The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced it is seeking comments on a proposed rule to increase membership on the United Soybean Board from 73 to 78 members to reflect changes in production levels that have occurred since 2015. Membership on the board is reviewed every three years and adjusted, if necessary, as required by the Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act.
The proposed change would result in an increase in board membership. Alabama, Kentucky, North Dakota, South Dakota and Tennessee would each gain one member. The changes would be included in the Soybean Promotion and Research Order and would be effective for the 2019 board appointment process.
The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register July 6, 2018. Comments must be received by Sept. 4, 2018. Comments may be submitted online at Regulations.gov, faxed to (202) 720–1125 or sent to Research and Promotion Division, Livestock and Poultry Program, AMS, USDA, Room 2610-S, STOP 0251, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, D.C. 20250-251. All comments should include docket number AMS–LPS–18–0015, the date of submission and the page number of the issue of the Federal Register.
Comments received before the deadline will be posted without change, including any personal information provided. For more information, contact Agricultural Marketing Specialist Mike Dinkel at (202) 689-9348 or Michael.Dinkel@ams.usda.gov.
More information about the board is available on the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service’s United Soybean Board page and on the United Soybean Board website.
Since 1966, Congress has authorized the establishment of 22 industry-funded research and promotion boards. They empower farmers and ranchers to leverage their own resources to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets, and conduct important research and promotion activities. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service provides oversight, paid for by industry assessments, which ensures fiscal accountability and program integrity for participating stakeholders.
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