[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 63 (Friday, April 1, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-7888]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: April 1, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
7 CFR PART 1220

[No. LS-94-005]

 

Results of Soybean Referendum

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of referendum results.

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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is announcing the 
results of a national referendum on the Soybean Promotion and Research 
Order and program changes which are effective April 1.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ralph L. Tapp, Chief; Marketing 
Programs Branch; Livestock and Seed Division, AMS, USDA, room 2624-S; 
P.O. Box 96456; Washington, DC 20090-6456. Telephone number 202/720-
1115.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Soybean Promotion, Research, 
and Consumer Information Act (Act) (7 U.S.C. 6301 et. seq.), the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture conducted the required referendum on February 
9, 1994, among soybean producers to determine if continuation of the 
soybean promotion and research program was favored.
    Of the 85,606 valid ballots cast 46,060 (53.8 percent) favored and 
39,546 (46.2 percent) opposed continuing the program. A simple majority 
was required to pass the referendum.
    Therefore, the Secretary of Agriculture has determined based on the 
referendum results that the required majority of soybean producers 
voting absentee and in person in the February 9, 1994, national 
referendum voted to continue the National Soybean Promotion and 
Research Program. As a result, assessments of one-half of one percent 
of the net market price of soybeans sold by producers will continue to 
be collected and used by the United Soybean Board and the Qualified 
State Soybean Boards (QSSB).
    In addition, the Secretary has determined that the program changes 
required by the Act as a result of the referendum are effective April 
1, 1994.
    These changes include the following:
    (1) Refunds on soybeans sold beginning April 1, 1994, will be 
limited to 10 percent of total collections, on a State-by-State basis;
    (2) Producers requesting refunds as prescribed in the legislation 
will receive a pro rata share of their State's 10 percent reserve for 
refunds up to a full refund of assessments paid; and
    (3) Refunds on soybeans sold beginning April 1, 1994, will be paid 
after the end of the respective QSSB's fiscal year.
    In addition, the Secretary will conduct a poll of soybean producers 
by October 1, 1995, to determine if producers support conducting a 
referendum on the continuance of the payment of refunds under the 
Order.

    Dated: March 29, 1994.
Lon Hatamiya,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 94-7888 Filed 3-31-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P