[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 152 (Tuesday, August 8, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40343-40344]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-19462]



=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service
[No. LS-95-009]


Sheep Promotion, Research, and Information: Certification of 
Organizations for Eligibility to Make Nominations to the Proposed 
National Sheep Promotion, Research, and Information Board

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is accepting 
applications from State sheep producer organizations, national sheep 
feeder organizations, as well as organizations representing importers 
of sheep or sheep products who desire to be certified as eligible to 
nominate sheep producers, sheep feeders, or importers of sheep or sheep 
products for appointment to the proposed National Sheep Promotion, 
Research, and Information Board (Board). Importer organizations 
representing importers of only raw wool are not eligible for 
certification. To nominate a sheep producer or alternate producer 
member, a sheep feeder or importer member to the Board, organizations 
must first be certified by the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary). 
Each eligible organization must submit an official application form to 
AMS. Notice is also given that upcoming appointments are anticipated 
and that during a period to be established, nominations will be 
accepted from eligible organizations.

DATES: Applications for certification must be received by close of 
business September 7, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Certification forms as well as copies of the certification 
procedures may be requested from Ralph L. Tapp, Chief; Marketing 
Programs Branch; Livestock and Seed Division; AMS, USDA; Room 2606-S; 
P.O. Box 96456; Washington, DC 20090-6456.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ralph L. Tapp on 202/720-1115.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Sheep Promotion, Research, and 
Information Act of 1994 (Act), (7 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.), approved 
October 22, 1994, authorizes the establishment of a sheep and wool 
promotion, research, education, and information program. The Act 
provides for the establishment of a Board. The 120-member Board will 
consist of 85 sheep producers, 10 sheep feeders, and 25 importers of 
sheep and sheep products appointed by the Secretary. The duties and 
responsibilities of the Board are provided for under the Act.

    The Secretary shall certify any State sheep producer, national 
sheep feeder, or importer organization that meets the eligibility 
criteria established under the Act. Those organizations that meet the 
eligibility criteria specified under the Act will be certified as 
eligible to nominate members for appointment to the Board to ensure 
that nominees represent the interests of sheep producers, feeders, and 
importers.

    The Act provides that the members of the Board shall serve for 
terms of 3 years, except that appointments to the initially established 
Board shall be proportionately for 1-, 2-, and 3-year terms. No person 
may serve more than two consecutive 3 year terms, except that an 
elected officer of the Board shall not be subject to term limits while 
they hold office. USDA will announce when nominations will be due from 
eligible 

[[Page 40344]]
organizations and when any subsequent nominations are due when a 
vacancy does or will exist. The Board positions to be filled are as 
follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Number of   
                State or unit vacancies                  representatives
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alabama................................................              1  
Alaska.................................................              1  
Arizona................................................              1  
Arkansas...............................................              1  
California.............................................              5  
Colorado...............................................              4  
Connecticut............................................              1  
Delaware...............................................              1  
Florida................................................              1  
Georgia................................................              1  
Hawaii.................................................              1  
Idaho..................................................              2  
Illinois...............................................              1  
Indiana................................................              1  
Iowa...................................................              2  
Kansas.................................................              1  
Kentucky...............................................              1  
Louisiana..............................................              1  
Maine..................................................              1  
Maryland...............................................              1  
Massachusetts..........................................              1  
Michigan...............................................              1  
Minnesota..............................................              2  
Mississippi............................................              1  
Missouri...............................................              1  
Montana................................................              5  
Nebraska...............................................              1  
Nevada.................................................              1  
New Hampshire..........................................              1  
New Jersey.............................................              1  
New Mexico.............................................              2  
New York...............................................              1  
North Carolina.........................................              1  
North Dakota...........................................              2  
Ohio...................................................              1  
Oklahoma...............................................              1  
Oregon.................................................              2  
Pennsylvania...........................................              1  
Rhode Island...........................................              1  
South Carolina.........................................              1  
South Dakota...........................................              4  
Tennessee..............................................              1  
Texas..................................................             10  
Utah...................................................              3  
Vermont................................................              1  
Virginia...............................................              1  
Washington.............................................              1  
West Virginia..........................................              1  
Wisconsin..............................................              1  
Wyoming................................................              5  
Feeders................................................             10  
Importers..............................................             25  
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, each State with only one producer Board member is 
authorized to have an alternate producer member so that the State may 
have representation at Board meetings when the producer member cannot 
attend.
    Any eligible State sheep producer, national feeder, or importer 
organization that is interested in being certified to nominate 
producers, feeders, or importers for appointment to the Board, must 
complete and submit an official ``Application for Certification of 
Organization,'' form which must be received by close of business 
September 7, 1995.
    Only those organizations that meet the criteria for certification 
of eligibility specified under section 5(c)(1)(B) and section 5(c)(3) 
(B) and (C) under the Act are eligible for certification. Those 
criteria are:
    (a) Feeder and Importer Organizations. Requirements for 
certification.
    (1) The active membership of the organization includes a 
significant number of feeders or importers in relation to the total 
membership of the organization;
    (2) There is evidence of stability and permanency of the 
organization; and
    (3) The organization has a primary and overriding interest in 
representing the feeder or importer segment of the sheep industry.
    (b) For State sheep producer organizations:
    (1) The geographic territory covered by the active membership of 
the organization;
    (2) The nature and size of the active membership of the 
organization, including the proportion of the total number of active 
producers represented by the organization;
    (3) Evidence of stability and permanency of the organization;
    (4) Sources from which the operating funds of the organization are 
derived;
    (5) The functions of the organization; and
    (6) The ability and willingness of the organization to further the 
aims and objectives of the Act.
    A primary consideration in determining the eligibility of a State 
producer organization shall be whether;
    (1) The membership of the organization consists primarily of 
producers who own a substantial quantity of sheep; and
    (2) An interest of the organization is in the production of sheep.
    All certified organizations will be notified simultaneously in 
writing of the beginning and ending dates of the established nomination 
period and will be provided with required forms.
    The names of qualified nominees received by the established due 
date will be submitted to the Secretary for consideration as appointees 
to the Board.
    The information collection requirements referenced in this notice 
have been submitted to by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for 
approval under the provisions of 44 U.S.C., chapter 35 and have been 
assigned OMB No. 0581-0093.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.

    Dated: August 1, 1995.
Lon Hatamiya,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 95-19462 Filed 8-7-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P