USDA issues final procedures - sets date for Lamb Referendum

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service announced the final procedures for a continuance referendum under the Lamb Promotion, Research, and Information order, more commonly known as the Lamb Checkoff Program, and also announced that the referendum will be conducted January 31 through February 28, 2005.
The referendum will be conducted at USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) county offices.
"To be eligible to participate, persons must certify and provide documentation, such as a sales receipt or remittance form, which shows they have been engaged in the production, feeding, or slaughtering of lambs during the period of January 1 through December 31, 2004", stated Derryl McLaren, State Executive Director for the Iowa USDA Farm Service Agency.
Beginning January 31, 2005, and continuing through February 28, 2005, persons may obtain form LS-86 to vote in the referendum from the local FSA county offices either in person, by mail, or facsimile. Forms may also be obtained via the Internet at www.ams.usda.gov/lsg/mpb /rp-lamb.htm.
"Persons will vote in the referendum at the FSA county office where their administrative farm records are maintained. For persons not participating in FSA programs, the opportunity to vote will be provided at the county office where the person owns or rents land", added McLaren.
Form LS-86 and supporting documentation may be returned in person, by mail or facsimile to the appropriate FSA county office. Form LS-86, and accompanying documentation returned in person or by facsimile, must be received in the appropriate county office before the close of business of February 28, 2005. Form LS-86 and accompanying documentation returned by mail must be postmarked no later than midnight of February 28, 2005, and received in the FSA county office by March 7, 2005.
For the program to continue, it must be approved by a majority of voters who also represent a majority of the volume represented in the referendum. The Lamb Checkoff Program is authorized by the Commodity Promotion, Research and Information Act of 1996. This program provides for assessments on the sale of lamb and lamb products and for an industry board to carry out promotion, research and information programs designed to increase the demand for lamb and lamb products.
The referendum is mandated by the Act and requires that the Secretary of Agriculture conduct a referendum either before its going into effect or within three years after assessments first begins under an order. The order provides that the referendum be held within three years after assessments first begin. Assessments began July 1, 2002. AMS oversees the activities of the program.
For more information regarding the referendum, contact your local FSA office.