WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is proposing to adjust membership on the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board to reflect shifts in cattle inventory levels since the last board reapportionment in 2014, as required by the rules governing the board.
Under the proposal, total board membership would decrease by one member, from 100 to 99 members. Domestic cattle producer representation on the board would decrease from 94 to 92 members. The states of Texas and Virginia would each lose one member. Importer representation would increase from six to seven members.
The adjustment is based on requirements of the Beef Promotion and Research Order (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, but not more than every two years. After the review, board membership 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 from 2013 through 2016. The revised representation would be effective with nominations in 2017 for appointments effective early in 2018.
Details of the proposed changes will appear in the Jan. 13, 2017, Federal Register. Comments may be submitted online at www.regulations.gov, or sent to Mike Dinkel, Marketing Specialist; Research and Promotion Division, Room 2608-S; Livestock, Poultry, and Seed Program; AMS, USDA, STOP 0249; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.; Washington, D.C. 20250-0249; telephone number (301) 352-7497; fax (202) 720-1125. Copies of the proposed rule and additional information are available from the same address.
Source: USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)
