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.

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SUMMARY: Interested parties are invited 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.

DATES: Proposals must be received by December 23, 1999.

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

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

Program; Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA; STOP 0251; 1400

Independence Avenue, SW.; Washington, DC 20250-0251.

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

Programs Branch on 202/720-1115.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Act (7 U.S.C. 7401-7425) authorizes the

development, financing, and carrying out of an effective, continuous,

and coordinated program of generic promotion, research, and information

regarding agricultural commodities. Any nationwide sheep and lamb

program would be funded by mandatory assessments paid by industry and

would be administered by a board, composed of industry representatives

appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary).

A order issued by the Secretary, based on public input, would form

the basis for a national program designed to benefit the sheep and lamb

industry. Since the Act provides that an order may be prepared by the

Secretary or submitted by an association of producers or any other

person that may be affected by the issuance of the order, notice is

hereby given that the Department of Agriculture (Department) will

accept written proposals for a sheep and lamb promotion, research, and

information order, or for various provisions thereof.

Proposals should include: (1) The proposed order language; (2) a

description of the proposed order provisions; (3) an explanation of the

nature and purpose of the proposed order provisions; (4) references to

the section of the Act that would be implemented by an order provision;

and (5) any other pertinent information concerning a proposal that

would assist in the process of implementing the Act.

The Act itself provides for authority to tailor a program according

to the individual needs of an industry. Provision is made for

permissive terms in an order in section 516 of the Act, and other

sections provide for alternatives. For example, section 514 of the Act

provides for orders applicable to: (1) Producers; (2) first handlers

and other persons in the marketing chain, as appropriate; and (3)

importers (if imports are subject to assessment). Section 516

authorizes an order to provide for exemption of de minimis quantities

of an agricultural commodity; different payment and reporting

schedules; coverage of research, promotion, and information activities

to expand, improve, or make more efficient the marketing or use of an

agricultural commodity in both domestic and foreign markets; provision

for reserve funds; provision for credits for generic and branded

activities; and assessment of imports. In addition, section 518 of the

Act provides for referenda to ascertain approval of an order to be

conducted either prior to its going into effect or within 3 years after

assessments first begin under the order. An order also may provide for

its approval in a referendum to be based upon: (1) A majority of those

persons voting; (2) persons voting for approval who represent a

majority of the volume of the agricultural commodity; or (3) a majority

of those persons voting for approval who also represent a majority of

the volume of the agricultural commodity. Section 515 of the Act

provides for establishment of a board from among producers, first

handlers, and others in the marketing chain as appropriate and

importers, if importers are subject to assessment.

The Department will only publish for public comment in the Federal

Register proposals that are consistent with and would effectuate the

purposes of the Act.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 1280

Administrative practice and procedure, Advertising, Agricultural

research, Marketing agreements, Sheep and lamb products, Reporting and

recordkeeping requirements.

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

Dated: November 18, 1999.

Barry L. Carpenter,

Deputy Administrator, Livestock and Seed Program.

[FR Doc. 99-30596 Filed 11-19-99; 1:33 pm]

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