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FRANKFORT,
Ky. — The Kentucky Cattlemen's Association has applied
with the Kentucky State Board of Agriculture for a statewide
referendum asking beef producers to approve an increase
in the state checkoff assessment that would be collected
if the national beef promotion program is discontinued.
The
cattlemen's association proposes increasing the mandatory
assessment for the Kentucky program from 25 cents to
$1 per head. The increase would take effect at the moment
the federal program ends.
If
the Kentucky State Board of Agriculture approves the
application, Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer
will certify the board's vote and set a date for the
referendum.
The
higher fee would be collected and the Kentucky promotion
program would be operated in the same manner that it
is now, the application states. The Kentucky Cattlemen's
Association would continue to administer the program.
Funds would be used for beef promotion, consumer information,
producer communication, industry information and research,
according to the application.
The
United States Supreme Court will review whether the
national checkoff is constitutional, possibly as early
as this fall. A federal appeals court has ruled that
beef producers do not have to pay the checkoff fee.
Tennessee
producers approved a proposal last month to launch a
state promotion program if the federal program is terminated.
The Ohio Cattlemen's Association is seeking a petition
for a statewide referendum before the end of the year
that would increase that state's checkoff fee from 50
cents to $1 per head if the federal program ends.
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Click
here
to view the application.
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