[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 16, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-6140]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: March 16, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[No. LS-94-001]
Beef Promotion and Research: Recertification, Certification, and
Nomination Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the U.S. Department of
Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is accepting
applications from State cattle producer and general farm organizations
as well as beef importers who desire to be certified to nominate cattle
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. With regard to previously certified organizations, a
review will be conducted to ascertain whether organizations may remain
certified as eligible to make nominations. Such organizations will be
provided an official application form by AMS. Only those organizations
which are newly certified or recertified will be eligible to nominate
cattle producers or beef importers to the Board. Notice is also given
that vacancies will occur on the Board and that during a period to be
established, nominations will be accepted from eligible organizations
and individual importers.
DATES: Applications for certification must be received by April 15,
1994.
ADDRESSES: Certification forms as well as copies of the certification
and nomination procedures may be requested from Ralph L. Tapp, Chief,
Marketing Programs Branch, Livestock and Seed Division, AMS, USDA, room
2624-S, P.O. Box 96456, Washington, DC 20090-6456.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ralph L. Tapp at 202/720-1115 (FTS
720-1115).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985
(Act) (7 U.S.C. 2901 et seq.), approved December 23, 1985, authorizes
the implementation of a national 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 101 cattle producers and 6 importers appointed by the
Secretary. The duties and responsibilities of the Board are specified
in the Order.
The Act and the Order provide that the Secretary shall either
certify or otherwise determine the eligibility of State or 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. 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 the Secretary 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).
Since an organization's membership may change over time and since many
organizations were certified in 1986, AMS will conduct a review to
ascertain whether an organization may remain certified as eligible to
make nominations. Previously certified organizations must be
recertified to nominate producers and importers for upcoming vacancies.
The Act and the Order provide that the members of the Board shall
serve for terms of three (3) years. The Order also requires the
Department to announce when a Board vacancy does or will exist. The
following States or units have one or more members whose terms will
expire in 1994:
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Number of
State or unit vacancies
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Arizona...................................................... 1
California................................................... 2
Colorado..................................................... 1
Iowa......................................................... 2
Kansas....................................................... 2
Louisiana.................................................... 1
Michigan..................................................... 1
Minnesota.................................................... 1
Mississippi.................................................. 1
Missouri..................................................... 1
Nebraska..................................................... 2
Nevada....................................................... 2
New Mexico................................................... 1
North Carolina............................................... 1
Oklahoma..................................................... 1
South Carolina............................................... 1
South Dakota................................................. 2
Tennessee.................................................... 1
Texas........................................................ 4
Utah......................................................... 1
Wisconsin.................................................... 2
Wyoming...................................................... 2
Mid-Atlantic................................................. 1
Northeast Unit............................................... 1
Importers.................................................... 2
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Since there are no anticipated vacancies on the Board for the
remaining States' positions, or for the positions of the Northwest
unit, nominations will not be solicited from certified organizations or
associations in those States or units.
Noncertified and existing certified eligible producer organizations
in all States that are interested in being certified or recertified as
eligible to nominate cattle producers for appointment to the listed
producer positions, must complete and submit an official ``Application
for Certification of Organization or Association,'' which must be
received by April 15, 1994. Noncertified and existing certified
eligible importer organizations that are interested in being certified
or recertified 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 but should provide the requested
information by letter as provided for in 7 CFR 1260.540(b).
Applications from States or units without vacant positions on the Board
and other applications not received by April 15, 1994 will be
considered for eligibility to nominate producers or importers for
subsequent vacancies on the Board.
Only those organizations or associations which meet the criteria
for certification of eligibility promulgated at 7 CFR 1260.530 as
published in 51 FR 11557, 11559 (April 4, 1986) are eligible for
certification. Those criteria are:
(a) For State organizations or associations:
(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.
(4) There must be a primary or overriding purpose of promoting the
economic welfare of cattle producers.
(b) For organizations or associations representing importers, the
determination by the Secretary 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.
(5) The names of the countries of origin for cattle, beef, or beef
products imported.
The Department may review any certified organization's books,
documents, papers, records, files, and facilities to verify any of the
information submitted and may procure such other information as may be
required to determine the organization's eligibility for certification.
In addition, the information submitted on the application must be
timely, complete, and correct to the best of one's knowledge.
All organizations and associations, newly certified and recertified
in the States or units having vacant positions on the Board will be
notified in writing of the beginning and ending dates of the nomination
period and will be provided nomination forms and background information
sheets.
The names of qualified nominees received by the established due
date will be submitted to the Secretary of Agriculture 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: March 8, 1994.
Lon Hatamiya,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 94-6140 Filed 3-15-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
