[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 242 (Friday, December 17, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70682-70686]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-32730]
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Notices
Federal Register
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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
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Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 242 / Friday, December 17, 1999 /
Notices
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[AMS-00-01]
Guidelines for AMS Oversight of Commodity Research and Promotion
Programs
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice; request for comment.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking comments on
the ``Guidelines for AMS Oversight of Commodity Research and Promotion
Programs'' (Guidelines). USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)
developed the guidelines to facilitate uniform oversight of national
research and promotion programs which have been implemented under
numerous Federal statutes. The guidelines are part of the findings and
recommendations of the Research and Promotion Task Force (task force)
that was created by Secretary Glickman in November 1998. The task force
held a public meeting in March 1999 and held several working meetings
to review the oversight responsibilities of AMS and board operations.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 17, 2000.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Interested persons are invited to
submit written comments concerning this notice to: Barbara C. Robinson,
Deputy Associate Administrator, Room 3069 South Bldg., U.S. Department
of Agriculture, AMS, OA, Washington, DC 20250; telephone (202) 720-
4276; fax (202) 690-3967. Comments should be submitted in triplicate
and will be made available for public inspection at the above address
during regular business hours. Comments may also be submitted
electronically to: public.comments@usda.gov. All comments should
indicate the docket number and the date and page number of this issue
of the Federal Register. A copy of this notice may be found at:
www.AMS.USDA.Gov/R&P/.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice is authorized under the
following Federal statutes: the Beef Promotion and Research [7 U.S.C.
2901-2911]; the Canola and Rapeseed Research, Promotion, and Consumer
Information Act [7 U.S.C. 7441-7452]; the Commodity Promotion,
Research, and Information Act of 1996 [7 U.S.C. 7411-7425]; the Cotton
Research and Promotion Act [7 U.S.C. 2101-2118]; the Dairy Production
Stabilization Act of 1983 [7 U.S.C. 4501-4513]; the Egg Research and
Consumer Information Act [7 U.S.C. 2701-2718]; the Floral Research and
Consumer Information Act [7 U.S.C. 4301-4319]; the Fluid Milk Promotion
Act of 1990 [7 U.S.C. 6401-6417]; the Fresh Cut Flowers and Fresh Cut
Greens Promotion and Consumer Information Act [7 U.S.C. 6801-6814]; the
Honey Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Act, as amended [7
U.S.C. 4601-4612]; the Lime Research, Promotion, and Consumer
Information Act, as amended [7 U.S.C. 6201-6212]; the Mushroom
Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act of 1990 [7 U.S.C.
6101-6112]; the National Kiwifruit Research, Promotion, and Consumer
Information Act [7 U.S.C. 7461-7473]; the Pecan Promotion and Research
Act of 1990 [7 U.S.C. 6001-6013]; the Popcorn Promotion, Research, and
Consumer Information Act [7 U.S.C. 7481-7491]; the Pork Promotion,
Research, and Consumer Information Act [7 U.S.C. 4801-4819]; the Potato
Research and Promotion Act, as amended [7 U.S.C. 2611-2627]; the Sheep
Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1994 [7 U.S.C. 7101-7111];
the Soybean Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act [7 U.S.C.
6301-6311]; the Watermelon Research and Promotion Act, as amended [7
U.S.C. 4901-4916]; and the Wheat and Wheat Foods Research and Nutrition
Education Act [7 U.S.C. 3401-3417].
There are currently 13 active programs under these statutes: beef,
cotton, dairy, eggs, fluid milk, honey, mushrooms, peanuts, popcorn,
pork, potatoes, soybeans, and watermelons.
AMS is seeking public comment on the Guidelines which have been
developed to promote uniformity in the oversight of these and any
future programs.
Guidelines for AMS Oversight of Commodity Research and Promotion
Programs
Table of Contents
Introduction
Purpose of Guidelines
Administration
Administrative Reviews
Audits
Board Administrative Expenses
Board Meetings
Board Member Orientation
Board Travel and Meeting Expenses
Bylaws and Policy Statements
Compliance
Investment of Funds
Legal Counsel
User Fees
Budgets
Conflict of Interest
Contracts
Competitive Bids
Contract Approval
Contract Compliance
Diversity and Nominations
Diversity on Boards
Nominations
Financial Accountability
Influencing Legislation or Government Policy or Action
Other Government Agencies
Program Progress and Evaluation
Promotional and Educational Materials
Referendum Policies
Bonds
Influencing Voters
Petitions for Referenda
Referendum Ballots
Refunds for Programs under the Generic Statute
Appendix I: List of Industry-Specific Legislation
Introduction
National research and promotion programs are designed to strengthen
the position of a commodity in the marketplace, maintain and expand
existing domestic and foreign markets, and develop new uses and markets
for specified agricultural commodities. They are administered by the
U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service
(AMS) and funded by assessments collected from designated segments of
industry.
Until 1996, industry-specific legislation had to be passed by
Congress before a national program could be established. (See Appendix
I.) However, under the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information
Act of 1996 (generic statute), industry groups may
[[Page 70683]]
submit a proposal directly to AMS requesting that a program be
implemented. All programs require rulemaking and a referendum to
determine if those who pay assessments approve the programs.
The programs are run by industry boards and councils (boards)
appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) from industry
nominations.
Purpose of Guidelines
These Guidelines are designed to facilitate the application of the
legislative and regulatory provisions of the acts and orders or plans
(orders), subject to the unique language of individual legislation as
determined by AMS. They are designed to promote uniformity in the
oversight of all commodity research and promotion programs. The
Guidelines shall be reviewed annually and amended as necessary.
Administration
Administrative Reviews
To the extent practicable, AMS will conduct periodic administrative
reviews of board operations to ensure adherence to AMS policy. Selected
areas for examination will include, but not be limited to, travel
expenses of board members and staff, contract compliance, and
investment of funds. In general, boards should operate through an
appropriate set of oversight committees that deal with each board's
major budget items (see Budgets section of these Guidelines); board
members should be given adequate information on all significant
projects, proposals, issues, etc., and an outline of options for their
consideration in decision making; and the board and its committees
should document their decisions in an official set of minutes. Board
members must be given adequate information on ongoing operations to
allow the board to exercise appropriate management control. This can be
accomplished through a series of progress reports on ongoing activities
and accomplishment reports on completed activities.
Audits
Each board shall engage a certified public accountant (CPA) to
perform a comprehensive financial statement audit each year.
These audits must be conducted in accordance with the Generally
Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS) prescribed by the
Comptroller General of the United States. Such an audit must cover the
financial statements specified in the Financial Accountability section
of these Guidelines and must include such procedures as are necessary
for the auditor to express an opinion on the financial statements and
such additional procedures as may be necessary for the auditor to
express an opinion on the board's internal control system and its
compliance with all applicable laws and regulations including the
program's enabling statute, the order which established the program,
and AMS policies and guidelines.
AMS shall: (a) Review and approve each board's contract with its
CPA; (b) review and approve the details of the engagement between the
board and its CPA; (c) have the option of attending any entrance or
exit conference with the CPA; and (d) receive a copy of the CPA's audit
report and copies of all correspondence between the board and its CPA.
AMS officials will evaluate each audit report and may request
additional information if needed. Boards must promptly follow up on all
audit findings and auditor's recommendations and must fully inform AMS
of all such activity.
If special circumstances arise, (e.g., a theft or loss of control
of board assets or a serious breakdown in internal controls), AMS may
require a board to engage a CPA to perform a one-time, focused review
to ascertain the causes and results of a problem and to make
recommendations for corrective or preventive action.
Board Administrative Expenses
Recognizing inherent differences in implementing laws or
regulations, scope, and funding among promotion programs, AMS expects
each board and state association or other organization, authorized by
law to receive assessment funding, to establish and maintain the
minimum level of annual administrative expenses necessary to
efficiently and effectively carry out the programs mandated by law.
Each board shall include its annual administrative expenses as a
separate item in its annual report. AMS or the board may require a
state association or other organization receiving board funds to report
its annual administrative expenses in a similar manner. Each board must
adhere to its fiduciary responsibilities and ensure that all monies are
spent wisely and in accordance with laws and regulations.
The Secretary's costs for oversight of the commodity boards should
not be considered as an administrative expense of the boards as these
charges are outside of the boards' control and management.
Pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 7401, Commodity Promotion and Evaluation, AMS
will annually provide to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry of the Senate information on the administrative expenses of
each research and promotion board.
Board Meetings
AMS requires advance notification from the boards of all board and
committee meetings as well as conference calls. AMS will attend all
board meetings and participate in conference calls and committee
meetings when deemed necessary by AMS.
In addition, it is important for boards to recognize that there are
many religious practices, and boards should keep this in mind when
scheduling meetings.
Board Member Orientation
AMS will participate in the orientation of new board members for
all programs. AMS will discuss USDA oversight responsibilities and
policies, including these Guidelines, so that new members can
understand and comply with them as well as the applicable statute and
order. AMS will require that all board members certify that they
understand the prohibition against using board funds to influence
legislation or government action or policy. The Office of the General
Counsel (OGC) will participate in the initial orientation of members of
new boards at the board's organizational meeting. OGC may participate,
at the request of AMS, in the orientation of new board members for
existing programs.
Board Travel and Meeting Expenses
Board members are not allowed a fee or compensation for board
service other than reimbursement for reasonable travel costs. However,
board members and employees (including staff contracted to perform
management and administrative services for a board) may be reimbursed
for reasonable and appropriate expenses.
AMS will provide guidance for boards to develop a written policy,
approved by AMS, for travel and meeting expenses. In addition, boards
must have in place sufficient internal controls to prevent
reimbursements or expenditures for unreasonable and potentially
controversial travel and meeting expenses. Unreasonable and potentially
controversial travel and meeting expenses include, but are not limited
to, first class travel, member golf outings, and entertainment that
does not directly
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further the purposes of the acts and orders.
Boards are prohibited from using assessment funds for expenses for
spouses or other family members of board members or employees, open
bars, and adult entertainment.
Bylaws and Policy Statements
AMS will review for approval the bylaws and amendments to bylaws
developed by the boards and require boards to establish policies which
cover board member and staff responsibilities, meeting procedures, and
travel and related expenses.
Compliance
The respective boards are responsible for promptly identifying
violations and violators and for securing compliance with the statutes,
order, and rules and regulations wherever possible. AMS will develop
with each board requirements and a timetable for the referral of
compliance cases to AMS for appropriate action. Upon receipt of
compliance cases, AMS will take one or more of the following actions:
(1) Send a certified letter requesting compliance within a specified
period; (2) Utilize National Finance Center collection procedures,
including administrative offset; and/or (3) Refer violations to the OGC
for action. Before discharging any delinquent debt, AMS will take all
appropriate steps to collect such debt.
Investments of Funds
AMS shall require the boards to follow the AMS investment policy to
ensure proper investment of board funds.
Legal Counsel
OGC will provide all legal counsel to the boards, except as may be
provided for under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between a board
and OGC. OGC will review all existing MOU's and recommend any needed
changes to ensure consistency among the boards.
User Fees
The authorizing legislation for each program requires the various
boards to reimburse AMS for its costs in overseeing the programs. It is
the policy of AMS that all of these programs be charged in a fair and
equitable manner and that all costs be covered.
All direct program costs should be charged to the appropriate
program. These costs include salaries and benefits of employees
directly involved in the daily workload associated with commodity
boards. Other costs would be travel to board meetings, rent for office
space for the employees directly working on the programs, printing of
any documents, supplies, equipment, and anything else needed to
complete the necessary work involved in overseeing the programs.
Direct program costs, including costs billed to AMS by other USDA
and government agencies for authorized services provided in the support
of the various boards, will be charged to the appropriate board. In
addition, costs billed to AMS by states for actual unemployment claims
paid to former board employees will be charged to the appropriate board
when the bills are received by AMS.
The cost of agency overhead should also be charged to the boards.
Overhead includes those costs incurred by the agency, the respective
Deputy Administrator, and other offices involved in board oversight.
These costs should be distributed in proportion to the direct program
cost. In order to ensure that these costs are readily available for
billing, internal AMS distributive subcenters should include a
percentage charge for each program. As an option, depending on the
organization levels involved in supervision of the boards and the
amount of oversight provided, Deputy Administrator charges may be
included in direct costs. The cost of agency overhead for the oversight
of the boards is also charged to the boards.
Budgets
AMS will review for approval board-submitted budgets prior to the
start of the board's fiscal year. When submitting budgets to AMS, the
boards must include detailed information regarding administrative
expenses and a written description of contract costs. Budget
submissions must include, at a minimum, the following components:
(1) A statement of objectives and strategy in each major program
area (promotion, advertising, research, etc.), including reasons for
significant changes from the preceding budget period.
(2) A summary of anticipated revenue (assessments, interest,
donations, etc.) and anticipated refunds, where applicable, with
comparative data for at least one preceding year.
(3) A summary of proposed expenditures by major program areas with
comparative data for at least one preceding year.
(4) Staff and administrative expense breakdown, with comparative
data for at least one preceding year.
AMS will review for approval amendments or additions to approved
budgets, including shifting of program funds from one major area to
another. Shifts that are consistent with governing bylaws need not have
prior approval by AMS.
Conflict of Interest
AMS will provide guidance to assist boards in developing written
policies to safeguard against and deal with conflict of interest
situations, and such policies will be reviewed and approved by AMS.
These policies shall include, at a minimum, the requirements that: (1)
Board members and employees must disclose any relationship with any
organization or company that has a contract with the board or that
operates a qualified state or regional program and (2) No board member
may vote on any matter in which the member has a financial interest, or
regarding any contract with any entity of which the member is a member
of the board.
In addition, each board should ensure that its responsibilities and
duties have not been delegated or otherwise relinquished to another
organization.
Programs issued under the generic statute shall comply with the
conflict of interest provisions of that statute.
Contracts
Competitive Bids
Boards must follow sound business principles and practices in
awarding contracts. Fundamental elements of good contracting are the
identification of realistic alternates and the use of competitive
bidding procedures. AMS believes it is each board's responsibility to
incorporate these principles and practices into its operation
procedures. Accordingly, each board must (1) develop an acquisition
plan that specifies its processes for identifying alternative sources
and obtaining competitive bids and (2) assign to a board committee the
responsibility for monitoring contracting practices. These practices
should also be reviewed regularly by the board's CPA.
The principles applied in awarding board contracts must also be
followed by those contractors in awarding subcontracts.
If competitive bidding is not used, a reason for not doing so will
be stated and placed in the board's contract file along with an
alternative process to verify the reasonableness of the cost.
None of the requirements stated here shall be interpreted to (1)
prohibit multi-year contracting or (2) require boards to select the
lowest cost bidder when, in the board's judgment, other factors are
deemed more important.
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Contract Approval
AMS will review for approval written contracts for the development
and carrying out of programs or projects of promotion, advertising,
development, or education and written contracts for legal assistance
and other consultants. AMS will review contracts for conformance with
the applicable statutes and regulations and with AMS and USDA
requirements. Contracts must include a provision prohibiting the use of
assessment funds for lobbying activities. Contracts must be approved
prior to the start of activities to be carried out under the contract.
AMS will require boards to formally notify potential contractors that
any work they undertake prior to contract approval by USDA is at their
own risk as boards are not financially liable if the contract is not
approved by USDA. AMS reserves the right to review for approval any and
all contracts and subcontracts and to require AMS prior approval of any
such contracts.
When a board relies heavily on its industry trade association in
carrying out its program, there must be highly effective ``fire walls''
between board activities and other activities of the trade association.
These fire walls should include: (1) Completely separate accounting
systems and thorough segregation of board funds from trade association
funds, all of which should be audited each year by the board's
independent CPA; (2) Careful computation and documentation of the trade
association's overhead or indirect charges to the board, supported by
strict recordkeeping; and (3) Strict policies on what the trade
association may and may not do with checkoff funds.
Contract Compliance
Boards are responsible for ensuring compliance by the contractors
and subcontractors with the terms of their contracts.
Diversity and Nominations
Diversity on Boards
It is USDA policy that membership on industry-governed boards and
committees accurately reflect, to the extent practicable, the diversity
of individuals served by the programs. Diversity includes the size of
operation, segment of the industry, and geographical distribution as
well as gender, ethnicity, race, and disability.
Nominations
To facilitate the nomination of individuals to serve as members of
boards and nominating entities, AMS will work with the boards to
establish time frames to seek to avoid bottlenecks in the clearance
process within USDA. Boards are urged to provide, to the extent
possible, statements to nominating entities that ``all nominees must be
in good standing with Department of Agriculture programs.'' AMS will
also include this statement in news releases and other publicity
announcing nominations for boards and nominating entities.
Financial Accountability
Each board must maintain a comprehensive financial accounting
system and must maintain and make available to USDA representatives, on
request, all appropriate books and records.
Each board must prepare a comprehensive set of annual financial
statements. These statements, which must be prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles, should include:
(1) a balance sheet;
(2) a statement of revenues and expenses;
(3) a statement of changes in fund balance;
(4) a statement of cash flows;
(5) a schedule, showing the following in three columns and
containing footnotes explaining any significant variances: (a) The
USDA-approved budget (plan) by each major category; (b) The annual
expenditures against each budget category (actual); and (c) and
variances between planned and actual expenditures; and
(6) any other financial statements, schedules, or explanations as
may be requested by the board or USDA to provide sufficient information
for effective management, monitoring, or decision making.
Where refunds are applicable, the financial records should include
all appropriate details on assessments paid, requests for refunds, and
refunds issued.
Influencing Legislation or Government Policy or Action
In the process of monitoring board activities, it is important for
AMS to be aware of any actions which may be in conflict with the
legislative prohibitions regarding influencng legislative and/or
government policy. This prohibition on the use of check-off funds
applies equally to any trade/producer organizations funded wholly or in
part by a particular board or contractors to the boards.
However, this does not affect a trade/producer organization's
ability to lobby with non-check-off funds. Likewise, there are no
restrictions on individual board members, except when acting in an
official capacity for the board.
Influencing legislation is defined as (1) any attempt to influence
any legislation or any attempt to affect the opinions of the general
public or any segment thereof concerning legislation; or (2) any
attempt to influence any legislation through communication with any
member or employee of a legislative body or with any governmental
official who may participate in the formulation of legislation.
Influencing of governmental policy or action is defined as any
action the principal purpose of which is to bring about a change in
existing policy or regulation or affect the outcome of proposed policy
or regulation, except those actions which are specifically provided for
in the act, order, and/or rules and regulations. Exceptions: With the
approval of the Secretary, a board may request a ceremonial government
action, such as the proclamation of a state or national month for the
commodity it represents, and may provide information to USDA regarding
government purchases of the commodity it represents.
These prohibitions do not preclude commodity boards from providing
factual information to government officials, provided the information
is presented in an unbiased manner and does not advocate a specific
course of action.
AMS will require each board member to acknowledge in writing that
the person understands the prohibition on using assessment funds for
lobbying or attempting to influence legislation, government action or
government policy, and agrees to act in accordance with that
prohibition.
Other Government Agencies
AMS will be responsible for developing appropriate working
relationships with other government agencies which have
responsibilities related to these programs. For example, AMS will be
responsible for ensuring close coordination with the FAS any time
check-off funds are used for foreign activities. FAS has oversight
responsibility of the Foreign Market Development and the Market Access
Programs, and checkoff funding is made available to some participants
in these FAS supervised programs. However, in all cases, FAS must have
the opportunity to approve the boards' budgets, plans, and projects
that focus on international activities. FAS approval will be subject to
compliance with the checkoff legislation as well as other FAS
requirements. Likewise, for programs with import assessment provisions,
it is the responsibility of AMS to maintain a close liaison with
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the U.S. Customs Service. Similarly, as required by section 1999T of
the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990, AMS will
consult with the United States Trade Representative on any proposed new
or amended commodity promotion order which would assess imports.
Program Progress and Evaluation
AMS will receive copies of annual progress reports on program
activities and expenditures.
Not less often than every five years, each board shall obtain an
independent evaluation of the effectiveness of its generic promotion
program. Each board shall submit to the Secretary and make available to
the public the results of each periodic independent evaluation.
The methodology of the results must be credible, shareholder
returns must be estimated, and the results must be presented in non-
technical terms. Ideally, each board will commission econometric
studies or other formal statistical models which would be subject to
peer review. However, AMS recognizes differences in the availability of
data and financial resources among the various boards. Therefore, other
types of evaluation may also be used to meet the requirement to conduct
periodic evaluations. Other types of evaluation include, but are not
limited to, focus group interviews, Nielson and Gallup polls, National
Eating Trend data, and supermarket scanning data. Boards which do not
conduct econometric evaluations are required to submit their evaluation
plans to AMS for review and comment.
Promotional and Educational Materials
AMS will review all plans and projects of commodity boards and
approve those that are in compliance with the applicable legislative
authority.
AMS will disapprove any advertising that it considers to be
disparaging to another commodity or false and misleading. AMS will also
disapprove any promotional material that it deems derogatory to
individuals with respect to ethnicity, gender, race, physical
abilities, or religion. The commodity programs may refer any
questionable advertisements to the AMS Functional Committee on Research
and Promotion Programs for review and for its recommendation.
Each board shall regularly provide to AMS all commodity promotional
campaigns--advertising, consumer education programs, and other
promotional materials for review and approval and the advertisements or
printed materials generated in the campaign.
AMS review of nutritional claims will include verification of the
supporting data to determine compliance with USDA Agricultural Handbook
8-1, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, Federal Trade Commission
policy, Food and Drug Administration food labeling regulations, and
other applicable Federal regulations.
Referendum Policies
Bonds
AMS will require the proponent of a new program to post a bond or
submit an irrevocable letter of credit to cover any up-front referendum
and other implementation costs.
Influencing Voters
Boards, board members, and board employees acting in their official
capacities are prohibited from attempting to influence voters, and no
board funds may be expended for that purpose. Board funds may not be
used to state a position for or against a referendum issue or a
petition or to promote a ``yes'' or a ``no'' vote in a referendum.
During period of referenda, requests for referenda, polls, or any
petition process, however, board funds may be used: (1) For
communication activities to inform industry how checkoff dollars are
being spent and (2) to provide unbiased factual information concerning
the referendum, poll, or petition process. Board funds may also be used
to encourage those covered by a program to exercise their right to
vote.
Petitions for Referenda
All of the statutes provide some type of mechanism for industry to
request a referendum to determine if an individual program should be
terminated. The most common requirement is that the Secretary must hold
a referendum at the request of 10 percent or more of the persons who
are covered by the program.
Referendum Ballots
Unless another method is required by statute, AMS will conduct all
referenda by mail ballot, fax, or electronic means (when proper
safeguards are in place). Further, in order to facilitate the
verification of voter eligibility and the validity of ballots cast in
referenda, the voters' name, address, telephone number, and
certification will not be separated from the vote. All referenda
includes referenda on implementing, continuing, amending, suspending,
or terminating national research and promotion programs.
Refunds for Programs Under the Generic Statute
When a new program is implemented with a delayed referendum and
refunds of assessments are required if the industry votes to terminate
the program:
(1) boards must disseminate procedures for receiving refunds to all
persons subject to assessments under the program in a timely manner;
(2) boards, board members, and board employees may not exert
pressure of any kind to discourage the application for refunds;
(3) the names of individuals applying for or obtaining refunds must
be kept confidential and made available only to appropriate staff
personnel; and
(4) refund information released will be limited to the aggregate
dollar amount and the number of persons receiving refunds by State,
region, or nationwide. No information may be released that would in any
way readily identify individual persons or firms.
Appendix I--Industry-Specific Legislation
Legislation for Current Programs
Beef Promotion and Research Act (1985)
Cotton Research and Promotion Act (1996)
Dairy Production Stabilization Act (1983)
Egg Research and Consumer Information Act (1974)
Fluid Milk Promotion Act of 1990
Honey Research Promotion and Consumer Information Act of 1984)
Mushroom Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act of 1990
Popcorn Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act of 1996
Pork Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act of 1985
Potato Research and Promotion Act (1971)
Soybean Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act of (1990)
Watermelon Research and Promotion Act (1985)
Other Legislation
Canola and Rapeseed Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information
Act of (1996)
Floral Research and Consumer Information Act of (1981)
Fresh Cut Flowers and Fresh Cut Greens Promotion and Information Act
of 1993
Lime Research, Promotion and Consumer Information Act of 1990
National Kiwifruit Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Act
(1996)
Pecan Promotion and Research Act of 1990
Sheep Promotion, Research and Information Act of 1994
Wheat and Wheat Foods Research and Nutrition Education Act (1977)
Dated: December 14, 1999.
Kathleen A. Merrigan,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 99-32730 Filed 12-15-99; 12:00 pm]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
