USC Chapter 62

in effect

7 U.S.C. § 2901 Congressional findings and declaration of policy

(a) Congress finds that—(1) beef and beef products are basic foods that are a valuable part of human diet; (2) the production of beef and beef products plays a significant role in the Nation’s economy, beef and beef products are produced by thousands of beef producers and processed by numerous processing entities, and beef and beef products are consumed by millions of people throughout the United States and foreign countries; (3) beef and beef products should be readily available and marketed efficiently to ensure that the people of the United States receive adequate nourishment; (4) the maintenance and expansion of existing markets for beef and beef products are vital to the welfare of beef producers and those concerned with marketing, using, and producing beef products, as well as to the general economy of the Nation; (5) there exist established State and national organizations conducting beef promotion, research, and consumer education programs that are invaluable to the efforts of promoting the consumption of beef and beef products; and (6) beef and beef products move in interstate and foreign commerce, and beef and beef products that do not move in such channels of commerce directly burden or affect interstate commerce of beef and beef products. (b) It, therefore, is declared to be the policy of Congress that it is in the public interest to authorize the establishment, through the exercise of the powers provided herein, of an orderly procedure for financing (through assessments on all cattle sold in the United States and on cattle, beef, and beef products imported into the United States) and carrying out a coordinated program of promotion and research designed to strengthen the beef industry’s position in the marketplace and to maintain and expand domestic and foreign markets and uses for beef and beef products. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to limit the right of individual producers to raise cattle.

7 U.S.C. § 2902 Definitions

For purposes of this chapter— (1) the term “beef” means flesh of cattle; (2) the term “beef products” means edible products produced in whole or in part from beef, exclusive of milk and products made therefrom; (3) the term “Board” means the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board established under section 2904(1) of this title; (4) the term “cattle” means live domesticated bovine animals regardless of age; (5) the term “Committee” means the Beef Promotion Operating Committee established under section 2904(5) of this title; (6) the term “consumer information” means nutritional data and other information that will assist consumers and other persons in making evaluations and decisions regarding the purchasing, preparing, and use of beef and beef products; (7) the term “Department” means the Department of Agriculture.11 So in original. The period probably should be a semicolon. (8) the term “importer” means any person who imports cattle, beef, or beef products from outside the United States; (9) the term “industry information” means information and programs that will lead to the development of new markets, marketing strategies, increased efficiency, and activities to enhance the image of the cattle industry; (10) The 22 So in original. Probably should not be capitalized. term “order” means a beef promotion and research order issued under section 2903 of this title.1 (11) the term “person” means any individual, group of individuals, partnership, corporation, association, cooperative, or any other entity; (12) the term “producer” means any person who owns or acquires ownership of cattle, except that a person shall not be considered to be a producer if the person’s only share in the proceeds of a sale of cattle or beef is a sales commission, handling fee, or other service fee; (13) the term “promotion” means any action, including paid advertising, to advance the image and desirability of beef and beef products with the express intent of improving the competitive position and stimulating sales of beef and beef products in the marketplace; (14) the term “qualified State beef council” means a beef promotion entity that is authorized by State statute or is organized and operating within a State, that receives voluntary contributions and conducts beef promotion, research, and consumer information programs, and that is recognized by the Board as the beef promotion entity within such State; (15) the term “research” means studies testing the effectiveness of market development and promotion efforts, studies relating to the nutritional value of beef and beef products, other related food science research, and new product development; (16) the term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture; (17) The 2 term “State” means each of the 50 States; and (18) the term “United States” means the several States and the District of Columbia.

7 U.S.C. § 2903 Issuance of orders

(a) During the period beginning on January 1, 1986, and ending thirty days after receipt of a proposal for a beef promotion and research order, the Secretary shall publish such proposed order and give due notice and opportunity for public comment on such proposed order. Such proposal may be submitted by any organization meeting the requirements for certification under section 2905 of this title or any interested person, including the Secretary. (b) After notice and opportunity for public comment are given, as provided for in subsection (a), the Secretary shall issue a beef promotion and research order. The order shall become effective not later than one hundred and twenty days following publication of the proposed order.

7 U.S.C. § 2904 Required terms in orders

An order issued under section 2903(b) of this title shall contain the following terms and conditions: (1) The order shall provide for the establishment and selection of a Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board. Members of the Board shall be cattle producers and importers appointed by the Secretary from (A) nominations submitted by eligible State organizations certified under section 2905 of this title (or, if the Secretary determines that there is no eligible State organization in a State, the Secretary may provide for nominations from such State to be made in a different manner), and (B) nominations submitted by importers under such procedures as the Secretary determines appropriate. In determining geographic representation for cattle producers on the Board, whole States shall be considered as a unit. Each State that has a total cattle inventory greater than five hundred thousand head shall be entitled to at least one representative on the Board. A State that has a total inventory of fewer than 500,000 cattle shall be grouped, as far as practicable, with other States each of which has a combined total inventory of not less than 500,000 cattle, into geographically contiguous units in a manner prescribed in the order. A unit may be represented on the Board by more than one member. For each additional million head of cattle within a unit, such unit shall be entitled to an additional member on the Board. The Board may recommend a change in the level of inventory per unit necessary for representation on the Board and, on such recommendation, the Secretary may change the level necessary for representation on the Board. The number of members on the Board that represent importers shall be determined by the Secretary on a proportional basis, by converting the volume of imported beef and beef products into live animal equivalencies. (2) The order shall define the powers and duties of the Board, which shall be exercised at an annual meeting, and shall include only the following powers:(A) To administer the order in accordance with its terms and provisions. (B) To make rules and regulations to effectuate the terms and provisions of the order. (C) To elect members of the Board to serve on the Committee. (D) To approve or disapprove budgets submitted by the Committee. (E) To receive, investigate, and report to the Secretary complaints of violations of the order. (F) To recommend to the Secretary amendments to the order. In addition, the order shall determine the circumstances under which special meetings of the Board may be held. (3) The order shall provide that the term of appointment to the Board shall be three years with no member serving more than two consecutive terms, except that initial appointments shall be proportionately for one-year, two-year, and three-year terms; and that Board members shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for their reasonable expenses incurred in performing their duties as members of the Board. (4)(A) The order shall provide that the Board shall elect from its membership ten members to serve on the Beef Promotion Operating Committee, which shall be composed of ten members of the Board and ten producers elected by a federation that includes as members the qualified State beef councils. The producers elected by the federation shall be certified by the Secretary as producers that are directors of a qualified State beef council. The Secretary also shall certify that such directors are duly elected by the federation as representatives to the Committee. (B) The Committee shall develop plans or projects of promotion and advertising, research, consumer information, and industry information, which shall be paid for with assessments collected by the Board. In developing plans or projects, the Committee shall—(i) to the extent practicable, take into account similarities and differences between certain beef, beef products, and veal; and (ii) ensure that segments of the beef industry that enjoy a unique consumer identity receive equitable and fair treatment under this chapter. (C) The Committee shall be responsible for developing and submitting to the Board, for its approval, budgets on a fiscal year basis of its anticipated expenses and disbursements, including probable costs of advertising and promotion, research, consumer information, and industry information projects. The Board shall approve or disapprove such budgets and, if approved, shall submit such budget to the Secretary for the Secretary’s approval. (D) The total costs of collection of assessments and administrative staff incurred by the Board during any fiscal year shall not exceed 5 per centum of the projected total assessments to be collected by the Board for such fiscal year. The Board shall use, to the extent possible, the resources, staffs, and facilities of existing organizations. (5) The order shall provide that terms of appointment to the Committee shall be one year, and that no person may serve on the Committee for more than six consecutive terms. Committee members shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for their reasonable expenses incurred in performing their duties as members of the Committee. The Committee may utilize the resources, staffs, and facilities of the Board and industry organizations. An employee of an industry organization may not receive compensation for work performed for the Committee, but shall be reimbursed from assessments collected by the Board for reasonable expenses incurred in performing such work. (6) The order shall provide that, to ensure coordination and efficient use of funds, the Committee shall enter into contracts or agreements for implementing and carrying out the activities authorized by this chapter with established national nonprofit industry-governed organizations, including the federation referred to in paragraph (4), to implement programs of promotion, research, consumer information, and industry information. Any such contract or agreement shall provide that—(A) the person entering the contract or agreement shall develop and submit to the Committee a plan or project together with a budget or budgets that shows estimated costs to be incurred for the plan or project; (B) the plan or project shall become effective on the approval of the Secretary; and (C) the person entering the contract or agreement shall keep accurate records of all of its transactions, account for funds received and expended, and make periodic reports to the Committee of activities conducted, and such other reports as the Secretary, the Board, or the Committee may require. (7) The order shall require the Board and the Committee to—(A) maintain such books and records, which shall be available to the Secretary for inspection and audit, as the Secretary may prescribe; (B) prepare and submit to the Secretary, from time to time, such reports as the Secretary may prescribe; and (C) account for the receipt and disbursement of all funds entrusted to them. (8)(A) The order shall provide that each person making payment to a producer for cattle purchased from the producer shall, in the manner prescribed by the order, collect an assessment and remit the assessment to the Board. The Board shall use qualified State beef councils to collect such assessments. (B) If an appropriate qualified State beef council does not exist to collect an assessment in accordance with paragraph (1), such assessment shall be collected by the Board. (C) The order also shall provide that each importer of cattle, beef, or beef products shall pay an assessment, in the manner prescribed by the order, to the Board. The assessments shall be used for payment of the costs of plans and projects, as provided for in paragraph (4), and expenses in administering the order, including more administrative costs incurred by the Secretary after the order has been promulgated under this chapter, and to establish a reasonable reserve. The rate of assessment prescribed by the order shall be one dollar per head of cattle, or the equivalent thereof in the case of imported beef and beef products. A producer who can establish that the producer is participating in a program of an established qualified State beef council shall receive credit, in determining the assessment due from such producer, for contributions to such program of up to 50 cents per head of cattle or the equivalent thereof. There shall be only one qualified State beef council in each State. Any person marketing from 11 So in original. The word “from” probably should not appear. beef from cattle of the person’s own production shall remit the assessment to the Board in the manner prescribed by the order. (9) The order shall provide that the Board, with the approval of the Secretary, may invest, pending disbursement, funds collected through assessments only in obligations of the United States or any agency thereof, in general obligations of any State or any political subdivision thereof, in any interest-bearing account or certificate of deposit of a bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve System, or in obligations fully guaranteed as to principal and interest by the United States. (10) The order shall prohibit any funds collected by the Board under the order from being used in any manner for the purpose of influencing governmental action or policy, with the exception of recommending amendments to the order. (11) The order shall require that each person making payment to a producer, any person marketing beef from cattle of the person’s own production directly to consumers, and any importer of cattle, beef, or beef products maintain and make available for inspection such books and records as may be required by the order and file reports at the time, in the manner, and having the content prescribed by the order. Such information shall be made available to the Secretary as is appropriate to the administration or enforcement of this chapter, the order, or any regulation issued under this chapter. In addition, the Secretary shall authorize the use of information regarding persons paying producers that is accumulated under a law or regulation other than this chapter or regulations under this chapter. All information so obtained shall be kept confidential by all officers and employees of the Department, and only such information so obtained as the Secretary deems relevant may be disclosed by them and then only in a suit or administrative hearing brought at the request of the Secretary, or to which the Secretary or any officer of the United States is a party, and involving the order. Nothing in this paragraph may be deemed to prohibit—(A) the issuance of general statements, based on the reports, of the number of persons subject to the order or statistical data collected therefrom, which statements do not identify the information furnished by any person; or (B) the publication, by direction of the Secretary, of the name of any person violating the order, together with a statement of the particular provisions of the order violated by the person. No information obtained under the authority of this chapter may be made available to any agency or officer of the United States for any purpose other than the implementation of this chapter and any investigatory or enforcement act necessary for the implementation of this chapter. Any person violating the provisions of this paragraph shall be subject to a fine of not more than $1,000, or to imprisonment for not more than one year, or both, and if an officer or employee of the Board or the Department, shall be removed from office. (12) The order shall contain terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter, as necessary to effectuate the provisions of the order.

7 U.S.C. § 2905 Certification of organizations to nominate

(a) Eligibility of State organization certified by Secretary; eligibility criteriaThe eligibility of any State organization to represent producers and to participate in the making of nominations under section 2904(1) of this title shall be certified by the Secretary. The Secretary shall certify any State organization that the Secretary determines meets the eligibility criteria established under subsection (b) and such determination as to eligibility shall be final. (b) State cattle association or State general farm organizationA State cattle association or State general farm organization may be certified as described in subsection (a) if such association or organization meets all of the following eligibility criteria:(1) The association or organization’s total paid membership is comprised of at least a majority of cattle producers or the association or organization’s total paid membership represents at least a majority of the cattle producers in the State. (2) The association or organization represents a substantial number of producers that produce a substantial number of cattle in the State. (3) The association or organization has a history of stability and permanency. (4) A primary or overriding purpose of the association or organization is to promote the economic welfare of cattle producers. (c) Factual report basis for certification of State cattle association and State general farm associationCertification of State cattle associations and State general farm organizations shall be based on a factual report submitted by the association or organization involved. (d) Certification of more than one State organization; caucusIf more than one State organization is certified in a State (or in a unit referred to in section 2904(1) of this title), such organizations may caucus to determine any of such State’s (or such unit’s) nominations under section 2904(1) of this title.

7 U.S.C. § 2906 Requirement of referendum

(a) Continuation or termination of orderFor the purpose of determining whether the initial order shall be continued, not later than 22 months after the issuance of the order (or any earlier date recommended by the Board), the Secretary shall conduct a referendum among persons who have been producers or importers during a representative period, as determined by the Secretary. The order shall be continued only if the Secretary determines that it has been approved by not less than a majority of the producers voting in the referendum who, during a representative period as determined by the Secretary, have been engaged in the production of cattle. If continuation of the order is not approved by a majority of those voting in the referendum, the Secretary shall terminate collection of assessments under the order within six months after the Secretary determines that continuation of the order is not favored by a majority voting in the referendum and shall terminate the order in an orderly manner as soon as practicable after such determination. (b) Additional referendum to determine suspension or termination of orderAfter the initial referendum, the Secretary may conduct a referendum on the request of a representative group comprising 10 per centum or more of the number of cattle producers to determine whether cattle producers favor the termination or suspension of the order. The Secretary shall suspend or terminate collection of assessments under the order within six months after the Secretary determines that suspension or termination of the order is favored by a majority of the producers voting in the referendum who, during a representative period as determined by the Secretary, have been engaged in the production of cattle and shall terminate or suspend the order in an orderly manner as soon as practicable after such determination. (c) Reimbursement for cost of referendum; time and place of referendum; certification by producers; absentee mail ballotThe Department shall be reimbursed from assessments collected by the Board for any expenses incurred by the Department in connection with conducting any referendum under this section, except for the salaries of Government employees. Any referendum conducted under this section shall be conducted on a date established by the Secretary, whereby producers shall certify that they were engaged in the production of cattle during the representative period and, on the same day, shall be provided an opportunity to vote in the referendum. Each referendum shall be conducted at county extension offices, and there shall be provision for an absentee mail ballot on request.

7 U.S.C. § 2907 Refunds

(a) Establishment of escrow accountDuring the period prior to the approval of the continuation of an order pursuant to the referendum required under section 2906(a) of this title, subject to subsection (f), the Board shall—(1) establish an escrow account to be used for assessment refunds; (2) place funds in such account in accordance with subsection (b); and (3) refund assessments to persons in accordance with this section. (b) Funding escrow accountSubject to subsection (f), the Board shall place in such account, from assessments collected under section 2906 of this title during the period referred to in subsection (a), an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying—(1) the total amount of assessments collected under section 2906 of this title during such period; by (2) the greater of—(A) the average rate of assessment refunds provided to producers under State beef promotion, research, and consumer information programs financed through producer assessments, as determined by the Board; or (B) 15 percent. (c) Demand and receipt of one-time refundSubject to subsections (d), (e), and (f) and notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter,11 See References in Text note below. any person shall have the right to demand and receive from the Board a one-time refund of all assessments collected under section 2906 of this title from such person during the period referred to in subsection (a) if such person—(1) is responsible for paying such assessment; and (2) does not support the program established under this chapter. (d) Form and time period for demand for one-time refundSuch demand shall be made in accordance with regulations, on a form, and within a time period prescribed by the Board. (e) Submission of proof for one-time refundSuch refund shall be made on submission of proof satisfactory to the Board that the producer, person, or importer—(1) paid the assessment for which refund is sought; and (2) did not collect such assessment from another producer, person, or importer. (f) Insufficiency of funds in escrow account; proration of funds among eligible persons(1) If the amount in the escrow account required to be established by subsection (a) is not sufficient to refund the total amount of assessments demanded by all eligible persons under this section and the continuation of an order is approved pursuant to the referendum required under section 2906(a) 1 of this title, the Board shall—(A) continue to place in such account, from assessments collected under section 2904 of this title, the amount required under subsection (b), until such time as the Board is able to comply with subparagraph (B); and (B) provide to all eligible persons the total amount of assessments demanded by all eligible producers. (2) If the amount in the escrow account required to be established by subsection (a) is not sufficient to refund the total amount of assessments demanded by all eligible persons under this section and the continuation of an order is not approved pursuant to the referendum required under section 2906(a) of this title, the Board shall prorate the amount of such refunds among all eligible persons who demand such refund.

7 U.S.C. § 2908 Enforcement

(a) Restraining order; civil penaltyIf the Secretary believes that the administration and enforcement of this chapter or an order would be adequately served by such procedure, following an opportunity for an administrative hearing on the record, the Secretary may—(1) issue an order to restrain or prevent a person from violating an order; and (2) assess a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 for violation of such order. (b) Jurisdiction of district courtThe district courts of the United States are vested with jurisdiction specifically to enforce, and to prevent and restrain a person from violating, an order or regulation made or issued under this chapter. (c) Civil action to be referred to Attorney GeneralA civil action authorized to be brought under this section shall be referred to the Attorney General for appropriate action.

7 U.S.C. § 2909 Investigations by Secretary; oaths and affirmations; subpenas; judicial enforcement; contempt proceedings; service of process

The Secretary may make such investigations as the Secretary deems necessary for the effective administration of this chapter or to determine whether any person subject to this chapter has engaged or is about to engage in any act that constitutes or will constitute a violation of this chapter, the order, or any rule or regulation issued under this chapter. For the purpose of such investigation, the Secretary may administer oaths and affirmations, subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance, take evidence, and require the production of any records that are relevant to the inquiry. The attendance of witnesses and the production of records may be required from any place in the United States. In case of contumacy by, or refusal to obey a subpoena to, any person, the Secretary may invoke the aid of any court of the United States within the jurisdiction of which such investigation or proceeding is carried on, or where such person resides or carries on business, in requiring the attendance and testimony of the person and the production of records. The court may issue an order requiring such person to appear before the Secretary to produce records or to give testimony regarding the matter under investigation. Any failure to obey such order of the court may be punished by such court as a contempt thereof. Process in any such case may be served in the judicial district in which such person is an inhabitant or wherever such person may be found.

7 U.S.C. § 2910 Preemption of other Federal and State programs; applicability of provisions to amendments to orders

(a) Nothing in this chapter may be construed to preempt or supersede any other program relating to beef promotion organized and operated under the laws of the United States or any State. (b) The provisions of this chapter applicable to the order shall be applicable to amendments to the order.

7 U.S.C. § 2911 Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this chapter. Sums appropriated to carry out this chapter shall not be available for payment of the expenses or expenditures of the Board or the Committee in administering any provisions of the order issued under section 2903(b) of this title.