[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 20, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11377-11378]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-6697]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[CN-96-005]
Cotton Research and Promotion Program: Request for comments To Be
Used in a Review of 1990 Amendments to Authorizing Legislation
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is announcing its
intentions to conduct a review to ascertain whether a referendum is
needed to determine whether producers and importers favor continuation
of amendments to the Cotton Research and Promotion Order as provided
for by the Cotton Research Promotion Act Amendments of 1990. This
notice invites all interested parties to submit written comments to the
Department of Agriculture (USDA). These comments will be considered by
USDA in determining whether a referendum is warranted. USDA should
announce review results some time during the latter part of September
1996.
DATES: Comments must be received by May 6, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Comments and inquiries should be addressed to Craig
Shackelford, Chief, Cotton Division, AMS, USDA, Research and Promotion
Staff, P.O. Box 96456, Room 2641-S., Washington, D.C. 20090-6456.
Comments will be available for public inspection during regular
business hours at the above office in Room 2641-S., 14th & Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Craig Shackelford on (202) 720-2259.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Cotton Research and Promotion Act of
1966 authorized a national free-standing Cotton Research and Promotion
Program which is both industry operated and funded, with oversight by
USDA. The program's objective is to enable cotton growers and importers
to establish, finance, and carry out a coordinated program of research
and promotion to improve the competitive position of, and to expand
markets for, cotton.
The program became effective on December 31, 1966, when the Cotton
Research and Promotion Order was issued. Assessments began with the
1967 cotton crop. The Order was amended and a supplemental assessment
initiated, not to exceed one percent of the value of each bale,
effective January 26, 1977.
The program is currently financed through assessments levied on
domestic and imported cotton and cotton-containing products.
Assessments under this program are used to fund promotional campaigns
and to conduct research in the areas of U.S. marketing, international
marketing, cotton production and processing, and textile research and
implementation.
The program is administered by the Cotton Board, which has 25
members. The Cotton Board is composed of representatives of cotton
producers and cotton importers, each of whom has an alternate selected
by the Secretary, from nominations submitted by eligible producer and
importer organizations. All members and their alternates serve terms of
three years. The Cotton Board's responsibility is to administer the
provisions of the Cotton Research and Promotion Order issued pursuant
to the Act. These responsibilities include collecting, holding, and
safeguarding funds; making refunds when refunds are a provision of the
Order; contracting with an organization for the development and
implementation of programs of research and promotion; reviewing and
making recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture on proposed
programs and budgets; and making funds available for such programs when
approved. The objective of the Cotton Research and Promotion Program is
to strengthen
[[Page 11378]]
cotton's competitive position and to maintain and expand domestic and
foreign markets and uses for U.S. cotton. The Cotton Board is
prohibited from participating in any matters influencing governmental
policies or action except recommendations for amendments to the Order.
Amendments to the Act were enacted on November 28, 1990, by
Congress under subtitle G of title XIX of the Food, Agriculture,
Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990. These amendments provided for: (1)
importer representation on the Cotton Board; (2) the assessment of
imported cotton and cotton products; (3) increasing the amount the
Secretary of Agriculture can be reimbursed for conduct of a referendum
from $200,000 to $300,000; (4) reimbursing government agencies who
assist in administering the collection of assessments on imported
cotton and cotton products; and (5) terminating the right of producers
to demand a refund of assessments. The Act Amendments of 1990 were
approved by a majority (60 percent) of importers and producers of
cotton voting in a referendum conducted July 17-26, 1991, as required
by the Act. Results of this referendum were announced in a nationally
distributed press release dated August 2, 1991.
The Cotton Research and Promotion Act Amendment of 1990, Section
8(c) provides that once every five years after the July 1991,
referendum, the Secretary of Agriculture shall conduct a review to
ascertain whether a referendum is needed. In this referendum, producers
and importers would determine whether they favor continuation of the
amendments to the Order provided for in the Cotton Research and
Promotion Act Amendments of 1990. In accordance with the provisions of
the Act, the Secretary of Agriculture should make a public announcement
of the results of the review on September 24, 1996, (60 days after each
fifth anniversary date of the referendum). If the Secretary of
Agriculture determines that a referendum is needed, the Secretary of
Agriculture should conduct the referendum by September 24, 1997,
(within 12 months after a public announcement of the determination to
conduct the referendum).
If the Secretary determines that a referendum is not warranted, a
sign-up period to request such a referendum will be made available to
cotton producers and importers. A referendum will be held if requested
by 10 percent or more of those voting in the most recent referendum as
long as not more than 20 percent are from any one State or importers of
cotton. This sign-up period would begin approximately November 25,
1996. A separate Federal Register notice addressing the sign-up
period's exact date, time frame, and instructions will be provided. If
a referendum is requested by the requisite number of persons, the
referendum would be held by approximately February 23, 1998.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 2101-2118.
Dated: March 13, 1996.
Lon Hatamiya,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 96-6697 Filed 3-19-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
