[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