[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 10, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 15919]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-8929]



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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service


Advisory Committee on Agricultural Concentration

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: In response to the need for advice on concentration and 
vertical integration in the agricultural sector, the Secretary of 
Agriculture established an advisory committee on agricultural 
concentration. The purpose of the committee is to provide advice 
regarding whether agricultural concentration exists and if so, the 
causes and effects of such concentration. Further, the committee is to 
provide advice related to the need for new legislation.

DATES: The third meeting of this committee will be Monday, April 29, at 
9:00 a.m., through 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 30, 1996. This meeting is 
open to the public; however, the committee does not plan to hear public 
testimony at this meeting. The committee is willing to receive written 
statements from any interested party, at any time.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in room 107A of the USDA 
Administration Bldg., 14th and Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, 
D.C. 20250.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Written statements may be mailed to 
the committee in care of Barbara Claffey, Assistant Deputy 
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service, Room 3069 South Bldg., 
14th & Independence Ave S.W., Washington, D.C. 20096-6456. Written 
statements up to 10 pages in length may also be faxed, to the attention 
of Barbara Claffey, (202) 205-8023.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the committee is to make 
findings and recommendations regarding the need for modification of 
laws to address any identified concentration or vertical integration in 
the agricultural sector, regarding the adequacy of price discovery or 
reporting in the livestock and poultry industries, regarding any 
necessary modification to departmental programs in order to address 
concentration, and regarding actions to take to ensure adequate rail 
car availability throughout the year.
    The committee consists of 21 members including: a Chairperson; two 
Vice Chairpersons; nine representatives of producers from the cattle, 
hog, lamb, poultry, and grain sectors; two representatives of packers 
and processors from the livestock, poultry, and grain sectors; two 
representatives of shippers, handlers, and transporters consisting of 
one each from grain elevator and railroad sectors; one representative 
of the retailing sector; one individual with expertise in economics, 
competition, and/or finance; and three representatives of State 
government.
    The committee is in the public interest in connection with the 
duties and responsibilities of the Department of Agriculture. 
Concentration in the agricultural sector is receiving increased 
attention in terms of its effect throughout the entire food industry.

    Dated: April 5, 1996.
Lon Hatamiya,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 96-8929 Filed 4-9-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-01-P