[Federal Register: December 27, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 247)]
[Notices]
[Page 77576]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27de04-122]
[[Page 77576]]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[No. LS-04-12]
Notice of Opportunity to Participate in the Lamb Promotion,
Research, and Information Program Referendum
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is announcing that a
referendum will be conducted under the Lamb Promotion, Research, and
Information Order (Order) to determine whether those persons voting
favor the continuance of the Order.
DATES: This referendum will be conducted during a 4-week period
beginning on January 31, 2005, and ending on February 28, 2005. To be
eligible to participate in the referendum, persons must certify and
provide supporting documentation that shows them, or the entity they
are authorized to represent, have been engaged in the production,
feeding, or slaughter of lambs between January 1, 2004, and December
31, 2004.
Form LS-86, Lamb Promotion, Research, and Information Referendum,
may be obtained by mail, fax, or in person from the Farm Service Agency
(FSA) county offices from January 1, 2005, through February 28, 2005.
Form LS-86 may also be obtained via the Internet at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/lsg/mpb/rp-lamb.htm
during the same time period.
Completed forms and supporting documentation must be returned to the
appropriate county FSA offices by fax or in person no later than close
of business February 28, 2005, or if returned by mail must be
postmarked by midnight February 28, 2005, and received in the county
FSA office by close of business on March 7, 2005.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth R. Payne, Chief; Marketing
Programs Branch, Livestock and Seed Program; Agricultural Marketing
Service (AMS), USDA, Room 2638-S; STOP 0251; 1400 Independence Avenue,
SW.; Washington, DC. 20250-0251, telephone number 202/720-1115, fax
number 202/720-1125, or by e-mail at: Kenneth.Payne@usda.gov or Linda
Cronin; DAFO, USDA, FSA; STOP 0542; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.;
Washington, DC 20250-0542, telephone number 202/690-8034, fax number
202/720-5900, or by e-mail at: Linda.Cronin@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Commodity Promotion,
Research, and Information Act of 1996 (Act) (7 U.S.C. 7411-7425), it is
hereby directed that a referendum be conducted to ascertain whether
continuance of the Order is favored by those persons who have been
engaged in the production, feeding, or slaughtering of lamb from
January 1, 2004, through December 31, 2004.
The representative period for establishing voter eligibility for
the referendum shall be the period from January 1, 2004, through
December 31, 2004. Persons who were engaged in the production, feeding,
or slaughtering of lambs and who provide documentation, such as a sales
receipt or remittance form, showing that they were engaged in the
production, feeding, or slaughter of lambs from January 1, 2004,
through December 31, 2004, are eligible to vote.
Eligible voters will be provided the opportunity to vote at the
county FSA office where FSA maintains and processes the eligible
voter's administrative farm records. For the eligible voter not
participating in FSA programs, the opportunity to vote will be provided
at the FSA office serving the county where the person owns or rents
land. Participation in the referendum is not mandatory.
Elsewhere in this separate part of the Federal Register, USDA is
publishing a final rule that sets forth procedures that will be used in
conducting the referendum. The final rule includes definitions,
provisions for supervising the referendum process, eligibility,
procedures for obtaining and completing the form LS-86, required
documentation showing that the person was engaged in the production,
feeding, or slaughter of lambs from January 1, 2004, through December
31, 2004, where the referendum will be conducted, counting and
reporting results, and disposition of the forms and records. Since the
referendum will be conducted at the county FSA offices, FSA employees
will assist AMS by determining eligibility, counting requests, and
reporting results.
Pursuant to the Act, USDA is conducting the required referendum
from January 31, 2005, through February 28, 2005.
Form LS-86 may be requested in person, by mail, or by facsimile
from January 31, 2005 through February 28, 2005. Form LS-86 may also be
obtained via the Internet at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/lsg/mpb/rp-lamb.htm
during the same 4-week period. Eligible voters would vote at
the FSA office where FSA maintains and processes the person's,
corporation's, or other entity's administrative farm records. For the
person, corporation, or other entity eligible to vote that does not
participate in FSA programs, the opportunity to vote would be provided
at the FSA office serving the county where the person, corporation, or
other entity owns or rents land.
Voters can determine the location of county FSA offices by
contacting (1) the nearest FSA office, (2) the State FSA office, or (3)
through an online search of FSA's website at: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/pas/default.asp.
From the options available on this Web site select
``Your local office,'' click on your State, and click on the map to
select a county.
Form LS-86 and supporting documentation may be returned in person,
by mail, or facsimile to the appropriate county FSA office. Form LS-86,
and accompanying documentation returned in person or by facsimile, must
be received in the appropriate FSA office prior to the close of
business on February 28, 2005. Form LS-86 and accompanying
documentation returned by mail must be postmarked no later than
midnight of February 28, 2005, and received in the county office by
close of business on March 7, 2005.
In accordance with Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35),
the information collection requirements have been approved under OMB
number 0581-0227.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 7411-7425.
Dated: December 20, 2004.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 04-28165 Filed 12-21-04; 11:38 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P