This rule establishes procedures for conducting a referendum
to determine whether domestic producers and importers favor continuation
of a Christmas tree Order.
USDA will conduct the referendum. The 1996
Act allows for a referendum to be conducted determining if domestic
producers and importers favor the Order and also providing that a
referendum be conducted up to three years after the effective date of
the Proposed Order. Domestic producers and importers can vote three
years after the establishment of the program to determine if they favor
the continuation of the program. The procedures will also be used for
any subsequent referendum under the Order. The procedures are
authorized under paragraph (e) of section 518 the 1996 Act.
Regarding the economic impact of the Order on affected entities,
domestic producers and importers of more than 500 Christmas trees
annually will be required to pay assessments to the Board. As
previously mentioned, the initial assessment rate will be $0.15 per
Christmas tree domestically produced or imported to the United States
and could be increased to no more than $0.20 per Christmas tree. Voting
in the referendum is optional. If current domestic producers and
importers chose to vote, the burden of voting would be offset by the
benefits of having the opportunity to vote on whether or not they want
the program to become effective.
Edited by user
14 years ago |
Reason: Not specified