Lamb Marketing Order Upheld

WASHINGTON - Apr 2/05 - SNS -- Producers in the United States voted in favor of continuing the Lamb Promotion, Research, and Information Order, reports the USDA.

Of the 3,490 valid ballots cast in the January 31 to February 28 referendum, 2,807, or 80%, favored the program; while 683, or 20% opposed. Additionally, of those persons who cast valid ballots in the referendum, those who favored the continuing of the program accounted for 84% of the total production voted, and those opposed accounted for 16% of the total production voted.

For the program to continue, it must have been approved by at least a majority of those persons voting for approval who were engaged in the production, feeding or slaughter of lambs during calendar year 2004 and who also represent a majority of the volume of lambs produced, fed or slaughtered.

The goal of the program is to strengthen the position of, and to develop and expand the markets for, ovine animals and ovine products. Under the program, producers, seedstock producers (breeders), feeders and exporters are required to pay an assessment of one-half cent ($.005) per pound when live ovine animals are sold. The first handler, primarily packers, will pay an additional 30 cents per head on ovine animals purchased for slaughter. Importers are not assessed.