Cotton Research and Promotion Program: Request for Comments To Be Used in a Review of 1990 Amendments to the Cotton Research and Promotion Act, 31573-31574 [2011-13500]
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 105 / Wednesday, June 1, 2011 / Notices
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
the use of new electronic benefits
transfer (EBT) for Federal nutrition
programs at farmers markets. To be
considered within the 10 percent
allotment of funds for EBT, the
application narrative must clearly
designate the applicant’s intent to
compete for FMPP funds as a new EBT
project. FMPP funds shall be provided
to successful proposals that demonstrate
a plan to continue to provide EBT card
access at one or more farmers markets
following the receipt of the grant.
When an applicant has multiple
project ideas, AMS requires that similar
proposals be submitted in the
application package. Due to the
legislative mandate, the Agency
differentiates projects as EBT-related or
non EBT-related submissions. As such,
all non-EBT project ideas must be
submitted in one application and all
new or existing EBT-related projects
submitted in a second, distinctly
separate application. Failure to comply
with this requirement will result in the
rejection of the application. See the
2011 FMPP Guidelines at https://
www.ams.usda.gov/FMPP for
instructions for multiple application
submissions.
While there is no limit to the number
of applications that may be submitted,
AMS will only award an organization
one grant in a funding year. Awardees
from the FY 2010 grant program will not
be considered for FMPP funding in FY
2011.
FMPP reserves the right to reject an
application that is incomplete or does
not follow the application requirements;
i.e., hand-written or in excess of the
required page limitation. Application
packages without required information
will not be considered. FMPP’s award
decisions are final.
Paperwork Reduction Act
In accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995, (44 U.S.C.
Chapter 35), the FMPP information
collection was previously approved by
OMB and was assigned OMB control
number 0581–0235.
AMS is committed to compliance
with the Government Paperwork
Elimination Act (GPEA) that requires
Government agencies in general to
provide the public the option of
submitting information or transacting
business electronically to the maximum
extent possible.
How To Submit Proposals and
Applications
Each applicant must follow the
application preparation and submission
instructions provided within the 2011
FMPP Guidelines at https://
VerDate Mar<15>2010
18:48 May 31, 2011
Jkt 223001
www.ams.usda.gov/FMPP. Electronic
forms, proposals, letters of support, or
any other application materials e-mailed
directly to AMS–FMPP or USDA–AMS
staff will not be accepted.
Following are the options available
for submitting proposals and
applications to AMS:
Paper Submissions—An original and
one copy of the proposal, required
forms, narrative, letters of support, and
all required materials must be submitted
in one package, preferably via express
mail.
Electronic Submissions via
Grants.gov—Applicants may apply
electronically for grants through
Grants.gov at https://www.Grants.gov
(insert 10.168 in grant search field) and
are strongly encouraged to initiate the
electronic submission process at least
two weeks prior to the application
deadline. Grants.gov applicants who
submit their FMPP proposals via this
Federal grants web site are not required
to submit any paper documents to
FMPP.
FMPP is listed in the ‘‘Catalog of
Federal Domestic Assistance’’ under
number 10.168. Subject agencies,
including FMPP, must adhere to Title VI
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which
bars discrimination in all federally
assisted programs.
Dated: May 24, 2011.
Rayne Pegg,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2011–13483 Filed 5–31–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–02–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[AMS–CN–11–0036; CN–11–003]
Cotton Research and Promotion
Program: Request for Comments To
Be Used in a Review of 1990
Amendments to the Cotton Research
and Promotion Act
Agricultural Marketing Service,
USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
As provided for by the Cotton
Research and Promotion Act
Amendments of 1990, the Agricultural
Marketing Service (AMS) is announcing
its intention to conduct a review to
ascertain whether a referendum is
needed to determine whether producers
and importers favor continuation of
amendments to the Cotton Research and
Promotion Order. This notice invites all
interested parties to submit written
comments to the Department of
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
31573
Agriculture (USDA). USDA will
consider these comments in
determining whether a referendum is
warranted. USDA should announce
review results sometime during the
latter part of 2011.
DATES: Comments must be received on
or before August 1, 2011.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are
invited to submit written comments on
the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov or to Shethir M.
Riva, Chief, Research and Promotion
Staff, Cotton and Tobacco Programs,
AMS, USDA, Stop 0224, 1400
Independence Ave., SW., Room 2635–S,
Washington, DC 20250–0224; fax: (202)
690–1718. All comments should
reference the docket number and the
date and page number of this issue of
the Federal Register and will be made
available for public inspection in the
above office during regular business
hours or can be viewed at https://
www.regulations.gov. All comments
submitted in response to this notice will
be included in the record and will be
made available to the public. Please be
advised that the identity of the
individuals or entities submitting
comments will be made public on the
Internet at the address provided above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Shethir M. Riva, Chief, Research and
Promotion Staff, Cotton and Tobacco
Programs, AMS, USDA, Stop 0224, 1400
Independence Ave., SW., Room 2635–S,
Washington, DC 20250–0224, telephone
(540) 361–2726, facsimile (202) 690–
1718, or e-mail at
Shethir.Riva@ams.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Cotton Research and Promotion Act of
1966 (7 U.S.C. 2101–2118) authorized a
national Cotton Research and Promotion
Program which is industry operated and
funded, with oversight by USDA. The
program’s objective is to enable cotton
growers and importers to establish,
finance, and carry out a coordinated
program of research and promotion to
improve the competitive position of,
and to expand markets for cotton.
The program became effective on
December 31, 1966, when the Cotton
Research and Promotion Order (7 CFR
part 1205) was issued. Assessments
began with the 1967 cotton crop. The
Order was amended and a supplemental
assessment initiated, not to exceed one
percent of the value of each bale,
effective January 26, 1977.
The program is currently financed
through assessments levied on domestic
and imported cotton and cottoncontaining products. Assessments under
this program are used to fund
promotional campaigns and to conduct
E:\FR\FM\01JNN1.SGM
01JNN1
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
31574
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 105 / Wednesday, June 1, 2011 / Notices
research in the areas of U.S. marketing,
international marketing, cotton
production and processing, and textile
research and implementation.
The program is administered by the
Cotton Board, which has 41 members,
41 alternate members and one consumer
advisor. The Cotton Board is composed
of representatives of cotton producers
and cotton importers, each of whom has
an alternate selected by the Secretary of
Agriculture from nominations submitted
by eligible producer and importer
organizations. All members and their
alternates serve terms of 3 years. The
Cotton Board’s responsibility is to
administer the provisions of the Cotton
Research and Promotion Order issued
pursuant to the Act. These
responsibilities include collecting,
holding and safeguarding funds; making
refunds when refunds are a provision of
the Order; contracting with an
organization for the development and
implementation of programs of research
and promotion; reviewing and making
recommendations to the Secretary of
Agriculture on proposed programs and
budgets; and making funds available for
such programs when approved. The
objective of the Cotton Research and
Promotion Program is to strengthen
cotton’s competitive position and to
maintain and expand domestic and
foreign markets and uses for cotton. The
Cotton Board is prohibited from
participating in any matters influencing
governmental policies or action except
recommendations for amendments to
the Order.
Amendments to the Act were enacted
under subtitle G of title XIX of the Food,
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade
Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101–624, 104 stat.
3909, November 28, 1990). These
amendments provided for: (1) Importer
representation on the Cotton Board; (2)
the assessment of imported cotton and
cotton products; (3) increasing the
amount the Secretary of Agriculture can
be reimbursed for conduct of a
referendum from $200,000 to $300,000;
(4) reimbursing government agencies
who assist in administering the
collection of assessments on imported
cotton and cotton products; and (5)
terminating the right of a producer to
demand a refund of assessments. The
Act Amendments of 1990 were
approved by a majority (60 percent) of
importers and producers of cotton
voting in a referendum conducted July
17–26, 1991, as required by the Act.
Results of this referendum were
announced in a nationally distributed
press release dated August 2, 1991.
The Cotton Research and Promotion
Act Amendment of 1990, Section 8(c)
provides that once every 5 years after
VerDate Mar<15>2010
18:48 May 31, 2011
Jkt 223001
the July 1991 referendum, the Secretary
of Agriculture is to conduct a review to
ascertain whether a referendum is
needed. In such a referendum,
producers and importers would
determine whether they favor
continuation of the amendments to the
Order provided for in the Cotton
Research and Promotion Act
Amendments of 1990. These
amendments to the Order were
promulgated in final rules published in
the Federal Register on December 10,
1991 (56 FR 64470), corrected at (56 FR
66670).
The results of the most recent review
report of the Cotton Research and
Promotion Program were issued on
March 6, 2007. USDA announced its
view (72 FR 9918) not to conduct a
referendum regarding the 1991
amendments to the Order. In accordance
with Section 8(c)(2) of the Act, USDA
provided an opportunity for all eligible
persons to request a continuance
referendum on the 1991 amendments by
making such a request during a sign-up
period. During the period of September
3–November 30, 2007, the Department
conducted a sign-up period for all
eligible persons to request a
continuance referendum on the 1990
Act amendments. The results of the
sign-up period did not meet the criteria
established for a continuance
referendum by the Cotton Research and
Promotion Act and therefore, a
referendum was not conducted.
In 2011, in accordance with the
provisions of the Act, the Secretary of
Agriculture will conduct its review of
the Cotton Research and Promotion
Program Act amendments to ascertain
whether a referendum is needed to
determine whether producers and
importers support continuation of the
amendments to the Order, as provided
for by the 1990 Act amendments. The
Secretary of Agriculture should make a
public announcement of the results of
the review on September 24, 2011 (60
days after each fifth anniversary date of
the referendum). If the Secretary of
Agriculture determines that a
referendum is needed, the Secretary of
Agriculture should conduct the
referendum by September 24, 2012
(within 12 months after a public
announcement of the determination to
conduct the referendum).
If the Secretary determines that a
referendum is not warranted, a sign-up
period to request such a referendum
will be made available to cotton
producers and importers. A referendum
will be held if requested by 10 percent
or more of those voting in the most
recent referendum as long as not more
than 20 percent are from any one State
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
or importers of cotton. This sign-up
period would be announced in the
Federal Register. A 60-day comment
period is provided for interested
persons to provide comments to be used
by USDA in its review. All interested
persons are invited to submit written
comments.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 2101–2118.
Dated: May 24, 2011.
Rayne Pegg,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011–13500 Filed 5–31–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–02–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Doc. No. AMS–FV–11–0044; FV11–996–1]
Peanut Standards Board
Agricultural Marketing Service,
USDA.
ACTION: Notice; request for nominations.
AGENCY:
The Farm Security and Rural
Investment Act of 2002 (2002 Farm Bill)
requires the Secretary of Agriculture to
establish a Peanut Standards Board
(Board) for the purpose of advising the
Secretary on quality and handling
standards for domestically produced
and imported peanuts. The initial Board
was appointed by the Secretary and
announced on December 5, 2002. USDA
seeks nominations for individuals to be
considered for selection as Board
members for terms of office ending June
30, 2014. Selected nominees would
replace three producer and two industry
representatives who currently serve on
the Board and have terms of office that
end June 30, 2011. Also, one individual
would fill a currently vacant industry
position. The Board consists of 18
members representing producers and
the industry.
DATES: Written nominations must be
received on or before June 13, 2011.
ADDRESSES: Nominations should be sent
to Dawana J. Clark, Marketing Order
Administration Branch, Fruit and
Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, Unit
155, 4700 River Road, Riverdale, MD
20737: Telephone: (301) 734–5247; Fax:
(301) 734–5275; E-mail:
Dawana.Clark@ams.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section
1308 of the 2002 Farm Bill requires the
Secretary of Agriculture to establish and
consult with the Board for the purpose
of advising the Secretary regarding the
establishment of quality and handling
standards for all domestic and imported
peanuts marketed in the United States.
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\01JNN1.SGM
01JNN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 105 (Wednesday, June 1, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31573-31574]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-13500]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[AMS-CN-11-0036; CN-11-003]
Cotton Research and Promotion Program: Request for Comments To Be
Used in a Review of 1990 Amendments to the Cotton Research and
Promotion Act
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: As provided for by the Cotton Research and Promotion Act
Amendments of 1990, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is
announcing its intention to conduct a review to ascertain whether a
referendum is needed to determine whether producers and importers favor
continuation of amendments to the Cotton Research and Promotion Order.
This notice invites all interested parties to submit written comments
to the Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA will consider these
comments in determining whether a referendum is warranted. USDA should
announce review results sometime during the latter part of 2011.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 1, 2011.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on
the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov or to Shethir M. Riva,
Chief, Research and Promotion Staff, Cotton and Tobacco Programs, AMS,
USDA, Stop 0224, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Room 2635-S, Washington,
DC 20250-0224; fax: (202) 690-1718. All comments should reference the
docket number and the date and page number of this issue of the Federal
Register and will be made available for public inspection in the above
office during regular business hours or can be viewed at https://www.regulations.gov. All comments submitted in response to this notice
will be included in the record and will be made available to the
public. Please be advised that the identity of the individuals or
entities submitting comments will be made public on the Internet at the
address provided above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shethir M. Riva, Chief, Research and
Promotion Staff, Cotton and Tobacco Programs, AMS, USDA, Stop 0224,
1400 Independence Ave., SW., Room 2635-S, Washington, DC 20250-0224,
telephone (540) 361-2726, facsimile (202) 690-1718, or e-mail at
Shethir.Riva@ams.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Cotton Research and Promotion Act of
1966 (7 U.S.C. 2101-2118) authorized a national Cotton Research and
Promotion Program which is industry operated and funded, with oversight
by USDA. The program's objective is to enable cotton growers and
importers to establish, finance, and carry out a coordinated program of
research and promotion to improve the competitive position of, and to
expand markets for cotton.
The program became effective on December 31, 1966, when the Cotton
Research and Promotion Order (7 CFR part 1205) was issued. Assessments
began with the 1967 cotton crop. The Order was amended and a
supplemental assessment initiated, not to exceed one percent of the
value of each bale, effective January 26, 1977.
The program is currently financed through assessments levied on
domestic and imported cotton and cotton-containing products.
Assessments under this program are used to fund promotional campaigns
and to conduct
[[Page 31574]]
research in the areas of U.S. marketing, international marketing,
cotton production and processing, and textile research and
implementation.
The program is administered by the Cotton Board, which has 41
members, 41 alternate members and one consumer advisor. The Cotton
Board is composed of representatives of cotton producers and cotton
importers, each of whom has an alternate selected by the Secretary of
Agriculture from nominations submitted by eligible producer and
importer organizations. All members and their alternates serve terms of
3 years. The Cotton Board's responsibility is to administer the
provisions of the Cotton Research and Promotion Order issued pursuant
to the Act. These responsibilities include collecting, holding and
safeguarding funds; making refunds when refunds are a provision of the
Order; contracting with an organization for the development and
implementation of programs of research and promotion; reviewing and
making recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture on proposed
programs and budgets; and making funds available for such programs when
approved. The objective of the Cotton Research and Promotion Program is
to strengthen cotton's competitive position and to maintain and expand
domestic and foreign markets and uses for cotton. The Cotton Board is
prohibited from participating in any matters influencing governmental
policies or action except recommendations for amendments to the Order.
Amendments to the Act were enacted under subtitle G of title XIX of
the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (Pub. L.
101-624, 104 stat. 3909, November 28, 1990). These amendments provided
for: (1) Importer representation on the Cotton Board; (2) the
assessment of imported cotton and cotton products; (3) increasing the
amount the Secretary of Agriculture can be reimbursed for conduct of a
referendum from $200,000 to $300,000; (4) reimbursing government
agencies who assist in administering the collection of assessments on
imported cotton and cotton products; and (5) terminating the right of a
producer to demand a refund of assessments. The Act Amendments of 1990
were approved by a majority (60 percent) of importers and producers of
cotton voting in a referendum conducted July 17-26, 1991, as required
by the Act. Results of this referendum were announced in a nationally
distributed press release dated August 2, 1991.
The Cotton Research and Promotion Act Amendment of 1990, Section
8(c) provides that once every 5 years after the July 1991 referendum,
the Secretary of Agriculture is to conduct a review to ascertain
whether a referendum is needed. In such a referendum, producers and
importers would determine whether they favor continuation of the
amendments to the Order provided for in the Cotton Research and
Promotion Act Amendments of 1990. These amendments to the Order were
promulgated in final rules published in the Federal Register on
December 10, 1991 (56 FR 64470), corrected at (56 FR 66670).
The results of the most recent review report of the Cotton Research
and Promotion Program were issued on March 6, 2007. USDA announced its
view (72 FR 9918) not to conduct a referendum regarding the 1991
amendments to the Order. In accordance with Section 8(c)(2) of the Act,
USDA provided an opportunity for all eligible persons to request a
continuance referendum on the 1991 amendments by making such a request
during a sign-up period. During the period of September 3-November 30,
2007, the Department conducted a sign-up period for all eligible
persons to request a continuance referendum on the 1990 Act amendments.
The results of the sign-up period did not meet the criteria established
for a continuance referendum by the Cotton Research and Promotion Act
and therefore, a referendum was not conducted.
In 2011, in accordance with the provisions of the Act, the
Secretary of Agriculture will conduct its review of the Cotton Research
and Promotion Program Act amendments to ascertain whether a referendum
is needed to determine whether producers and importers support
continuation of the amendments to the Order, as provided for by the
1990 Act amendments. The Secretary of Agriculture should make a public
announcement of the results of the review on September 24, 2011 (60
days after each fifth anniversary date of the referendum). If the
Secretary of Agriculture determines that a referendum is needed, the
Secretary of Agriculture should conduct the referendum by September 24,
2012 (within 12 months after a public announcement of the determination
to conduct the referendum).
If the Secretary determines that a referendum is not warranted, a
sign-up period to request such a referendum will be made available to
cotton producers and importers. A referendum will be held if requested
by 10 percent or more of those voting in the most recent referendum as
long as not more than 20 percent are from any one State or importers of
cotton. This sign-up period would be announced in the Federal Register.
A 60-day comment period is provided for interested persons to provide
comments to be used by USDA in its review. All interested persons are
invited to submit written comments.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 2101-2118.
Dated: May 24, 2011.
Rayne Pegg,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-13500 Filed 5-31-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
