Guidelines for AMS Oversight of Commodity Research and Promotion Programs

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[AMS-00-01]

Guidelines for AMS Oversight of Commodity Research and Promotion

Programs

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking comments on

the ``Guidelines for AMS Oversight of Commodity Research and Promotion

Programs'' (Guidelines). USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

developed the guidelines to facilitate uniform oversight of national

research and promotion programs which have been implemented under

numerous Federal statutes. The guidelines are part of the findings and

recommendations of the Research and Promotion Task Force (task force)

that was created by Secretary Glickman in November 1998. The task force

held a public meeting in March 1999 and held several working meetings

to review the oversight responsibilities of AMS and board operations.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 17, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Interested persons are invited to

submit written comments concerning this notice to: Barbara C. Robinson,

Deputy Associate Administrator, Room 3069 South Bldg., U.S. Department

of Agriculture, AMS, OA, Washington, DC 20250; telephone (202) 720-

4276; fax (202) 690-3967. Comments should be submitted in triplicate

and will be made available for public inspection at the above address

during regular business hours. Comments may also be submitted

electronically to: [email protected]. All comments should

indicate the docket number and the date and page number of this issue

of the Federal Register. A copy of this notice may be found at:

www.AMS.USDA.Gov/R&P/.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice is authorized under the

following Federal statutes: the Beef Promotion and Research [7 U.S.C.

2901-2911]; the Canola and Rapeseed Research, Promotion, and Consumer

Information Act [7 U.S.C. 7441-7452]; the Commodity Promotion,

Research, and Information Act of 1996 [7 U.S.C. 7411-7425]; the Cotton

Research and Promotion Act [7 U.S.C. 2101-2118]; the Dairy Production

Stabilization Act of 1983 [7 U.S.C. 4501-4513]; the Egg Research and

Consumer Information Act [7 U.S.C. 2701-2718]; the Floral Research and

Consumer Information Act [7 U.S.C. 4301-4319]; the Fluid Milk Promotion

Act of 1990 [7 U.S.C. 6401-6417]; the Fresh Cut Flowers and Fresh Cut

Greens Promotion and Consumer Information Act [7 U.S.C. 6801-6814]; the

Honey Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Act, as amended [7

U.S.C. 4601-4612]; the Lime Research, Promotion, and Consumer

Information Act, as amended [7 U.S.C. 6201-6212]; the Mushroom

Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act of 1990 [7 U.S.C.

6101-6112]; the National Kiwifruit Research, Promotion, and Consumer

Information Act [7 U.S.C. 7461-7473]; the Pecan Promotion and Research

Act of 1990 [7 U.S.C. 6001-6013]; the Popcorn Promotion, Research, and

Consumer Information Act [7 U.S.C. 7481-7491]; the Pork Promotion,

Research, and Consumer Information Act [7 U.S.C. 4801-4819]; the Potato

Research and Promotion Act, as amended [7 U.S.C. 2611-2627]; the Sheep

Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1994 [7 U.S.C. 7101-7111];

the Soybean Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act [7 U.S.C.

6301-6311]; the Watermelon Research and Promotion Act, as amended [7

U.S.C. 4901-4916]; and the Wheat and Wheat Foods Research and Nutrition

Education Act [7 U.S.C. 3401-3417].

There are currently 13 active programs under these statutes: beef,

cotton, dairy, eggs, fluid milk, honey, mushrooms, peanuts, popcorn,

pork, potatoes, soybeans, and watermelons.

AMS is seeking public comment on the Guidelines which have been

developed to promote uniformity in the oversight of these and any

future programs.

Guidelines for AMS Oversight of Commodity Research and Promotion

Programs

Table of Contents

Introduction

Purpose of Guidelines

Administration

Administrative Reviews

Audits

Board Administrative Expenses

Board Meetings

Board Member Orientation

Board Travel and Meeting Expenses

Bylaws and Policy Statements

Compliance

Investment of Funds

Legal Counsel

User Fees

Budgets

Conflict of Interest

Contracts

Competitive Bids

Contract Approval

Contract Compliance

Diversity and Nominations

Diversity on Boards

Nominations

Financial Accountability

Influencing Legislation or Government Policy or Action

Other Government Agencies

Program Progress and Evaluation

Promotional and Educational Materials

Referendum Policies

Bonds

Influencing Voters

Petitions for Referenda

Referendum Ballots

Refunds for Programs under the Generic Statute

Appendix I: List of Industry-Specific Legislation

Introduction

National research and promotion programs are designed to strengthen

the position of a commodity in the marketplace, maintain and expand

existing domestic and foreign markets, and develop new uses and markets

for specified agricultural commodities. They are administered by the

U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service

(AMS) and funded by assessments collected from designated segments of

industry.

Until 1996, industry-specific legislation had to be passed by

Congress before a national program could be established. (See Appendix

I.) However, under the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information

Act of 1996 (generic statute), industry groups may

[[Page 70683]]

submit a proposal directly to AMS requesting that a program be

implemented. All programs require rulemaking and a referendum to

determine if those who pay assessments approve the programs.

The programs are run by industry boards and councils (boards)

appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) from industry

nominations.

Purpose of Guidelines

These Guidelines are designed to facilitate the application of the

legislative and regulatory provisions of the acts and orders or plans

(orders), subject to the unique language of individual legislation as

determined by AMS. They are designed to promote uniformity in the

oversight of all commodity research and promotion programs. The

Guidelines shall be reviewed annually and amended as necessary.

Administration

Administrative Reviews

To the extent practicable, AMS will conduct periodic administrative

reviews of board operations to ensure adherence to AMS policy. Selected

areas for examination will include, but not be limited to, travel

expenses of board members and staff, contract compliance, and

investment of funds. In general, boards should operate through an

appropriate set of oversight committees that deal with each board's

major budget items (see Budgets section of these Guidelines); board

members should be given adequate information on all significant

projects, proposals, issues, etc., and an outline of options for their

consideration in decision making; and the board and its committees

should document their decisions in an official set of minutes. Board

members must be given adequate information on ongoing operations to

allow the board to exercise appropriate management control. This can be

accomplished through a series of progress reports on ongoing activities

and accomplishment reports on completed activities.

Audits

Each board shall engage a certified public accountant (CPA) to

perform a comprehensive financial statement audit each year.

These audits must be conducted in accordance with the Generally

Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS) prescribed by the

Comptroller General of the United States. Such an audit must cover the

financial statements specified in the Financial Accountability section

of these Guidelines and must include such procedures as are necessary

for the auditor to express an opinion on the financial statements and

such additional procedures as may be necessary for the auditor to

express an opinion on the board's internal control system and its

compliance with all applicable laws and regulations including the

program's enabling statute, the order which established the program,

and AMS policies and guidelines.

AMS shall: (a) Review and approve each board's contract with its

CPA; (b) review and approve the details of the engagement between the

board and its CPA; (c) have the option of attending any entrance or

exit conference with the CPA; and (d) receive a copy of the CPA's audit

report and copies of all correspondence between the board and its CPA.

AMS officials will evaluate each audit report and may request

additional information if needed. Boards must promptly follow up on all

audit findings and auditor's recommendations and must fully inform AMS

of all such activity.

If special circumstances arise, (e.g., a theft or loss of control

of board assets or a serious breakdown in internal controls), AMS may

require a board to engage a CPA to perform a one-time, focused review

to ascertain the causes and results of a problem and to make

recommendations for corrective or preventive action.

Board Administrative Expenses

Recognizing inherent differences in implementing laws or

regulations, scope, and funding among promotion programs, AMS expects

each board and state association or other organization, authorized by

law to receive assessment funding, to establish and maintain the

minimum level of annual administrative expenses necessary to

efficiently and effectively carry out the programs mandated by law.

Each board shall include its annual administrative expenses as a

separate item in its annual report. AMS or the board may require a

state association or other organization receiving board funds to report

its annual administrative expenses in a similar manner. Each board must

adhere to its fiduciary responsibilities and ensure that all monies are

spent wisely and in accordance with laws and regulations.

The Secretary's costs for oversight of the commodity boards should

not be considered as an administrative expense of the boards as these

charges are outside of the boards' control and management.

Pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 7401, Commodity Promotion and Evaluation, AMS

will annually provide to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of

Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and

Forestry of the Senate information on the administrative expenses of

each research and promotion board.

Board Meetings

AMS requires advance notification from the boards of all board and

committee meetings as well as conference calls. AMS will attend all

board meetings and participate in conference calls and committee

meetings when deemed necessary by AMS.

In addition, it is important for boards to recognize that there are

many religious practices, and boards should keep this in mind when

scheduling meetings.

Board Member Orientation

AMS will participate in the orientation of new board members for

all programs. AMS will discuss USDA oversight responsibilities and

policies, including these Guidelines, so that new members can

understand and comply with them as well as the applicable statute and

order. AMS will require that all board members certify that they

understand the prohibition against using board funds to influence

legislation or government action or policy. The Office of the General

Counsel (OGC) will participate in the initial orientation of members of

new boards at the board's organizational meeting. OGC may participate,

at the request of AMS, in the orientation of new board members for

existing programs.

Board Travel and Meeting Expenses

Board members are not allowed a fee or compensation for board

service other than reimbursement for reasonable travel costs. However,

board members and employees (including staff contracted to perform

management and administrative services for a board) may be reimbursed

for reasonable and appropriate expenses.

AMS will provide guidance for boards to develop a written policy,

approved by AMS, for travel and meeting expenses. In addition, boards

must have in place sufficient internal controls to prevent

reimbursements or expenditures for unreasonable and potentially

controversial travel and meeting expenses. Unreasonable and potentially

controversial travel and meeting expenses include, but are not limited

to, first class travel, member golf outings, and entertainment that

does not directly

[[Page 70684]]

further the purposes of the acts and orders.

Boards are prohibited from using assessment funds for expenses for

spouses or other family members of board members or employees, open

bars, and adult entertainment.

Bylaws and Policy Statements

AMS will review for approval the bylaws and amendments to bylaws

developed by the boards and require boards to establish policies which

cover board member and staff responsibilities, meeting procedures, and

travel and related expenses.

Compliance

The respective boards are responsible for promptly identifying

violations and violators and for securing compliance with the statutes,

order, and rules and regulations wherever possible. AMS will develop

with each board requirements and a timetable for the referral of

compliance cases to AMS for appropriate action. Upon receipt of

compliance cases, AMS will take one or more of the following actions:

(1) Send a certified letter requesting compliance within a specified

period; (2) Utilize National Finance Center collection procedures,

including administrative offset; and/or (3) Refer violations to the OGC

for action. Before discharging any delinquent debt, AMS will take all

appropriate steps to collect such debt.

Investments of Funds

AMS shall require the boards to follow the AMS investment policy to

ensure proper investment of board funds.

Legal Counsel

OGC will provide all legal counsel to the boards, except as may be

provided for under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between a board

and OGC. OGC will review all existing MOU's and recommend any needed

changes to ensure consistency among the boards.

User Fees

The authorizing legislation for each program requires the various

boards to reimburse AMS for its costs in overseeing the programs. It is

the policy of AMS that all of these programs be charged in a fair and

equitable manner and that all costs be covered.

All direct program costs should be charged to the appropriate

program. These costs include salaries and benefits of employees

directly involved in the daily workload associated with commodity

boards. Other costs would be travel to board meetings, rent for office

space for the employees directly working on the programs, printing of

any documents, supplies, equipment, and anything else needed to

complete the necessary work involved in overseeing the programs.

Direct program costs, including costs billed to AMS by other USDA

and government agencies for authorized services provided in the support

of the various boards, will be charged to the appropriate board. In

addition, costs billed to AMS by states for actual unemployment claims

paid to former board employees will be charged to the appropriate board

when the bills are received by AMS.

The cost of agency overhead should also be charged to the boards.

Overhead includes those costs incurred by the agency, the respective

Deputy Administrator, and other offices involved in board oversight.

These costs should be distributed in proportion to the direct program

cost. In order to ensure that these costs are readily available for

billing, internal AMS distributive subcenters should include a

percentage charge for each program. As an option, depending on the

organization levels involved in supervision of the boards and the

amount of oversight provided, Deputy Administrator charges may be

included in direct costs. The cost of agency overhead for the oversight

of the boards is also charged to the boards.

Budgets

AMS will review for approval board-submitted budgets prior to the

start of the board's fiscal year. When submitting budgets to AMS, the

boards must include detailed information regarding administrative

expenses and a written description of contract costs. Budget

submissions must include, at a minimum, the following components:

(1) A statement of objectives and strategy in each major program

area (promotion, advertising, research, etc.), including reasons for

significant changes from the preceding budget period.

(2) A summary of anticipated revenue (assessments, interest,

donations, etc.) and anticipated refunds, where applicable, with

comparative data for at least one preceding year.

(3) A summary of proposed expenditures by major program areas with

comparative data for at least one preceding year.

(4) Staff and administrative expense breakdown, with comparative

data for at least one preceding year.

AMS will review for approval amendments or additions to approved

budgets, including shifting of program funds from one major area to

another. Shifts that are consistent with governing bylaws need not have

prior approval by AMS.

Conflict of Interest

AMS will provide guidance to assist boards in developing written

policies to safeguard against and deal with conflict of interest

situations, and such policies will be reviewed and approved by AMS.

These policies shall include, at a minimum, the requirements that: (1)

Board members and employees must disclose any relationship with any

organization or company that has a contract with the board or that

operates a qualified state or regional program and (2) No board member

may vote on any matter in which the member has a financial interest, or

regarding any contract with any entity of which the member is a member

of the board.

In addition, each board should ensure that its responsibilities and

duties have not been delegated or otherwise relinquished to another

organization.

Programs issued under the generic statute shall comply with the

conflict of interest provisions of that statute.

Contracts

Competitive Bids

Boards must follow sound business principles and practices in

awarding contracts. Fundamental elements of good contracting are the

identification of realistic alternates and the use of competitive

bidding procedures. AMS believes it is each board's responsibility to

incorporate these principles and practices into its operation

procedures. Accordingly, each board must (1) develop an acquisition

plan that specifies its processes for identifying alternative sources

and obtaining competitive bids and (2) assign to a board committee the

responsibility for monitoring contracting practices. These practices

should also be reviewed regularly by the board's CPA.

The principles applied in awarding board contracts must also be

followed by those contractors in awarding subcontracts.

If competitive bidding is not used, a reason for not doing so will

be stated and placed in the board's contract file along with an

alternative process to verify the reasonableness of the cost.

None of the requirements stated here shall be interpreted to (1)

prohibit multi-year contracting or (2) require boards to select the

lowest cost bidder when, in the board's judgment, other factors are

deemed more important.

[[Page 70685]]

Contract Approval

AMS will review for approval written contracts for the development

and carrying out of programs or projects of promotion, advertising,

development, or education and written contracts for legal assistance

and other consultants. AMS will review contracts for conformance with

the applicable statutes and regulations and with AMS and USDA

requirements. Contracts must include a provision prohibiting the use of

assessment funds for lobbying activities. Contracts must be approved

prior to the start of activities to be carried out under the contract.

AMS will require boards to formally notify potential contractors that

any work they undertake prior to contract approval by USDA is at their

own risk as boards are not financially liable if the contract is not

approved by USDA. AMS reserves the right to review for approval any and

all contracts and subcontracts and to require AMS prior approval of any

such contracts.

When a board relies heavily on its industry trade association in

carrying out its program, there must be highly effective ``fire walls''

between board activities and other activities of the trade association.

These fire walls should include: (1) Completely separate accounting

systems and thorough segregation of board funds from trade association

funds, all of which should be audited each year by the board's

independent CPA; (2) Careful computation and documentation of the trade

association's overhead or indirect charges to the board, supported by

strict recordkeeping; and (3) Strict policies on what the trade

association may and may not do with checkoff funds.

Contract Compliance

Boards are responsible for ensuring compliance by the contractors

and subcontractors with the terms of their contracts.

Diversity and Nominations

Diversity on Boards

It is USDA policy that membership on industry-governed boards and

committees accurately reflect, to the extent practicable, the diversity

of individuals served by the programs. Diversity includes the size of

operation, segment of the industry, and geographical distribution as

well as gender, ethnicity, race, and disability.

Nominations

To facilitate the nomination of individuals to serve as members of

boards and nominating entities, AMS will work with the boards to

establish time frames to seek to avoid bottlenecks in the clearance

process within USDA. Boards are urged to provide, to the extent

possible, statements to nominating entities that ``all nominees must be

in good standing with Department of Agriculture programs.'' AMS will

also include this statement in news releases and other publicity

announcing nominations for boards and nominating entities.

Financial Accountability

Each board must maintain a comprehensive financial accounting

system and must maintain and make available to USDA representatives, on

request, all appropriate books and records.

Each board must prepare a comprehensive set of annual financial

statements. These statements, which must be prepared in accordance with

generally accepted accounting principles, should include:

(1) a balance sheet;

(2) a statement of revenues and expenses;

(3) a statement of changes in fund balance;

(4) a statement of cash flows;

(5) a schedule, showing the following in three columns and

containing footnotes explaining any significant variances: (a) The

USDA-approved budget (plan) by each major category; (b) The annual

expenditures against each budget category (actual); and (c) and

variances between planned and actual expenditures; and

(6) any other financial statements, schedules, or explanations as

may be requested by the board or USDA to provide sufficient information

for effective management, monitoring, or decision making.

Where refunds are applicable, the financial records should include

all appropriate details on assessments paid, requests for refunds, and

refunds issued.

Influencing Legislation or Government Policy or Action

In the process of monitoring board activities, it is important for

AMS to be aware of any actions which may be in conflict with the

legislative prohibitions regarding influencng legislative and/or

government policy. This prohibition on the use of check-off funds

applies equally to any trade/producer organizations funded wholly or in

part by a particular board or contractors to the boards.

However, this does not affect a trade/producer organization's

ability to lobby with non-check-off funds. Likewise, there are no

restrictions on individual board members, except when acting in an

official capacity for the board.

Influencing legislation is defined as (1) any attempt to influence

any legislation or any attempt to affect the opinions of the general

public or any segment thereof concerning legislation; or (2) any

attempt to influence any legislation through communication with any

member or employee of a legislative body or with any governmental

official who may participate in the formulation of legislation.

Influencing of governmental policy or action is defined as any

action the principal purpose of which is to bring about a change in

existing policy or regulation or affect the outcome of proposed policy

or regulation, except those actions which are specifically provided for

in the act, order, and/or rules and regulations. Exceptions: With the

approval of the Secretary, a board may request a ceremonial government

action, such as the proclamation of a state or national month for the

commodity it represents, and may provide information to USDA regarding

government purchases of the commodity it represents.

These prohibitions do not preclude commodity boards from providing

factual information to government officials, provided the information

is presented in an unbiased manner and does not advocate a specific

course of action.

AMS will require each board member to acknowledge in writing that

the person understands the prohibition on using assessment funds for

lobbying or attempting to influence legislation, government action or

government policy, and agrees to act in accordance with that

prohibition.

Other Government Agencies

AMS will be responsible for developing appropriate working

relationships with other government agencies which have

responsibilities related to these programs. For example, AMS will be

responsible for ensuring close coordination with the FAS any time

check-off funds are used for foreign activities. FAS has oversight

responsibility of the Foreign Market Development and the Market Access

Programs, and checkoff funding is made available to some participants

in these FAS supervised programs. However, in all cases, FAS must have

the opportunity to approve the boards' budgets, plans, and projects

that focus on international activities. FAS approval will be subject to

compliance with the checkoff legislation as well as other FAS

requirements. Likewise, for programs with import assessment provisions,

it is the responsibility of AMS to maintain a close liaison with

[[Page 70686]]

the U.S. Customs Service. Similarly, as required by section 1999T of

the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990, AMS will

consult with the United States Trade Representative on any proposed new

or amended commodity promotion order which would assess imports.

Program Progress and Evaluation

AMS will receive copies of annual progress reports on program

activities and expenditures.

Not less often than every five years, each board shall obtain an

independent evaluation of the effectiveness of its generic promotion

program. Each board shall submit to the Secretary and make available to

the public the results of each periodic independent evaluation.

The methodology of the results must be credible, shareholder

returns must be estimated, and the results must be presented in non-

technical terms. Ideally, each board will commission econometric

studies or other formal statistical models which would be subject to

peer review. However, AMS recognizes differences in the availability of

data and financial resources among the various boards. Therefore, other

types of evaluation may also be used to meet the requirement to conduct

periodic evaluations. Other types of evaluation include, but are not

limited to, focus group interviews, Nielson and Gallup polls, National

Eating Trend data, and supermarket scanning data. Boards which do not

conduct econometric evaluations are required to submit their evaluation

plans to AMS for review and comment.

Promotional and Educational Materials

AMS will review all plans and projects of commodity boards and

approve those that are in compliance with the applicable legislative

authority.

AMS will disapprove any advertising that it considers to be

disparaging to another commodity or false and misleading. AMS will also

disapprove any promotional material that it deems derogatory to

individuals with respect to ethnicity, gender, race, physical

abilities, or religion. The commodity programs may refer any

questionable advertisements to the AMS Functional Committee on Research

and Promotion Programs for review and for its recommendation.

Each board shall regularly provide to AMS all commodity promotional

campaigns--advertising, consumer education programs, and other

promotional materials for review and approval and the advertisements or

printed materials generated in the campaign.

AMS review of nutritional claims will include verification of the

supporting data to determine compliance with USDA Agricultural Handbook

8-1, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, Federal Trade Commission

policy, Food and Drug Administration food labeling regulations, and

other applicable Federal regulations.

Referendum Policies

Bonds

AMS will require the proponent of a new program to post a bond or

submit an irrevocable letter of credit to cover any up-front referendum

and other implementation costs.

Influencing Voters

Boards, board members, and board employees acting in their official

capacities are prohibited from attempting to influence voters, and no

board funds may be expended for that purpose. Board funds may not be

used to state a position for or against a referendum issue or a

petition or to promote a ``yes'' or a ``no'' vote in a referendum.

During period of referenda, requests for referenda, polls, or any

petition process, however, board funds may be used: (1) For

communication activities to inform industry how checkoff dollars are

being spent and (2) to provide unbiased factual information concerning

the referendum, poll, or petition process. Board funds may also be used

to encourage those covered by a program to exercise their right to

vote.

Petitions for Referenda

All of the statutes provide some type of mechanism for industry to

request a referendum to determine if an individual program should be

terminated. The most common requirement is that the Secretary must hold

a referendum at the request of 10 percent or more of the persons who

are covered by the program.

Referendum Ballots

Unless another method is required by statute, AMS will conduct all

referenda by mail ballot, fax, or electronic means (when proper

safeguards are in place). Further, in order to facilitate the

verification of voter eligibility and the validity of ballots cast in

referenda, the voters' name, address, telephone number, and

certification will not be separated from the vote. All referenda

includes referenda on implementing, continuing, amending, suspending,

or terminating national research and promotion programs.

Refunds for Programs Under the Generic Statute

When a new program is implemented with a delayed referendum and

refunds of assessments are required if the industry votes to terminate

the program:

(1) boards must disseminate procedures for receiving refunds to all

persons subject to assessments under the program in a timely manner;

(2) boards, board members, and board employees may not exert

pressure of any kind to discourage the application for refunds;

(3) the names of individuals applying for or obtaining refunds must

be kept confidential and made available only to appropriate staff

personnel; and

(4) refund information released will be limited to the aggregate

dollar amount and the number of persons receiving refunds by State,

region, or nationwide. No information may be released that would in any

way readily identify individual persons or firms.

Appendix I--Industry-Specific Legislation

Legislation for Current Programs

Beef Promotion and Research Act (1985)

Cotton Research and Promotion Act (1996)

Dairy Production Stabilization Act (1983)

Egg Research and Consumer Information Act (1974)

Fluid Milk Promotion Act of 1990

Honey Research Promotion and Consumer Information Act of 1984)

Mushroom Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act of 1990

Popcorn Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act of 1996

Pork Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act of 1985

Potato Research and Promotion Act (1971)

Soybean Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act of (1990)

Watermelon Research and Promotion Act (1985)

Other Legislation

Canola and Rapeseed Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information

Act of (1996)

Floral Research and Consumer Information Act of (1981)

Fresh Cut Flowers and Fresh Cut Greens Promotion and Information Act

of 1993

Lime Research, Promotion and Consumer Information Act of 1990

National Kiwifruit Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Act

(1996)

Pecan Promotion and Research Act of 1990

Sheep Promotion, Research and Information Act of 1994

Wheat and Wheat Foods Research and Nutrition Education Act (1977)

Dated: December 14, 1999.

Kathleen A. Merrigan,

Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.

[FR Doc. 99-32730 Filed 12-15-99; 12:00 pm]

BILLING CODE 3410-02-P