[Federal Register: December 10, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 237)]
[Notices]
[Page 68857-68858]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10de03-31]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[No. LS-04-02]
Beef Promotion and Research: Certification and Nomination for the
Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Department of Agriculture's
(USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is accepting applications
from State cattle producer organizations or associations and general
farm organizations, as well as cattle or beef importer organizations,
who desire to be certified to nominate producers or importers for
appointment to vacant positions on the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and
Research Board (Board). Organizations which have not previously been
certified that are interested in submitting nominations must complete
and submit an official application form to AMS. Previously certified
organizations do not need to reapply. Notice is also given that
vacancies will occur on the Board and that during a period to be
established, nominations will be accepted from eligible organizations
and individual importers.
DATES: Applications for certification must be received by close of
business January 9, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Certification form as well as copies of the certification
and nomination procedures may be requested from Kenneth R. Payne,
Chief; Marketing Programs Branch, LS, AMS, USDA; STOP 0251-Room 2638-S;
1400 Independence Avenue, SW.; Washington, DC 20250-0251. The form may
also be found on the Internet at http://www.ams.usda.gov/lsg/mpb/beef/ls25.pdf
.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth R. Payne, Chief, Marketing
Programs Branch on 202/720-1115.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985
(Act)(7 U.S.C. 2901 et seq.), enacted December 23, 1985, authorizes the
implementation of a Beef Promotion and Research Order (Order). The
Order, as published in the July 18, 1986, Federal Register (51 FR
26132), provides for the establishment of a Board. The current Board
consists of 100 cattle producers and 8 importers appointed by USDA. The
duties and responsibilities of the Board are specified in the Order.
The Act and the Order provide that USDA shall either certify or
otherwise determine the eligibility of State cattle producer
organizations or associations and general farm organizations, as well
as any importer organizations or associations to nominate members to
the Board to ensure that nominees represent the interests of cattle
producers and importers. Nominations for importer representatives may
also be made by individuals who import cattle, beef, or beef products.
Persons who are individual importers do not need to be certified as
eligible to submit nominations. When individual importers submit
nominations, they must establish to the satisfaction of USDA that they
are in fact importers of cattle, beef, or beef products, pursuant to
Sec. 1260.143(b)(2) of the Order [7 CFR 1260.143(b)(2)]. Individual
importers are encouraged to contact AMS at the above address to obtain
further information concerning the nomination process, including the
beginning and ending dates of the established nomination period and
required nomination forms and background information sheets.
Certification and nomination procedures were promulgated in the final
rule, published in the April 4, 1986, Federal Register (51 FR 11557)
and currently appear at 7 CFR Sec. 1260.500 through Sec. 1260.640.
Organizations which have previously been certified to nominate members
to the Board do not need to reapply for certification to nominate
producers and importers for the upcoming vacancies.
The Act and the Order provide that the members of the Board shall
serve for terms of 3 years. The Order also requires USDA to announce
when a Board vacancy does or will exist. The following States have one
or more members whose terms will expire in early 2005:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of
State or unit vacancies
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Alabama.................................................... 1
Arkansas................................................... 1
California................................................. 2
Colorado................................................... 1
Florida.................................................... 1
Idaho...................................................... 1
Illinois................................................... 1
Indiana.................................................... 1
Iowa....................................................... 2
Kansas..................................................... 2
Kentucky................................................... 1
Minnesota.................................................. 1
Missouri................................................... 2
Montana.................................................... 1
Nebraska................................................... 2
New York................................................... 1
North Dakota............................................... 1
Ohio....................................................... 1
Oklahoma................................................... 2
Oregon..................................................... 1
Pennsylvania............................................... 1
South Dakota............................................... 1
Tennessee.................................................. 1
Texas...................................................... 5
Virginia................................................... 1
Wisconsin.................................................. 1
Northwest Unit............................................. 1
Southeast Unit............................................. 1
Importer Unit.............................................. 1
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Since there are no anticipated vacancies on the Board for the
remaining States' positions, or for the positions of the Northwest
unit, nominations will not be solicited from certified organizations or
associations in those States or units.
Uncertified eligible producer organizations and general farm
organizations in all States that are interested in being certified as
eligible to nominate cattle producers for appointment to the listed
producer positions, must complete and submit an official ``Application
for Certification of Organization or Association,'' which must be
received by close of business [January 9, 2004]. Uncertified eligible
importer organizations that are interested in being certified as
eligible to nominate importers for appointment to the listed importer
positions must apply by the same date. Importers should not use the
application form but should provide the requested information by letter
as provided for in 7 CFR 1260.540(b). Applications from States or units
without vacant positions
[[Page 68858]]
on the Board and other applications not received within the 30-day
period after publication of this notice in the Federal Register will be
considered for eligibility to nominate producers or importers for
subsequent vacancies on the Board.
Only those organizations or associations which meet the criteria
for certification of eligibility promulgated at 7 CFR Sec. 1260.530
are eligible for certification. Those criteria are:
(a) For State organizations or associations:
(1) Total paid membership must be comprised of at least a majority
of cattle producers or represent at least a majority of cattle
producers in a State or unit,
(2) Membership must represent a substantial number of producers who
produce a substantial number of cattle in such State or unit,
(3) There must be a history of stability and permanency, and
(4) There must be a primary or overriding purpose of promoting the
economic welfare of cattle producers.
(b) For organizations or associations representing importers, the
determination by USDA as to the eligibility of importer organizations
or associations to nominate members to the Board shall be based on
applications containing the following information:
(1) The number and type of members represented (i.e., beef or
cattle importers, etc.),
(2) Annual import volume in pounds of beef and beef products and/or
the number of head of cattle,
(3) The stability and permanency of the importer organization or
association,
(4) The number of years in existence, and
(5) The names of the countries of origin for cattle, beef, or beef
products imported.
All certified organizations and associations, including those that
were previously certified in the States or units having vacant
positions on the Board, will be notified simultaneously in writing of
the beginning and ending dates of the established nomination period and
will be provided with required nomination forms and background
information sheets.
The names of qualified nominees received by the established due
date will be submitted to USDA for consideration as appointees to the
Board.
The information collection requirements referenced in this notice
have been previously approved by the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) under the provisions of 44 U.S.C., Chapter 35 and have been
assigned OMB No. 0581-0093, except Board member nominee information
sheets are assigned OMB No. 0505-0001.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 2901 et seq.
Dated: December 4, 2003.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 03-30604 Filed 12-9-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P