Sam Jones-Ellard (202) 720-8998 samuel.jones@ams.usda.gov Billy Cox (202) 720-8998 billy.cox@ams.usda.gov
WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 2010 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced the results of a Cotton Research and Promotion Program referendum. The referendum was held Oct. 13, 2009, through Nov. 10, 2009, to consider amendments to the Cotton Research and Promotion Order (Order).
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) proposed to amend the Order to implement section 14202 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill) that amended the Cotton Research and Promotion Act (Act). The 2008 Farm Bill provided that the states of Kansas, Virginia and Florida be separate states in the definition of “cotton-producing state.”
According to the Act, a referendum among cotton producers and importers is required to implement, amend, continue, or when appropriate, to suspend, or to terminate the Order or any of its provisions. In order to be eligible to vote, a producer or importer must have produced or imported Upland cotton during the representative period of Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2008.
Two amendments were proposed by AMS:
- Revise the definition of “cotton-producing state.” - Revise the definition of “cotton-producing region” to conform with the change of "cotton-producing state."
Of the 445 valid ballots cast, 405 or 91 percent favored the amendments to the Order. Opposing ballots totaled 40 or 9 percent.
For the amendments to be approved, section 10(b)(2) of the Cotton Act provides that an amendment is approved by a majority of cotton producers and importers subject to the Cotton Order voting in the referendum.
A notice of the results of the referendum will be published soon in the Federal Register. The amendments will become effective after a final rule is issued in the Federal Register. For more information, contact Shethir M. Riva, Chief, Research and Promotion Staff, Cotton and Tobacco Programs, AMS, USDA, Stop 0224, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Room 2639-S, Washington, D.C. 20250-0224, telephone (202) 720-6603, facsimile (202) 690-1718, or email at Shethir.Riva@ams.usda.gov.
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272(voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).AMS No. 242-09