Sheep and Lamb Promotion, Research, and Information Order

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 1280

[No. LS-99-13]

Sheep and Lamb Promotion, Research, and Information Order

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Invitation to submit proposals: Reopening and extension of time

to submit proposals.

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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is reopening and

extending the time to February 1, 2000, for the sheep industry to

submit proposals for a sheep and lamb promotion, research, and

information order (Order) or parts of an Order as provided for by the

Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996 (Act). The

Act authorizes national industry-funded programs for promotion,

research, and information regarding agricultural commodities.

Interested parties are also invited to submit views on whether it would

be beneficial to hold a public meeting during an ensuing comment period

to discuss the proposals. The invitation to submit proposals was

published in the Federal Register on November 23, 1999.

DATES: Proposals must be received on or before February 1, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Proposals (two copies) should be mailed to: Ralph L. Tapp,

Chief; Marketing Programs Branch, Room 2627-S; Livestock and Seed

Program, USDA; STOP 0251; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.; Washington,

D.C. 20090-0251.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ralph L. Tapp, Chief, Marketing

Programs Branch on 202/720-1115.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Purpose

A request for proposals for a Order under the Act was published in

the Federal Register on November 23, 1999. The purpose is to establish

a self-help promotion, research, and information program for the

industry.

Reason for Granting an Extension

The National Sheep Association (NSA) and the National Lamb Feeders

Association (NLFA) have requested an extension of time to submit

proposals.

Both organizations express the need for more producers to be

involved in the process to help generate industry support. They point

out that meetings of the American Sheep Association and NLFA will

provide the opportunity for more producer input. NSA points out that

many State association and other industry meetings are being held early

in the year 2000 which will provide an opportunity for additional

producer input on draft proposals. NSA also believes results from other

pending activities should be known before the issuance of an Order by

the Secretary. These include: (1) The specific project assistance that

the U.S. sheep Improvement Center will provide to the industry and (2)

the dimensions of the assistance available through USDA to the sheep

industry as a result of the decision to provide assistance to offset

the impact of increased lamb imports. However we believe that any such

delay is not necessary in connection with these issues.

Further, NSA believes the recently published draft Guidelines for

AMS Oversight of Commodity Research and Promotion Programs (Guidelines)

are another reason more time is needed since an Order will need to be

consistent with the Guidelines. NSA requested an extension of time

until February 21, 2000 and NLFA requested an extension until February

1, 2000.

After careful consideration of the requests submitted to the

Agency, AMS has decided to reopen and extend the comment period until

February 1, 2000. AMS believes this will provide a sufficient period of

time for all interested persons to discuss and review draft proposals

for an Order and to submit proposals for an Order to AMS.

Accordingly, AMS is reopening and extending the period to submit

proposals until February 1, 2000.

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 7401-7425.

Dated: January 6, 2000.

Barry L. Carpenter,

Deputy Administrator, Livestock and Seed Program.

[FR Doc. 00-694 Filed 1-7-00; 1:26 pm]

BILLING CODE 3410-02-P