[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 59 (Tuesday, March 26, 1996)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 13061] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-7191] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 7 CFR Part 1280 [No. LS-96-002] Sheep Promotion, Research, and Information Program AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service; USDA. ACTION: Notice of Referendum Results ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is announcing that sheep producers, sheep feeders, and importers of sheep and sheep products voting in a national referendum on February 6, 1996, have approved the Sheep and Wool Promotion, Research, Education, and Information Order (Order). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ralph L. Tapp, Chief, Marketing Programs Branch, Livestock and Seed Division, AMS, USDA, Room 2606-S; P.O. Box 96456; Washington, D.C. 20090-6456. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Sheep Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1994, 7 U.S.C. 7101 et seq. (Act), the Department of Agriculture conducted a referendum on February 6, 1996, among eligible sheep producers, sheep feeders, and importers of sheep and sheep products to determine if an Order would become effective. Of the 19,801 valid ballots cast, 10,707 (54.1 percent) favored and 9,094 (45.9 percent) opposed the implementation of the Order. Additionally, of those persons who cast valid ballots in the referendum, those who favored the Order account for 40 percent of the total production voted, and those opposed account for 60 percent of the total production voted. The Order could have been approved by either a majority of the producers, feeders, and importers voting in the referendum or by those voting in the referendum who accounted for at least two-thirds of the production represented. Therefore, based on the referendum results, the Secretary of Agriculture has determined that the required majority of eligible producers, feeders, and importers who voted absentee or in person in the February 6, 1996, national referendum voted to implement the Order. As a result, a promotion, research, education, and information program will be funded by a mandatory assessment on domestic sheep producers, lamb feeders, and exporters of live sheep and greasy wool of 1 cent per pound on live sheep sold and 2 cents per pound on greasy wool sold. Importers will be assessed (1) 1 cent per pound on live sheep; (2) the equivalent of 1 cent per pound of live sheep for sheep products; and (3) 2 cents per pound of degreased wool or the equivalent of degreased wool for wool and wool products. Imported raw wool will be exempt from assessments. Each person who processes or causes to be processed sheep or sheep products of that person's own production and markets the processed products, will be assessed the equivalent of 1 cent per pound of live sheep sold or 2 cents per pound of greasy wool sold. All assessments may be adjusted in accordance with applicable provisions of the Act. The date when assessments will begin will be announced at a later date. Dated: March 20, 1996. Lon Hatamiya, Administrator. [FR Doc. 96-7191 Filed 3-25-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-02-P