E7-648. Beef Promotion and Research; Certification of Nominating Organizations

AGENCY:

Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Notice.

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.

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 [e-mail]. 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 [e-mail].

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 § 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 § 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.