Agricultural Marketing Service July 18, 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This final rule adjusts representation on the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board (Board), established under the Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985 (Act), to reflect changes in cattle inventories and cattle and beef imports that have occurred since the most recent Board reapportionment rule became effective in October 2008. These adjustments are required by the Beef Promotion and Research Order (Order) and will result in a decrease in Board membership from 106 to 103, effective with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) appointments for terms beginning early in the year 2012.

This rule changes the boundaries of all seven districts under the Watermelon Research and Promotion Plan (Plan) to reapportion the producer, handler, and importer memberships on the National Watermelon Promotion Board (Board). In addition, the Board is adding two importer seats based on the quantity of watermelon imports in the past three years. These changes are based on a review of the production and assessments paid in each district and the amount of watermelon import assessments, which the Plan requires at least every five years. As a result of these changes, the importer seats will increase from six to eight. Therefore, the total Board membership will increase from 35 to 37 members. In addition, a new Code of Federal Regulation section is added to reflect the importer representation on the Board.