[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 10 (Thursday, January 15, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2327-2328]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-845]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 10 / Thursday, January 15, 2004 / 
Notices  

[[Page 2327]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[No. LS-04-03]


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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

DATES: Applications for certification must be received by close of 
business February 17, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Certification form LS-82 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/lamb/lambforms.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 
consists of 6 producers representing regions east and west of the 
Mississippi River, 3 feeders representing regions east and west of the 
Mississippi River, 1 seedstock producer, and 3 first handlers appointed 
by USDA. Of the six producers, two must be located east of the 
Mississippi River and represent the eastern region; two must be located 
west of the Mississippi River and represent the western region; while 
the remaining two can be selected without regard to the geographic 
location. The feeders cannot all be located in the same geographic 
region. 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 early 2005:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Unit/Region                            Members
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Producer Member: From either Region 1 or Region 2--Must own            1
 annually 100 or less head of lambs........................
Producer Member: From either Region 1 or Region 2--Must own            1
 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 February 17, 2004.
    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:

[[Page 2328]]

    (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: January 9 2004.
A. J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 04-845 Filed 1-14-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P