[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 242 (Tuesday, December 16, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76330-76331]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-29693]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. AMS-LS-08-0101]


Notice of Opportunity To Participate in the Lamb Promotion, 
Research, and Information Program Referendum

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is announcing that a 
referendum will be conducted under the Lamb Promotion, Research, and 
Information Order (Order) to determine whether those persons voting 
favor the continuance of the Order.

DATES: This referendum will be conducted during a 4-week period 
beginning on February 2, 2009, and ending on February 27, 2009. To be 
eligible to participate in the referendum, persons must certify and 
provide supporting documentation that shows they, or the entity they 
are authorized to represent, have been engaged in the production, 
feeding, or slaughter of lambs between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 
2008.
    Form LS-86, Lamb Promotion, Research, and Information Referendum, 
may be obtained by mail, fax, or in person from the Farm Service Agency 
(FSA) county offices from February 2, 2009 through February 27, 2009. 
Form LS-86 may also be obtained via the Internet at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/LSMarketingPrograms during the same time period. 
Completed forms and supporting documentation must be returned to the 
appropriate county FSA offices by fax or in person no later than close 
of business February 27, 2009, or if returned by mail must be 
postmarked

[[Page 76331]]

by midnight February 27, 2009, and received in the county FSA office by 
close of business on March 6, 2009.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth R. Payne, Chief, Marketing 
Programs Branch, on (202) 720-1115, fax (202) 720-1125, or by e-mail at 
[email protected] or Rick Pinkston, USDA, Farm Service Agency 
(FSA), Field Operations Staff, on (202) 720-1857, fax (202) 720-1096, 
or by e-mail on [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Commodity Promotion, 
Research, and Information Act of 1996 (Act) (7 U.S.C. 7411-7425), it is 
hereby directed that a referendum be conducted to ascertain whether 
continuance of the Order is favored by those persons who have been 
engaged in the production, feeding, or slaughtering of lamb from 
January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008. The Act requires that a 
referendum to ascertain approval of an Order must be conducted no later 
than 3 years after assessments first begin. Assessments began on July 
1, 2002. A referendum of lamb producers, feeders, seedstock producers, 
and first handlers of lamb and lamb products was conducted from January 
31, 2005 through February 28, 2005. A majority of the participants 
voted in favor of the continuation of the Order. The Act also requires 
a subsequent referendum on the Order be conducted no later than 7 years 
after assessments first begin. Thus, USDA is required to conduct a 
nationwide referendum among persons subject to the assessment by July 
1, 2009. The Order will continue if a majority of those persons voting, 
who also represent a majority of the volume of lambs, vote in favor of 
continuing the program. If the continuation of the Order is not 
approved by eligible persons voting in the referendum, USDA will begin 
the process of terminating the program.
    The representative period for establishing voter eligibility for 
the referendum shall be the period from January 1, 2008 through 
December 31, 2008. Persons who were engaged in the production, feeding, 
or slaughtering of lambs and who provide documentation, such as a sales 
receipt or remittance form, showing that they were engaged in the 
production, feeding, or slaughter of lambs from January 1, 2008 through 
December 31, 2008 are eligible to vote.
    Eligible voters will be provided the opportunity to vote at the 
county FSA office where FSA maintains and processes the eligible 
voter's administrative farm records. For the eligible voter not 
participating in FSA programs, the opportunity to vote will be provided 
at the FSA office serving the county where the person owns or rents 
land. Participation in the referendum is not mandatory.
    Procedures used in conducting this referendum are set forth in 7 
CFR part 1208, subpart E. A final rule amending this subpart is 
published in this issue of the Federal Register.
    Pursuant to the Act, USDA is conducting the required referendum 
beginning February 2, 2009 through February 27, 2009.
    Form LS-86 may be requested in person, by mail, or by facsimile 
from February 2, 2009 through February 27, 2009. Form LS-86 may also be 
obtained via the Internet at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/LSMarketingPrograms during the same 4-week period. Eligible voters 
would vote at the FSA office where FSA maintains and processes the 
person's, corporation's, or other entity's administrative farm records. 
For the person, corporation, or other entity eligible to vote that does 
not participate in FSA programs, the opportunity to vote would be 
provided at the FSA office serving the county where the person, 
corporation, or other entity owns or rents land.
    Voters can determine the location of county FSA offices by 
contacting (1) The nearest FSA office, (2) the State FSA office, or (3) 
through an online search of FSA's Web site at: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/pas/default.asp. From the options available on this Web site select 
``Your local office,'' click on your State, and click on the map to 
select a county.
    Form LS-86 and supporting documentation may be returned in person, 
by mail, or facsimile to the appropriate county FSA office. Form LS-86, 
and accompanying documentation returned in person or by facsimile, must 
be received in the appropriate FSA office prior to the close of 
business on February 27, 2009. Form LS-86 and accompanying 
documentation returned by mail must be postmarked no later than 
midnight of February 27, 2009, and received in the county office by 
close of business on March 6, 2009.
    In accordance with Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), 
the information collection requirements have been approved under OMB 
number 0581-0093.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 7411-7425 and 7 U.S.C. 7401.

    Dated: December 10, 2008.
James E. Link,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
 [FR Doc. E8-29693 Filed 12-15-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P