[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 104 (Monday, June 1, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 29692]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-14424]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket No. TB-97-17]


Tobacco Inspection; Growers' Referendum Results

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of referendum results.

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SUMMARY: This document announces the results of the referendum on the 
merger of Tabor City-Whiteville, North Carolina, and Loris, South 
Carolina, flue-cured tobacco markets. A mail referendum was conducted 
during the period of April 27-May 1, 1998, among tobacco growers who 
sold tobacco on these markets in 1997. A required two-thirds majority 
of voters did not favor merging these markets into a single 
consolidated market.

EFFECTIVE DATE: June 2, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William O. Coats, Associate Deputy 
Administrator, Tobacco Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, United 
States Department of Agriculture, PO Box 96456, Washington, DC 20090-
6456; telephone number (202) 205-0508.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A notice was published in the April 20, 
1998, issue of the Federal Register (63 FR 19414) announcing that a 
referendum would be conducted among active flue-cured producers who 
sold tobacco on either Tabor City-Whiteville or Loris during the 1997 
season to ascertain if such producers favored the consolidation.
    The notice of referendum announced the determination by the 
Secretary that the consolidated market of Tabor City-Whiteville, North 
Carolina, and Loris, South Carolina, would be designated as a flue-
cured tobacco auction market and receive mandatory Federal grading of 
tobacco sold at auction for the 1998 and succeeding seasons, subject to 
the results of the referendum. The determination was based on the 
evidence and arguments presented at a public hearing held in Tabor 
City, North Carolina, on November 5, 1997, pursuant to applicable 
provisions of the regulations issued under the Tobacco Inspection Act, 
as amended. The referendum was held in accordance with the provisions 
of the Tobacco Inspection Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 511d) and the 
regulations set forth in 7 CFR 29.74.
    Ballots for the April 27-May 1, 1998, referendum were mailed to 
1,470 producers. Approval required votes in favor of the proposal by 
two-thirds of the eligible voters who cast valid ballots. The 
Department received a total of 375 responses: 89 eligible producers 
voted in favor of the consolidation; 189 eligible producers voted 
against the consolidation; and 97 ballots were determined to be 
invalid.

    Dated: May 26, 1998.
Enrique E. Figueroa,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 98-14424 Filed 5-29-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-U