7 USC § 4812 - Suspension and termination of orders

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t7/s4812"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "7 USC § 4812 - Suspension and termination of orders"
title_number: 7
title_name: "AGRICULTURE"
section_number: "4812"
section_name: "Suspension and termination of orders"
chapter_number: 79
chapter_name: "PORK PROMOTION, RESEARCH, AND CONSUMER INFORMATION"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 99–198, title XVI, § 1623, Dec. 23, 1985, 99 Stat. 1618.)"
---


# § 4812. Suspension and termination of orders

**(a)** **Authority of Secretary** section 4811(a) of this title

If after the initial referendum provided for in  the Secretary determines that an order, or a provision of the order, obstructs or does not tend to effectuate the declared policy of this chapter, the Secretary shall terminate or suspend the operation of such order or provision.

**(b)** **Referendum to terminate or suspend; eligible voters; requirements for approval; termination or suspension date; one referendum within 2-year period**

**(1)**

**(A)** Except as provided in paragraph (2), after the initial referendum provided for in section 4811(a) of this title, on the request of a number of persons equal to at least 15 percent of persons who have been producers and importers during a representative period, as determined by the Secretary, the Secretary shall conduct a referendum to determine whether the producers and importers favor the termination or suspension of the order.

**(B)** The Secretary shall—

**(i)** suspend or terminate collection of assessments under the order not later than 6 months after the date the Secretary determines that suspension or termination of the order is favored by a majority of the producers and importers voting in the referendum; and

**(ii)** terminate the order in an orderly manner as soon as practicable after the date of such determination.

**(2)** Except with respect to a referendum required to be conducted under section 4811 of this title, the Secretary shall not be required by paragraph (1) to conduct more than one referendum under this chapter in a 2-year period.

**(c)** **Termination or suspension not to be considered an order** The termination or suspension of an order, or a provision of an order, shall not be considered an order within the meaning of this chapter.

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**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 99–198, title XVI, § 1623, Dec. 23, 1985, 99 Stat. 1618.)

## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective , see , set out as a note under .