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Comments sought on second beef checkoff

 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking comments from the public to guide in development of a second beef checkoff.  This would be in addition to the current beef checkoff.

The current $1 per-head cattle checkoff has not changed since the order was first established by Congress in 1985.  It can only be changed by Congress.

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says beef industry representatives agree the current funding is insufficient, an additional checkoff would fund new product development, enhance consumer and nutritional information and research among other things.  The ultimate goal is to increase demand for beef, benefiting cattle producers.

 

Interested parties have until Dec.10, 2014, to submit comments on any of the issues below, and comments should reference the appropriate heading:

1. Who should be assessed?
2. What should be the board structure?

• Who is eligible to serve?
• Should there be a relatively large delegate body appointed by the Secretary that would elect and recommend from within itself a smaller board?
• What should be the size of the board?
• What should be the term of office?

3. How should the board be selected?

• Who may nominate eligible candidates to serve?
• What should be the nomination and selection process?

4. What should be the powers and duties of the board?
5. Who has decision-making authority?

• Should funding decisions be made by the full board or a smaller body elected from within this board?
• Should funding decisions be made in conjunction with other organizations such as the Federation of State Beef Councils or the current Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board?

6. How should the assessment rate be determined?

• Should the assessment be a specified amount, a percent of value, or an amount determined by board?
• If a specified amount or a percent of value, should there be provisions for adjustments to the rate by the board, and without subsequent producer referendum?
• Should there be a de minimis exemption for certain size operations or classes of cattle or beef?
• Should there be temporary or permanent provisions for refunds of assessments?

7. How should assessments be collected?

• Should the States or the national board collect the assessment?
• Should be assessment be levied at all points of sale, at slaughter, or at some other time?

8. When should the referenda be conducted?

Details of the notice of inquiry will appear in the Nov. 10, 2014, Federal Register.

Comments may be submitted online at www.regulations.gov or sent to Beef Promotion, Research, and Information Order; Research and Promotion Division, Room 2096-S; Livestock, Poultry and Seed Program; AMS, USDA, STOP 0249; 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.; Washington, D.C. 20250-0249; telephone number (202) 720-5705.