Sam Jones-Ellard (202) 720-8998Samuel.Jones@ams.usda.gov
WASHINGTON, April 4, 2011--The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service is proposing to decrease membership on the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board from 106 to 103 members. The law authorizing the board requires the board’s size to change with shifts in cattle inventory levels.
This decrease is due to changes in cattle inventories since the last board reapportionment in 2008. Under the proposal, domestic cattle producer representation on the board would decrease from 97 to 96, and importer representation would decrease from nine to seven. The decrease is based on requirements of the Beef Promotion and Research Order, authorized by the Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985. The Order provides for a review of geographic distribution of U.S. cattle inventories and the volume of imported cattle, beef, and beef products at least every three years and not more than every two years. Board membership then must be reapportioned accordingly.
A state or unit must have an inventory of 500,000 head of cattle to be represented on the board and is entitled to an additional member for each additional 1,000,000 head of cattle. In considering reapportionment, the board reviewed cattle inventories, as well as cattle, beef, and beef product import data, for 2008 through 2010. The revised representation would be effective with nominations in 2011 for appointments effective early in the year 2011.
Detail of the proposed changes will appear in the April 4, 2011, Federal Register. Comments may be submitted online at www.regulations.gov, or sent to Kenneth R. Payne, Chief; Marketing Programs Branch, Room 2638-S; Livestock and Seed Program, AMS, USDA; STOP 0251; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.; Washington, D.C. 20250-0251; telephone number (202) 720-1115; fax (202) 720-1125. Copies of the proposed rule and additional information are available from the same address.
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