USDA Proposes Procedures for Pork Referendum
                                                               
                                                               
                                           Release No.  0124.00
                                                               
                                                               
                                    Susan McAvoy (202) 720-4623
                                          susan.mcavoy@usda.gov
                               Billy Cox         (202) 720-8998
                                             billy.cox@usda.gov
                                                               
                                                               
USDA PROPOSES PROCEDURES FOR PORK REFERENDUM

     WASHINGTON, April 14, 2000--Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today
announced proposed procedures for the upcoming referendum on continuation of
the pork checkoff program.

     "This is a very important issue, and I encourage folks to comment on
these proposed regulations.  I want to make sure that the rules for the
referendum are absolutely clear and understood by pork producers around the
country so we can have a fair referendum on the checkoff," said Glickman.

     The proposed rules, which will be published in the Federal Register on
April 18, will  establish a two-day period for in-person voting and a four-
week absentee ballot period for producers.  Voting will take place at the Farm
Service Agency county offices, and FSA employees will count the ballots,
determine the eligibility of challenged voters, and report the results. 
Importers will cast their ballots by mail.

     The Secretary will consider all comments received up to 30 days after
publication of the proposed rules before issuing final rules setting the date
for the referendum.  The referendum will be paid for with USDA funds.

     The congressionally mandated pork checkoff program is authorized by the
Pork Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act of 1985.  Secretary
Glickman announced in late February that he was authorizing a vote on
continuation of the checkoff program.
 
     Comments, postmarked no later than May 18, may be sent to Ralph L. Tapp,
Chief, Marketing Programs Branch, Livestock and Seed Program, AMS, USDA, 1400
Independence Avenue, SW., STOP-0251, Washington, D.C. 20250-0251; telephone
202/720-1115; facsimile 202/720/1125; or email at Ralph.Tapp@usda.gov.

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