Tobacco inspection: Growers' referendum results,

[Federal Register: June 1, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 104)]

[Notices]

[Page 29692]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr01jn98-52]

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. TB-97-17]

Tobacco Inspection; Growers' Referendum Results

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of referendum results.

SUMMARY: This document announces the results of the referendum on the merger of Tabor City-Whiteville, North Carolina, and Loris, South Carolina, flue-cured tobacco markets. A mail referendum was conducted during the period of April 27-May 1, 1998, among tobacco growers who sold tobacco on these markets in 1997. A required two-thirds majority of voters did not favor merging these markets into a single consolidated market.

EFFECTIVE DATE: June 2, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William O. Coats, Associate Deputy Administrator, Tobacco Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, United States Department of Agriculture, PO Box 96456, Washington, DC 20090- 6456; telephone number (202) 205-0508.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A notice was published in the April 20, 1998, issue of the Federal Register (63 FR 19414) announcing that a referendum would be conducted among active flue-cured producers who sold tobacco on either Tabor City-Whiteville or Loris during the 1997 season to ascertain if such producers favored the consolidation.

The notice of referendum announced the determination by the Secretary that the consolidated market of Tabor City-Whiteville, North Carolina, and Loris, South Carolina, would be designated as a flue- cured tobacco auction market and receive mandatory Federal grading of tobacco sold at auction for the 1998 and succeeding seasons, subject to the results of the referendum. The determination was based on the evidence and arguments presented at a public hearing held in Tabor City, North Carolina, on November 5, 1997, pursuant to applicable provisions of the regulations issued under the Tobacco Inspection Act, as amended. The referendum was held in accordance with the provisions of the Tobacco Inspection Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 511d) and the regulations set forth in 7 CFR 29.74.

Ballots for the April 27-May 1, 1998, referendum were mailed to 1,470 producers. Approval required votes in favor of the proposal by two-thirds of the eligible voters who cast valid ballots. The Department received a total of 375 responses: 89 eligible producers voted in favor of the consolidation; 189 eligible producers voted against the consolidation; and 97 ballots were determined to be invalid.

Dated: May 26, 1998. Enrique E. Figueroa, Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.

[FR Doc. 98-14424Filed5-29-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-02-U