[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 225 (Tuesday, November 23, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 65665]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-30596]


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 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 225 / Tuesday, November 23, 1999 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 65665]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 1280

[No. LS-99-13]


Sheep and Lamb Promotion, Research, and Information Order

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service; USDA.

ACTION: Invitation to submit proposals.

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SUMMARY: Interested parties are invited to submit proposals for a sheep 
and lamb promotion, research, and information order (order), or parts 
of an order as provided for by the Commodity Promotion, Research, and 
Information Act of 1996 (Act). The Act authorizes national industry-
funded programs for promotion, research, and information regarding 
agricultural commodities. Interested parties are also invited to submit 
views on whether it would be beneficial to hold a public meeting during 
an ensuing comment period to discuss the proposals.

DATES: Proposals must be received by December 23, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Proposals (two copies) should be mailed to: Ralph L. Tapp, 
Chief; Marketing Programs Branch, Room 2627-S; Livestock and Seed 
Program; Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA; STOP 0251; 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW.; Washington, DC 20250-0251.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Act (7 U.S.C. 7401-7425) authorizes the 
development, financing, and carrying out of an effective, continuous, 
and coordinated program of generic promotion, research, and information 
regarding agricultural commodities. Any nationwide sheep and lamb 
program would be funded by mandatory assessments paid by industry and 
would be administered by a board, composed of industry representatives 
appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary).
    A order issued by the Secretary, based on public input, would form 
the basis for a national program designed to benefit the sheep and lamb 
industry. Since the Act provides that an order may be prepared by the 
Secretary or submitted by an association of producers or any other 
person that may be affected by the issuance of the order, notice is 
hereby given that the Department of Agriculture (Department) will 
accept written proposals for a sheep and lamb promotion, research, and 
information order, or for various provisions thereof.
    Proposals should include: (1) The proposed order language; (2) a 
description of the proposed order provisions; (3) an explanation of the 
nature and purpose of the proposed order provisions; (4) references to 
the section of the Act that would be implemented by an order provision; 
and (5) any other pertinent information concerning a proposal that 
would assist in the process of implementing the Act.
    The Act itself provides for authority to tailor a program according 
to the individual needs of an industry. Provision is made for 
permissive terms in an order in section 516 of the Act, and other 
sections provide for alternatives. For example, section 514 of the Act 
provides for orders applicable to: (1) Producers; (2) first handlers 
and other persons in the marketing chain, as appropriate; and (3) 
importers (if imports are subject to assessment). Section 516 
authorizes an order to provide for exemption of de minimis quantities 
of an agricultural commodity; different payment and reporting 
schedules; coverage of research, promotion, and information activities 
to expand, improve, or make more efficient the marketing or use of an 
agricultural commodity in both domestic and foreign markets; provision 
for reserve funds; provision for credits for generic and branded 
activities; and assessment of imports. In addition, section 518 of the 
Act provides for referenda to ascertain approval of an order to be 
conducted either prior to its going into effect or within 3 years after 
assessments first begin under the order. An order also may provide for 
its approval in a referendum to be based upon: (1) A majority of those 
persons voting; (2) persons voting for approval who represent a 
majority of the volume of the agricultural commodity; or (3) a majority 
of those persons voting for approval who also represent a majority of 
the volume of the agricultural commodity. Section 515 of the Act 
provides for establishment of a board from among producers, first 
handlers, and others in the marketing chain as appropriate and 
importers, if importers are subject to assessment.
    The Department will only publish for public comment in the Federal 
Register proposals that are consistent with and would effectuate the 
purposes of the Act.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 1280

    Administrative practice and procedure, Advertising, Agricultural 
research, Marketing agreements, Sheep and lamb products, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 7401-7425.


    Dated: November 18, 1999.
Barry L. Carpenter,
Deputy Administrator, Livestock and Seed Program.
[FR Doc. 99-30596 Filed 11-19-99; 1:33 pm]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P