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USDA GIVES CONDITIONAL APPROVAL FOR U.S. FARMERS & RANCHERS ALLIANCE FUNDING
Dec. 2, 2010
Agri-Pulse reports:
Commodity Research and Promotion Boards received conditional approval this week from USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) to participate in the newly-formed U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA).
Boards that administer the beef, egg, pork and soybean checkoff programs are among the 23 charter members of the USFRA, which plans to fund 12 programs that bolster the public image of U.S. agriculture and enhance public trust in the food supply.
After reviewing documentation concerning the establishment and operation of the alliance, AMS determined the boards may fund a specific USFRA activity or project, provided the activity or project is consistent with the specific board's authorizing legislation and implementing regulation, as well as USDA policy. Board funding of a USFRA activity or project will also require AMS approval of the initiative.
"AMS will not approve the payment of untargeted Checkoff funds to the USFRA or the payment of Checkoff funds for general membership in the USFRA," the agency said in a guidance document to the R&P boards obtained by Agri-Pulse.
Affiliate members of the USFRA agreed to kick in $5,000 apiece, while ten participating boards -- including the Cattlemen's Beef Board, National Pork Board and United Soybean Board -- each put down $50,000.
AMS also said if the funding of approved activities or projects provides an R&P board membership or a leadership role in the USFRA, the R&P representative "must recuse themselves from discussions related to influencing government policy."
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