[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 12, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 1825]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-694]


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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. 65, No. 8 / Wednesday, January 12, 2000 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 1825]]


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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: Reopening and extension of time 
to submit proposals.

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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is reopening and 
extending the time to February 1, 2000, for the sheep industry 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. The invitation to submit proposals was 
published in the Federal Register on November 23, 1999.

DATES: Proposals must be received on or before February 1, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Proposals (two copies) should be mailed to: Ralph L. Tapp, 
Chief; Marketing Programs Branch, Room 2627-S; Livestock and Seed 
Program, USDA; STOP 0251; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.; Washington, 
D.C. 20090-0251.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Purpose

    A request for proposals for a Order under the Act was published in 
the Federal Register on November 23, 1999. The purpose is to establish 
a self-help promotion, research, and information program for the 
industry.

Reason for Granting an Extension

    The National Sheep Association (NSA) and the National Lamb Feeders 
Association (NLFA) have requested an extension of time to submit 
proposals.
    Both organizations express the need for more producers to be 
involved in the process to help generate industry support. They point 
out that meetings of the American Sheep Association and NLFA will 
provide the opportunity for more producer input. NSA points out that 
many State association and other industry meetings are being held early 
in the year 2000 which will provide an opportunity for additional 
producer input on draft proposals. NSA also believes results from other 
pending activities should be known before the issuance of an Order by 
the Secretary. These include: (1) The specific project assistance that 
the U.S. sheep Improvement Center will provide to the industry and (2) 
the dimensions of the assistance available through USDA to the sheep 
industry as a result of the decision to provide assistance to offset 
the impact of increased lamb imports. However we believe that any such 
delay is not necessary in connection with these issues.
    Further, NSA believes the recently published draft Guidelines for 
AMS Oversight of Commodity Research and Promotion Programs (Guidelines) 
are another reason more time is needed since an Order will need to be 
consistent with the Guidelines. NSA requested an extension of time 
until February 21, 2000 and NLFA requested an extension until February 
1, 2000.
    After careful consideration of the requests submitted to the 
Agency, AMS has decided to reopen and extend the comment period until 
February 1, 2000. AMS believes this will provide a sufficient period of 
time for all interested persons to discuss and review draft proposals 
for an Order and to submit proposals for an Order to AMS.
    Accordingly, AMS is reopening and extending the period to submit 
proposals until February 1, 2000.

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

    Dated: January 6, 2000.
Barry L. Carpenter,
Deputy Administrator, Livestock and Seed Program.
[FR Doc. 00-694 Filed 1-7-00; 1:26 pm]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P