AMS No. 149-13

Gwen Sparks, (202) 260-8210

gwen.sparks@ams.usda.gov

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12, 2013 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking comments on an industry proposal for a new national Hardwood Lumber and Hardwood Plywood Promotion, Research and Information Order.

Research and Promotion programs are funded by industry assessments and allow commodity groups to conduct promotion, market research and new product development for the benefit of a specific industry. Under this proposal, a 28-member board would administer the program and would be responsible for carrying out activities that help maintain and expand markets for hardwood lumber and hardwood plywood. A referendum will be held among eligible hardwood lumber manufacturers and hardwood plywood manufacturers prior to any program going into effect.

Research and Promotion Programs are industry-funded, authorized by Congress and date back to 1966. Today, there are 20 research and promotion boards. They empower agricultural industries, including the forest products industry, by establishing a framework for them to pool resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets, and conduct important research and promotion activities. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) provides oversight, ensuring fiscal responsibility, program efficiency and fair treatment of participating stakeholders. Visit www.ams.usda.gov/FVPromotion to learn more about research and promotion programs.

Information on the proposed program will be published in the Nov. 13, 2013, Federal Register. The rule will provide a 60-day comment period. Comments must be received by Jan. 13, 2014, and may be mailed to the Promotion and Economics Division, FVP, AMS, USDA, Stop 0244, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 1406, Washington, DC 20250-0244. Comments can also be submitted to online at www.regulations.gov.

Copies of the proposed rule and any comments that are received may be requested from the same address or viewed at www.regulations.gov.

#

Get the latest Agricultural Marketing Service news at www.ams.usda.gov/news or follow us on Twitter @USDA_AMS. You can also read about us on the USDA blog.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).