[Federal Register: January 15, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 10)]
[Notices]
[Page 2327-2328]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15ja04-27]
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Notices
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
appearing in this section.
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[[Page 2327]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[No. LS-04-03]
Lamb Promotion, Research, and Information: Certification of
Organizations for Eligibility To Make Nominations to the Lamb
Promotion, Research, and Information 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, regional, and national lamb producer, seedstock producer,
feeder, and first handler organizations or associations that desire to
be certified as eligible to nominate lamb producers, seedstock
producers, lamb feeders, or first handlers of lamb or lamb products for
appointment to the Lamb Promotion, Research, and Information Board
(Board). Previously certified organizations do not need to reapply. To
nominate a producer, seedstock producer, feeder, or first handler
member to the Board, organizations must first be certified by USDA.
Notice is also given that upcoming vacancies are anticipated and that
during a period to be established by USDA, nominations will be accepted
from eligible organizations.
DATES: Applications for certification must be received by close of
business February 17, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Certification form LS-82 as well as information regarding
the certification and nomination procedures may be requested from
Kenneth R. Payne, Chief; Marketing Programs Branch, Room 2638-S;
Livestock and Seed Program; AMS, USDA; STOP 0251; 1400 Independence
Avenue, SW.; Washington, DC 20250-0251 or obtained via the Internet at
http://www.ams.usda.gov/lsg/mpb/lamb/lambforms.htm.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth R. Payne, Chief, Marketing
Programs Branch on (202) 720-1115, via facsimile on (202) 720-1125, or
via e-mail at Kenneth.Payne@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commodity Promotion, Research, and
Consumer Information Act of 1996 (Act) (7 U.S.C. 7411 et seq.)
authorizes the establishment and implementation of a lamb promotion,
research, and information program. Pursuant to the Act, a proposed Lamb
Promotion, Research, and Information Order (Order) was published in the
Federal Register on September 21, 2001 (66 FR 48764). The final Order
was published in the Federal Register on April 11, 2002 (67 FR 17848).
The Order provides for the establishment of a 13-member Board that
consists of 6 producers representing regions east and west of the
Mississippi River, 3 feeders representing regions east and west of the
Mississippi River, 1 seedstock producer, and 3 first handlers appointed
by USDA. Of the six producers, two must be located east of the
Mississippi River and represent the eastern region; two must be located
west of the Mississippi River and represent the western region; while
the remaining two can be selected without regard to the geographic
location. The feeders cannot all be located in the same geographic
region. The duties and responsibilities of the Board are provided under
the Order.
The Order provides that USDA shall certify or otherwise determine
the eligibility of any State, regional, or national lamb producer,
seedstock producer, feeder, or first handler organizations or
associations that meets the eligibility criteria established under the
Order. Those organizations that meet the eligibility criteria specified
under the Order will be certified as eligible to nominate members for
appointment to the Board. Those organizations should ensure that the
nominees represent the interests of producers, seedstock producers,
feeders, and first handlers.
The Order provides that the members of the Board shall serve for
terms of 3 years, except that appointments to the initially established
Board shall be proportionately for 1-, 2-, and 3-year terms. No person
may serve more than two consecutive 3-year terms. USDA will announce
when nominations will be due from eligible organizations and when any
subsequent nominations are due when a vacancy does or will exist. The
following unit/regions have vacancies in early 2005:
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Unit/Region Members
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Producer Member: From either Region 1 or Region 2--Must own 1
annually 100 or less head of lambs........................
Producer Member: From either Region 1 or Region 2--Must own 1
annually more than 500 head of lambs......................
Feeder Member: From either Region 1 or Region 2--Either 1
less than 5,000 lambs fed annually or 5,000 or more lambs
fed annually..............................................
First Handler Member....................................... 1
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Any eligible producer, seedstock producer, feeder, or first handler
organization that is not currently certified and is interested in being
certified to nominate producers, seedstock producers, feeders, or first
handlers for appointment to the Board, must complete and submit an
official ``Application for Certification of Organization,'' form. That
form must be received by close of business February 17, 2004.
Only those organizations that meet the criteria for certification
of eligibility specified under Sec. 1280.206(b) under the Order are
eligible for certification. In certifying an organization, the
following will be considered:
(1) The geographic territory covered by the active membership of
the organization;
(2) The nature and size of the active membership of the
organization, including the number of active producers, seedstock
producers, feeders, or first handlers represented by the organization;
(3) Evidence of stability and permanency of the organization;
(4) Sources from which the operating funds of the organizations are
derived;
(5) The functions of the organization; and
(6) The ability and willingness of the organization to further the
purpose and objectives of the Act.
In addition, the primary consideration in determining the
eligibility of an organization will be:
[[Page 2328]]
(1) The membership of the organization consists primarily of
producers, seedstock producers, feeders, or first handlers who market
or handle a substantial quantity of lamb or lamb products; and
(2) A primary purpose of the organization is in the production or
marketing of lamb and lamb products.
All certified organizations will be notified in writing of the
beginning and ending dates of the established nomination period and
will be provided with required nomination forms.
The information collection requirements referenced in this notice
has been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under
the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.,
Chapter 35) and have been assigned OMB No. 0581-0198, except Board
nominees information form has been assigned OMB No. 0505-0001.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 7411-7425.
Dated: January 9 2004.
A. J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 04-845 Filed 1-14-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P