Comment Period Re-Opened on Lamb Promotion Rule

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service is providing an additional 30 days for public comment on the proposed rule that would amend the Lamb Promotion, Research and Information Order under the Commodity Promotion, Research and Information Act of 1996.

AMS is reopening the comment period to encourage additional input on a topic identified during the initial comment period. AMS received a request for flexibility in the remittance of collected assessments by lower-volume or seasonal market agencies. Such flexibilities could allow small market agencies that fall below a specific threshold to remit assessments on a quarterly or annual basis, as opposed to the required monthly basis. The proposed rule will not increase assessment rates.

Reopening the comment period provides interested persons an additional opportunity to comment on the proposal. Comments are solicited from all stakeholders, notably those who would be impacted by the proposed amendments.

The reopening of comments was published in the Federal Register on Feb. 22. The public can provide comments until March 24, at www.Regulations.gov. For more information, contact Jason Julian, agricultural marketing specialist, at jason.julian@usda.gov or 202-731-2149.

Since 1966, Congress has authorized industry-funded research and promotion boards to provide a framework for agricultural industries to pool resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets and conduct important research and promotion activities. AMS provides oversight to 22 boards. The oversight ensures fiscal accountability and program integrity and is paid for by industry assessments.

Source: American Sheep Industry Association