology). G. Ham reported that a new sub-committee on the Farm Crisis had been formed at the request of ESCOP leadership. Committee members include Dan Rossi (Chair), Lou Swanson, and Alfred Parks. George Ham shared with the committee a letter he sent to CSREES on behalf of the Science and Technology Committee concerning Form 662. The letter proposes that recombinant DNA or RNA research, experimental animal care, and protection of human subjects be handled locally as certifications just as the drug-free work place is handled now. Bill Wagner suggested this could be a problem for CSREES, as the station will have to take more responsibility in reviewing Hatch Projects. Bill pointed out that CSREES could not release funds that clearly are for projects that indicate "under review". Discussion focused on what various experiment stations are currently doing to insure compliance with for 662.

2. Randy Woodson discussed the process of developing a "Science Roadmap" for agriculture. A steering committee has been formed and includes Deborah Hamernik (CSREES), Colin Kaltenbach, Tom Helms, Nancy Cox, Dan Rossi, D.C. Coston and Randy Woodson (Chair). The Science Roadmap steering committee planned to meet during the workshop in Memphis to develop an implementation plan.

3. Bill Wagner discussed the formation of the Joint Institute for Food Safety, to which he has been named interim director. The goals of the Institute are to coordinate research planning, budget development, and prioritization. The Institute will serve as a link to all federal food safety agencies and a link to private and academic sectors, as well. B. Wagner outlined the President's Council on Food Safety, which includes the Institute. In addition, the Council has an Executive Research Committee and Federal Policy and Budget Committee dealing with issues of Food Safety. The President's Council is composed of the Secretary of Agriculture, Secretary of Health and Human Services and the President's Science Advisor (Neal Lane). A strategic planning task force has been formed under the leadership of Kathy Wotecki (sp) to develop goals for food safety research. A search committee has been formed to bring in an Executive Director of the Institute on a 2 year rotation. Permanent space for the Institute is on the 1st floor of the new water front building. B. Wagner suggested that ESCOP needed to develop a plan to interact with the Institute, as other organizations were lining up. The Institute is expected to be a focal point for coordinating RFP's related to food safety.

4. G. Ham led a discussion of the review of S&T sub-committees. The Pest Management subcommittee has been approved by Darrel Nelson. Genetic resources is not ready for approval by the Chair of ESCOP but is working towards this goal. Eldon Ortman asked G. Ham who determines committee membership. G. Ham pointed out that that was the sub-committee chair's responsibility. A motion was made to approve the Social Sciences subcommittee, which was approved. A discussion of the need for a food safety sub-committee took place. It was agreed that this should go forward, but in concert with ECOP. G. Ham agreed to discuss this with ESCOP and ECOP leadership.

5. The committee discussed the issue of GMO's at some length. It was agreed that S&T should play a proactive role in dealing with the issue of GMO acceptance. Rather than establish a new sub-committee, it was agreed that we would charge each of the standing sub-committees with discussing and acting on the GMO question. These committees will be charged with addressing 5 issues as follows:

Adequacy of current regulations. Are current regulations on GMO's sufficient to address public concerns? If not, what additional regulations need to be put in place?

1. Social sciences research. Are current approaches of educating consumers on GMO issues appropriate? If not, what additional information or approaches need to be developed?
2. Safety research. What is the current research data on safety of GMO? What additional research needs to be conducted on the safety (food, environmental and ecological) of GMOs?
3. Funding. Do we need new funding to address research gaps?

G. Ham reminded the committee that our charge was to look at the topics in the workshop and make recommendations for next year's meeting.

1. Discussed the Peer and Merit Review document developed for consideration. Several revisions were suggested and the revised document is attached to the minutes. (Link to Peer Review document.)
2. Bill Wagner led a discussion about CSREES's need for information related to specialized facilities at the partner institutions. A draft survey was shared with the committee by Ralph Otto. Committee members were asked to communicate directly with Tim Strickland, who was coordinating this activity for CSREES. He may be reached at tstrickland@reeusda.gov.

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