Soybean Promotion and Research Program: Procedures to Request a Referendum

This final rule establishes procedures for soybean producers to request a referendum on the Soybean Promotion and Research Order (Order) as authorized under the Soybean Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act (Act). The Act provides that the Secretary, 5 years after the conduct of the initial referendum, shall give soybean producers the opportunity to request an additional referendum on the Order. Individual producers and other producer entities will be provided the opportunity to request a referendum during a specified period announced by the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary), at the county Farm Service Agency (FSA) office where FSA maintains and processes the producer's administrative farm records. For the producer not participating in FSA programs, the opportunity to request a referendum will be provided at the county FSA office serving the county where the producer owns or rents land. Participation in the Request for Referendum is not mandatory. This final rule establishes the procedures for conducting the required Request for Referendum.