[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 24 (Thursday, February 5, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5925-5926]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-2857]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service
[No. LS-98-003]


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 organizations or associations 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 March 9, 1998.

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 Program; 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

[[Page 5926]]

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 1999:

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                                                               Number of
                        State or unit                          vacancies
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Alabama......................................................          1
Arkansas.....................................................          1
California...................................................          2
Colorado.....................................................          1
Florida......................................................          1
Georgia......................................................          1
Idaho........................................................          1
Illinois.....................................................          1
Indiana......................................................          1
Iowa.........................................................          2
Kansas.......................................................          2
Kentucky.....................................................          1
Minnesota....................................................          1
Missouri.....................................................          2
Montana......................................................          1
Nebraska.....................................................          2
New York.....................................................          1
North Dakota.................................................          1
Ohio.........................................................          1
Oklahoma.....................................................          2
Pennsylvania.................................................          1
South Dakota.................................................          1
Tennessee....................................................          1
Texas........................................................          5
Virginia.....................................................          1
Wisconsin....................................................          1
Northwest Unit...............................................          1
Western Unit (Oregon-Nevada Region)..........................          1
Importer Unit................................................          1
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Since there are no anticipated vacancies on the Board for the 
remaining States' positions, or for the positions of the Northeast and 
Mid-Atlantic units, 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 March 20, 1998. 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 29, 1998.
Barry L. Carpenter,
Deputy Administrator, Livestock and Seed Program.
[FR Doc. 98-2857 Filed 2-4-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P