DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Christmas Tree Marketing and Research Program [29 Pa.B. 3636] Under the applicable provisions of the Agricultural Commodities Marketing Act, a referendum was held from June 1 to June 15, 1999, to determine if the producers affected by the proposed Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Marketing and Research Program desired to have the Program established. To pass, a majority of eligible producers voting, both by number of producers and by the number of trees cut and sold during the previous marketing season, had to vote in favor of the Program's establishment. An impartial Teller Committee met on June 22, 1999, to count the ballots. The following results were submitted by the Teller Committee: a total of 81 eligible votes were cast, with 58 producers voting in favor of and 23 producers voting against the establishment of the program by number of producers. There were 347,885 trees eligible for inclusion in the referendum count. Producers voted 268,066 trees in favor of and 79,819 trees against the establishment of the program by volume of trees cut and sold during the previous marketing season. The eligible votes favoring establishment of the Program by number of producers represented 72% of the eligible votes and those against establishment of the program represented 28% of the eligible votes. The eligible votes favoring establishment of the Program by number of trees cut and sold during the previous marketing season represented 77% of the eligible votes and those against establishment of the Program by number of trees cut and sold during the previous marketing season represented 23% of the eligible votes by number of trees. There were 20 spoiled or ineligible ballots. Because a majority of the votes were cast in favor of the Program, the Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Marketing and Research Program shall become effective 21 days from publication of this notice in accordance with section 4509 of the Agricultural Commodities Marketing Act.
SAMUEL E. HAYES, Jr.
Secretary[Pa.B. Doc. No. 99-1093. Filed for public inspection July 9, 1999, 9:00 a.m.]
