§4808 National Pork Board

Summary

Creates a 15-member National Pork Board. The Secretary appoints members from nominations under section 4806(g). Most members must be producers from at least 12 States, and some may be importers. Each member serves a 3-year term and may not serve more than two back-to-back 3-year terms. First appointments are staggered so some serve 1, 2, or 3 years. A member stays on until a successor is named. The Board picks its President by majority vote. A majority of members is needed for a meeting to count (a quorum), and a motion or election is decided by a majority of votes cast when a quorum is present. Members are not paid a salary but are reimbursed for reasonable expenses from assessments collected under section 4809. The Board must create and send promotion, research, and consumer information plans and projects to the Secretary for approval. It runs the program, makes needed rules, handles complaints and reports them to the Secretary, suggests changes to the order, and hires staff. Each year the Board must submit a budget showing expected costs, including promotion projects and funds for State associations under section 4809(c)(1). No plan, project, or budget can start without the Secretary’s OK. With the Secretary’s approval, the Board may contract for work and pay for it with assessment funds. Contracts must include a plan and budget, take effect only after the Secretary approves them, and require contractors to keep records and give regular activity and spending reports and any other reports the Board or Secretary asks for.