§3413 Certification of Organizations

Summary

The Secretary must approve any group that wants to represent wheat farmers, processors, makers of wheat products, or consumers when asking for a government order or taking part in nominations. To get approved, the group must give a factual report with details the Secretary asks for. That report should say where its members are, how many and what kind they are (and for non-consumer groups, what share of producers/processors/manufacturers they represent), show the group is stable and likely to last, list where its money comes from, describe what it does, and show it can and will work toward the law’s goals. The Secretary can use other information too. The Secretary’s decision is final. For non-consumer groups, the main question is whether most members are producers, processors, or manufacturers who handle a substantial volume of wheat and whether the group’s main interest is in producing, processing, or making wheat products and their nutrition. For consumer groups, the main questions are whether the group’s main purpose is to promote consumer interests, research, or education; whether it has a broad, active membership; and whether it shows commitment to the law’s goals.