Lamb Promotion Program Rules Issued

June 7, 2002

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service is issuing assessment collection and remittance regulations for the Lamb Promotion, Research and Information Program. The collection of assessments will begin July 1 and will support a program to advance the position of lamb in the marketplace.

Domestic lamb producers, feeders, seed stock producers and exporters will pay one-half cent ($.005) per pound of live lambs sold. In addition, first handlers, primarily packers, will be assessed 30-cents-per-head of lambs purchased by the first handler for slaughter. Importers of lamb will not be assessed.

First handlers and exporters will collect the assessments from producers, feeders and seed stock producers and remit the applicable form and assessment due to the Secretary at the following address: Lamb Promotion, Research and Information Program, c/o the Secretary at USDA, 23029 Network Place, Chicago, Ill. 60673-1230.

Request for refunds should be mailed to: Lamb Promotion, Research and Information Program, c/o the Secretary at USDA, P.O. Box 23198, Washington, DC 20026-3198. The Board will initiate payment of refund requests or a pro rata share within 90 days after the results of the referendum are announced.

Details of the assessment regulations will appear as an interim final rule with request for comments in today's (June 7) Federal Register. Comments are due by Aug. 30. Copies of the interim final rule and additional information are available from Marlene M. Betts, Acting Chief, Marketing Programs Branch, AMS Livestock and Seed Program, USDA Stop 0251, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-0251; telephone number (202) 720-1115. Forms are also available on the Internet at http://www.ams.usda.gov/lsg/mpb/rp-lamb.htm.