[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