[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 113 (Monday, June 14, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 31736-31737]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-15112]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agriculture Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 1216

[FV-98-702-PR3]


Peanut Promotion, Research, and Information Order; Extension of 
Voting Period

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule and referendum order; Amendment to referendum 
Order.

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SUMMARY: This action extends the voting period for the referendum 
during which peanut producers will vote on whether the Peanut 
Promotion, Research, and Information Order will become effective. The 
voting period has been extended an additional 21 days to conclude on 
July 2, 1999, rather than June 11, 1999. This extension will better 
facilitate full voter participation.

DATES: In Order to be eligible to vote, peanut producers must have 
produced

[[Page 31737]]

peanuts during the period from August 1, 1997, through July 30, 1998 
(representative period). The voting period for the referendum will be 
May 10 through July 2, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Daniel R. Williams II, Research and Promotion Branch, Fruit 
and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, Room 2535-S, Stop 0244, Washington, DC 20250-0244.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniel R. Williams II at the above 
address or telephone toll free (888) 720-9917.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Prior documents in this proceeding: Proposed 
Rule published in the November 6, 1998, issue of the Federal Register 
[63 FR 59893]; and Proposed Rule and Referendum Order published in the 
April 23, 1999, issue of the Federal Register [64 FR 20107] and 
Referendum Procedures published on the same day [64 FR 20102].
    The April 23, 1999, referendum order [64 FR 20107] specified that 
the voting period would be from May 24, 1999, through June 11, 1999. 
However, the mailing list used for the referendum consisted of a large 
amount of rural route deliveries. This has resulted in a large amount 
of the ballots arriving later than expected or not all of the 
referendum ballot packages have been delivered to potentially eligible 
voters. In addition, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has 
received numerous telephone calls from potentially eligible voters who 
did not receive ballots. Therefore, in order to better facilitate full 
voter participation in the referendum, USDA is extending the voting 
period through July 2, 1999. In addition, USDA will continue to mail 
ballots to those potentially eligible voters who request a ballot and 
others as they become known.
    Section 518 of the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information 
Act of 1996 (Act) requires that a referendum be conducted among 
eligible peanut producers as to whether they favor the Order. The 
proposed Order [64 FR 20107] would become effective if it is approved 
by a majority of producers voting in the referendum, which is currently 
ongoing.
    Ballots to be cast in the referendum, and any related material 
relevant to the referendum, will be mailed by the referendum agents to 
all known peanut producers. Should any eligible producer not receive a 
ballot and related material, such producer should immediately contact 
the referendum agents at the telephone number that follows.

Amended Referendum Order

    It is hereby directed that a referendum be conducted among peanut 
producers to determine whether they favor implementation of the Peanut 
Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Order.
    The referendum shall be conducted from May 24 through July 2, 1999. 
Ballots were mailed to all known eligible peanut producers on or before 
May 17, 1999. Eligible voters who do not receive a ballot by mail 
should call the following toll-free telephone number to receive a 
ballot: 1 (888) 720-9917. All ballots will be subject to verification. 
Ballots must be received by the referendum agents no later than July 2, 
1999, to be counted.
    Daniel R. Williams II and Martha B. Ransom, Research and Promotion 
Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, 
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 2535-S, Stop 0244, Washington, DC 
20250-0244, are designated as the referendum agents of the Secretary of 
Agriculture to conduct the referendum. The Procedure for the Conduct of 
the Referenda in Connection with the Peanut Promotion, Research, and 
Consumer Information Order, 7 CFR 1216.101-1216.107, which were 
published separately in the Federal Register [64 FR 20102], shall be 
used to conduct the referendum.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 1216

    Administrative practice and procedure, Advertising, Agricultural 
research, Marketing agreements, Peanuts, Reporting and record keeping 
requirements.

    Authority: U.S.C. 7401-7425.

    Dated: June 9, 1999.
Enrique E. Figueroa,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 99-15112 Filed 6-11-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P