Proposed Rule Published on Ewe Retention

September 10, 2004 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture?s Farm Service Agency (FSA) on Tuesday published the proposed rules for the 2004 $18 million Ewe Lamb Replacement and Retention Payment Program in the Federal Register. The purpose of the program is to provide benefits to sheep and lamb operations in an effort to strengthen the industry and increase the size of the breeding flock in the United States.

The base period for eligibility of the program is from Aug. 1, 2003 through July 31, 2004. The guidelines for the 2004 program will be the same as those of the previous program.

Regulations allow for a 30-day comment period on the rule with an additional 30-day window for comments pertaining to the information being requested from producers in the application process. Comments must be received on or before Oct. 7, 2004. Information collection comments must be received on or before Nov. 8, 2004.

?The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) and state affiliates have been working closely with FSA and the USDA?s Agricultural Marketing Service to get this rule published. We encourage comments to recommend prompt implementation and sign-up for producers,? stated ASI Executive Director Peter Orwick. ?According to the proposed rule, USDA will be announcing the sign-up period this fall.?

ASI will be submitting comments to the rule and will encourage the department to move forward as quickly as possible with the application process.

To review the proposed rule, log on to: Proposed Rule on the World Wide Web.

Staff contact: Peter Orwick, ext. 33

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