[Federal Register: January 18, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 11)]
[Notices]
[Page 2255-2256]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr18ja07-35]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket No. LS-07-04]
Beef Promotion and Research; Certification of Nominating
Organizations
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.
[[Page 2256]]
DATES: Applications for certification must be received by close of
business February 20, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Certification form may be requested form Kenneth R. Payne,
Chief, Marketing Programs Branch, Livestock and Seed Program, AMS,
USDA, Room 2628-S, STOP 0251, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20250-0251 or e-mail Kenneth.Payne@usda.gov. 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, Livestock and Seed Program, AMS, USDA, Room 2628-S,
STOP 0251, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-0251 or
e-mail Kenneth.Payne@usda.gov.
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 96 cattle producers and 8 importers appointed by the
Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary). 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 1260.500 through 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.
Uncertified eligible producer organization 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
of Certification of Organization or Association,'' which must be
received by close of business (20-days after publication in the Federal
Register). 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 by should provide
the requested information by letter as provided for in CFR Sec.
1260.540(b).
Only those organizations or associations which meet the criteria
for certification of eligibility promulgated at 7 CFR 1260.530 are
eligible for certification.
For State organizations or associations those criteria are:
(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.
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: January 12, 2007.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. E7-648 Filed 1-17-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P