---
kind: "section"
citation: "7 U.S.C. § 4508"
title: "7"
title_heading: "Agriculture"
number: "4508"
heading: "Cooperative association representation"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/7/4508"
units:
  - "Chapter 76 — Dairy Research and Promotion"
  - "Subchapter I — Dairy Promotion Program"
---

# §4508. Cooperative association representation


Whenever, under the provisions of this subchapter, the [Secretary](/usc/7/4502.md?p=c) is required to determine the approval or disapproval of [producers](/usc/7/4502.md?p=h), the [Secretary](/usc/7/4502.md?p=c) shall consider the approval or disapproval by any cooperative association of [producers](/usc/7/4502.md?p=h), engaged in a bona fide manner in marketing [milk](/usc/7/4502.md?p=d) or the products thereof, as the approval or disapproval of the [producers](/usc/7/4502.md?p=h) who are members of or under contract with such cooperative association of [producers](/usc/7/4502.md?p=h). If a cooperative association of [producers](/usc/7/4502.md?p=h) elects to vote on behalf of its members, such cooperative association shall provide each [producer](/usc/7/4502.md?p=h), on whose behalf the cooperative association is expressing approval or disapproval, a description of the question presented in the referendum together with a statement of the manner in which the cooperative association intends to cast its vote on behalf of the membership. Such information shall inform the [producer](/usc/7/4502.md?p=h) of procedures to follow to cast an individual ballot should the [producer](/usc/7/4502.md?p=h) so choose within the period of time established by the [Secretary](/usc/7/4502.md?p=c) for casting ballots. Such notification shall be made at least thirty days prior to the referendum and shall include an official ballot. The ballots shall be tabulated by the [Secretary](/usc/7/4502.md?p=c) and the vote of the cooperative association shall be adjusted to reflect such individual votes.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 98–180, title I, § 117, Nov. 29, 1983, 97 Stat. 1141.)