[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 46 (Monday, March 10, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11350-11351]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-5562]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[No. LS-02-20]


Lamb Promotion, Research, and Information: Certification of 
Organizations for Eligibility To Make Nominations to the Lamb 
Promotion, Research, and Information 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, regional, and national lamb producer, seedstock producer, 
feeder, and first handler organizations or associations that desire to 
be certified as eligible to nominate lamb producers, seedstock 
producers, lamb feeders, or first handlers of lamb or lamb products for 
appointment to the Lamb Promotion, Research, and Information Board 
(Board). Previously certified organizations do not need to reapply. To 
nominate a producer, seedstock producer, feeder, or first handler 
member to the Board, organizations must first be certified by USDA. 
Notice is also given that upcoming vacancies are anticipated and that 
during a period to be established by USDA, nominations will be accepted 
from eligible organizations.

[[Page 11351]]


DATES: Applications for certification must be received by close of 
business April 9, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Certification forms as well as information regarding the 
certification and nomination procedures may be requested from Kenneth 
R. Payne, Chief; Marketing Programs Branch, Room 2638-S; Livestock and 
Seed Program; AMS, USDA; STOP 0251; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20250-0251 or obtained via the Internet at http://www.ams.usda.gov/lsg/mpb/rp-lamb.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth R. Payne, Chief, Marketing 
Programs Branch on (202) 720-1115, via facsimile on (202) 720-1125, or 
via e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    The Commodity Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act of 
1996 (Act) (7 U.S.C. 7411 et seq.) authorizes the establishment and 
implementation of a lamb promotion, research, and information program. 
Pursuant to the Act, a proposed Lamb Promotion, Research, and 
Information Order (Order) was published in the Federal Register on 
September 21, 2001 (66 FR 48764). The final Order was published in the 
Federal Register on April 11, 2002 (67 FR 17848). The Order provides 
for the establishment of a 13-member Board that will consist of 6 
producers, 3 feeders--producers and feeders representing regions east 
and west of the Mississippi river--1 seedstock producer, and 3 first 
handlers appointed by USDA. The duties and responsibilities of the 
Board are provided under the Order.
    The Order provides that USDA shall certify or otherwise determine 
the eligibility of any State, regional, or national lamb producer, 
seedstock producer, feeder, or first handler organizations or 
associations that meets the eligibility criteria established under the 
Order. Those organizations that meet the eligibility criteria specified 
under the Order will be certified as eligible to nominate members for 
appointment to the Board. Those organizations should ensure that the 
nominees represent the interests of producers, seedstock producers, 
feeders, and first handlers.
    The Order provides that the members of the Board shall serve for 
terms of 3 years, except that appointments to the initially established 
Board shall be proportionately for 1-, 2-, and 3-year terms. No person 
may serve more than two consecutive 3-year terms. USDA will announce 
when nominations will be due from eligible organizations and when any 
subsequent nominations are due when a vacancy does or will exist. The 
following unit/regions have vacancies in the fall of 2003:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Unit/region                            Members
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Producer Member: From either Region 1 or Region 2--Must               1
 own annually 101 to 500 head of lambs....................
Producer Member: From either Region 1 or Region 2--Must               1
 own annually more than 500 head of lambs.................
Feeder Member: From either Region 1 or Region 2--Either               1
 less than 5,000 lambs fed annually or 5,000 or more lambs
 fed annually.............................................
First Handler Member......................................            1
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Any eligible producer, seedstock producer, feeder, or first handler 
organization that is not currently certified and is interested in being 
certified to nominate producers, seedstock producers, feeders, or first 
handlers for appointment to the Board, must complete and submit an 
official ``Application for Certification of Organization,'' form. That 
form must be received by close of business April 9, 2003.
    Only those organizations that meet the criteria for certification 
of eligibility specified under Sec.  1280.206(b) under the Order are 
eligible for certification. In certifying an organization, the 
following will be considered:
    (1) The geographic territory covered by the active membership of 
the organization;
    (2) The nature and size of the active membership of the 
organization, including the number of active producers, seedstock 
producers, feeders, or first handlers represented by the organization;
    (3) Evidence of stability and permanency of the organization;
    (4) Sources from which the operating funds of the organizations are 
derived;
    (5) The functions of the organization; and
    (6) The ability and willingness of the organization to further the 
purpose and objectives of the Act.
    In addition, the primary consideration in determining the 
eligibility of an organization will be:
    (1) The membership of the organization consists primarily of 
producers, seedstock producers, feeders, or first handlers who market 
or handle a substantial quantity of lamb or lamb products; and
    (2) A primary purpose of the organization is in the production or 
marketing of lamb and lamb products.
    All certified organizations will be notified in writing of the 
beginning and ending dates of the established nomination period and 
will be provided with required nomination forms.
    The information collection requirements referenced in this notice 
has been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under 
the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C., 
Chapter 35) and have been assigned OMB No. 0581-0198, except Board 
nominees information form has been assigned OMB No. 0505-0001.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 7411-7425.

    Dated: March 4, 2003.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 03-5562 Filed 3-7-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P