AMS No. 087-13

Sam Jones-Ellard (202) 660-2268

Samuel.Jones@ams.usda.gov

WASHINGTON, May 13, 2013 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced four appointments to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board. Each appointee will serve a 3-year term.

“These appointees represent a cross section of the beef industry and I am confident that beef producers and importers of cattle, beef and beef products will be well served by them," said Vilsack.

Newly appointed members representing cattle producers are: Larry D. Echols, Mid-Atlantic, Willem Bylsma, Southwest, and Larry E. Cunningham, Tennessee.

The newly appointed member representing importers is Peter F. Maloney.

Research and promotion programs are industry-funded, authorized by Congress, and date back to 1966, when Congress passed the Cotton Research and Promotion Act. Since then, Congress has authorized the establishment of 20 research and promotion boards. They empower farmers and ranchers to leverage their own resources to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets, and conduct important research and promotion activities. AMS provides oversight, paid for by industry assessments, which ensures fiscal responsibility, program efficiency and fair treatment of participating stakeholders.

The 103-member board is authorized by the Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985. The Secretary selects the appointees nominated by beef, veal, dairy and importers certified organizations.

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