[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 19 (Wednesday, January 29, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4244-4245]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-2126]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[No. LS-97-004]


Beef Promotion and Research: Certification and Nomination for the 
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 Department of Agriculture's 
(USDA) 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 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. 
Previously certified organizations do not need to reapply. 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 close of 
business February 28, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Certification forms as well as copies of the certification 
and nomination procedures may be requested from Ralph L. Tapp, Chief; 
Marketing Programs Branch--STOP 0251; Livestock and Seed Division; AMS, 
USDA; Room 2606-S; P.O. Box 96456; Washington, D.C. 20090-6456.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ralph L. Tapp, Chief, Marketing 
Programs Branch on 202/720-1115.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    The Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985 (Act) (7 U.S.C. 2901 et 
seq.), enacted December 23, 1985, authorizes the implementation of a 
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 104 cattle 
producers and 7 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) 
and currently appear at 7 CFR Sec. 1260.500 through Sec. 1260.640. 
Organizations which have previously been certified to nominate members 
to the Board do not need to reapply for certification to nominate 
producers and importers for the existing vacancies.
    The Act and the Order provide that the members of the Board shall 
serve for terms of 3 years. The Order also requires USDA to announce 
when a Board vacancy does or will exist. The following States have one 
or more members whose terms will expire in early 1998:

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                                                              Number of 
                       State or unit                          vacancies 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arizona...................................................            1 
California................................................            2 
Colorado..................................................            1 
Iowa......................................................            2 
Kansas....................................................            2 
Louisiana.................................................            1 
Michigan..................................................            1 
Minnesota.................................................            1 
Mississippi...............................................            1 
Missouri..................................................            1 
Nebraska..................................................            2 
New Mexico................................................            1 
North Carolina............................................            1 
Oklahoma..................................................            1 
South Carolina............................................            1 

[[Page 4245]]

                                                                        
South Dakota..............................................            2 
Tennessee.................................................            1 
Texas.....................................................            4 
Utah......................................................            1 
Wisconsin.................................................            2 
Wyoming...................................................            1 
Mid-Atlantic Unit.........................................            1 
Northeast Unit............................................            1 
Western Unit (Oregon-Nevada Region).......................            1 
Importer Unit.............................................            2 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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.
    Uncertified eligible producer organizations in all States that are 
interested in being certified 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 close of business February 28, 
1997. Uncertified eligible importer organizations that are interested 
in being certified 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 Sec. 1260.540(b). 
Applications from States or units without vacant positions on the Board 
and other applications not received within the 30-day period after 
publication of this Notice in the Federal Register 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 Sec. 1260.530 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.
    All certified organizations and associations, including those which 
were previously certified in the States or units having vacant 
positions on the Board, will be notified simultaneously in writing of 
the beginning and ending dates of the established nomination period and 
will be provided with required 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: January 23, 1997.
Lon Hatamiya,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 97-2126 Filed 1-28-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P