United States Standards for Wheat, 8233-8236 [05-3140]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 33 / Friday, February 18, 2005 / Rules and Regulations
must be cleaned by removing any soil
and plant debris that may be present.
(i) All conveyances and mechanized
harvesting equipment used for storing
and handling wheat, durum wheat, or
triticale that tested positive for Karnal
bunt based on bunted kernels.
(ii) All grain storage and handling
equipment used to store or handle seed
that has tested spore positive or grain
that has tested bunted-kernel positive.
(iii) All seed-conditioning equipment
used to store or handle seed that has
tested spore-positive.
(2) Articles listed in paragraphs
(d)(1)(i) and (d)(1)(ii) of this section will
require disinfection in addition to
cleaning prior to entry into the United
States if an inspector or an official of the
plant protection organization of the
country of origin determines that
disinfection is necessary to prevent the
spread of Karnal bunt. Disinfection is
required for all seed conditioning
equipment covered under paragraph
(d)(1)(iii) prior to entry into the United
States.
(3) Items that require disinfection
prior to entry into the United States
must be disinfected by one of the
methods specified in paragraphs
(d)(3)(i) through (d)(3)(iii) of this
section, unless a particular treatment is
designated by an inspector or by an
official of the plant protection
organization of the country of origin:
(i) Wetting all surfaces to the point of
runoff with a 1.5 percent sodium
hypochlorite solution and letting stand
for 15 minutes, then thoroughly
washing down all surfaces after 15
minutes to minimize corrosion;
(ii) Applying steam to all surfaces
until the point of runoff, and so that a
temperature of 170 °F is reached at the
point of contact; or
(iii) Cleaning with a solution of hot
water and detergent, applied under
pressure of at least 30 pounds per
square inch, at a minimum temperature
of 170 °F.
(Approved by the Office of Management and
Budget under control number 0579–0240.)
Done in Washington, DC, this 14th day of
February 2005.
Elizabeth E. Gaston,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 05–3141 Filed 2–17–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–34–P
VerDate jul<14>2003
15:38 Feb 17, 2005
Jkt 205001
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Grain Inspection, Packers and
Stockyards Administration
7 CFR Parts 810
RIN 580–AA86
United States Standards for Wheat
AGENCY: Grain Inspection, Packers and
Stockyards Administration, USDA.
ACTION: Final rule.
SUMMARY: The Grain Inspection, Packers
and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA)
is revising the United States Standards
for Wheat. GIPSA is amending the grain
standards to change the definition of
contrasting classes in Hard Red Winter
wheat and Hard Red Spring wheat such
that Hard White wheat is not a
contrasting class but is considered as
wheat of other classes. GIPSA also is
amending the grain standards by adding
the sample size used to determine
sample grade factors, because the
standards should transmit this
information. These actions are necessary
to ensure market-relevant standards and
grades and facilitate the marketing of
grain.
EFFECTIVE DATE: May 1, 2006.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Patrick McCluskey at GIPSA, USDA,
STOP 3604, 1400 Independence
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250–
3604; Telephone (202) 720–4684; faxed
to (202) 720–7883.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Executive Order 12866
The Department of Agriculture is
issuing this rule in conformance with
Executive Order 12866.
Executive Order 12988
Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice
Reform, instructs each executive agency
to adhere to certain requirements in the
development of new and revised
regulations in order to avoid unduly
burdening the court system. The final
rule was reviewed under this Executive
Order and no additional related
information has been obtained since
then. This final rule is not intended to
have a retroactive effect. The United
States Grain Standards Act provides in
Section 87g that no State or subdivision
may require or impose any requirements
or restrictions concerning the
inspection, weighing, or description of
grain under the Act. Otherwise, this
final rule will not preempt any State or
local laws, regulations, or policies,
unless they present any irreconcilable
conflict with this rule. There are no
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
8233
administrative procedures which must
be exhausted prior to any judicial
challenge to the provisions of this final
rule.
Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification
The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
(5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) requires agencies
to consider the economic impact of each
rule on small entities. GIPSA has
determined that this final rule will not
have a significant economic impact on
a substantial number of small entities,
as defined in the Regulatory Flexibility
Act. Under the provisions of the United
States Grain Standards Act, grain
exported from the United States must be
officially inspected and weighed.
Mandatory inspection and weighing
services are provided by GIPSA at 33
export facilities. All of these facilities
are owned by multi-national
corporations, large cooperatives, or
public entities that do not meet the
requirements for small entities
established by the Small Business
Administration. GIPSA is amending the
grain standards to change the definition
of contrasting classes in Hard Red
Winter wheat and Hard Red Spring
wheat such that Hard White wheat is
not a contrasting class but is considered
as wheat of other classes. GIPSA also is
amending the grain standards by adding
the sample size used to determine
sample grade factors, because the
standards should transmit this
information. The two changes made to
the wheat standards in this final rule are
needed to ensure market-relevant
standards and grades. Further, the
regulations are applied equally to all
entities.
The U.S. wheat industry, including
producers (approximately 240,000),
handlers (approximately 6,800 domestic
elevators), traders (approximately 200
active wheat futures traders), processors
(approximately 184 flour mills),
merchandisers, and exporters, are the
primary users of the U.S. Standards for
Wheat and utilize the official standards
as a common trading language to market
wheat. We assume that some of the
entities may be small. Further, the
United States Grain Standards Act
(USGSA) (7 U.S.C. 87f–1) requires the
registration of all persons engaged in the
business of buying grain for sale in
foreign commerce. In addition, those
individuals who handle, weigh, or
transport grain for sale in foreign
commerce must also register. The
USGSA regulations (7 CFR 800.30)
define a foreign commerce grain
business as persons who regularly
engage in buying for sale, handling,
weighing, or transporting grain totaling
15,000 metric tons or more during the
E:\FR\FM\18FER1.SGM
18FER1
8234
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 33 / Friday, February 18, 2005 / Rules and Regulations
preceding or current calendar year. At
present, there are 90 registrants who
account for practically 100 percent of
U.S. wheat exports, which for fiscal year
(FY) 2002 totaled approximately
24,073,138 metric tons (MT). While
most of the 90 registrants are large
businesses, we assume that some may
be small.
Paperwork Reduction Act
Pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995, the existing information
collection requirements are approved
under OMB Number 0580–0013. No
additional collection or recordkeeping
requirements are imposed on the public
by this final rule. Accordingly, OMB
clearance is not required by section
350(h) of the Paperwork Reduction Act,
44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., or OMB’s
implementing regulation at 5 CFR part
1320.
GIPSA is committed to compliance
with the Government Paperwork
Elimination Act, which requires
Government agencies, in general, to
provide the public the option of
submitting information or transacting
business electronically to the maximum
extent possible.
Background
GIPSA established the class Hard
White wheat on May 1, 1990. In the
Final Rule (54 FR 48735), GIPSA stated
‘‘that classification by varietal kernel
characteristics rather than vitreousness
of the kernel is practicable at this time
for HWW (sic) and SWW (sic) since only
a few hard endosperm white * * *
varieties are being produced. GIPSA
recognizes that if more hard endosperm
varieties are released into the
marketplace in the future, the
classification system may become less
practical.’’ GIPSA further stated ‘‘* * *
if clear quality or market distinctions
develop * * * it would consider
subclasses at a future date’’. At that
time, a minimum visual color line was
established, which was subsequently
replaced with a new color line in 1999
(Program Bulletin 99–8). In 2001,
environmental conditions caused a
darker visual appearance in some
varieties of hard white, resulting in a
GIPSA decision to suspend the color
line for classification purposes (Program
Notice 01–06). Under Program Notice
01–06, ‘‘All Hard White wheat varieties
are considered Hard White wheat
regardless of color.’’
On June 4, 2003, GIPSA proposed in
the Federal Register, (68 FR 33408) to
amend the standards for wheat to create
subclasses in the class hard white.
GIPSA proposed the subclass names of
Hard White wheat and Hard Amber
VerDate jul<14>2003
15:38 Feb 17, 2005
Jkt 205001
White wheat, for wheat meeting and
exceeding (darker than) the interpretive
color line, respectively. Further, GIPSA
proposed changing the definition of
Contrasting Classes for Hard Red Winter
wheat and Hard Red Spring wheat such
that Hard White wheat is not a
contrasting class in these two red wheat
classes. Further, due to inquiries about
the portion size used to determine
Maximum Count Limits of Other
Material, GIPSA proposed amending the
standard to transmit this information.
Comment Review
GIPSA published the proposed rule in
the Federal Register on June 4, 2003 (68
FR 33408) with a 60-day comment
period ending August 4, 2003. GIPSA
received four comments during the
comment period. One comment was
submitted on behalf of the Hard White
Wheat Working Group and the Hard
White Wheat Advisory Committee (an
aggregated wheat industry group
comprised of wheat boards, committees,
or commissions of the top ten Hard
White wheat producing states; large
grain merchandisers; not for profit
wheat industry groups; and a private
wheat breeding company). One
comment each was received from the
Kansas Wheat Commission, one wheat
producer cooperative, and one
individual wheat producer.
On the basis of the comments
received and other available
information, GIPSA is implementing
two of the proposed changes to the
wheat standards. The following
paragraphs address comments received
regarding the proposed changes.
1. Subclass Designation
GIPSA received four comments (one
aggregated industry comment in support
and three comments in opposition) on
the proposal to establish subclasses. The
aggregated wheat industry comment
supported subclasses. This commenter
did note that the proposal concerning
adding a subclass to the Hard White
wheat class was met with a spirited
discussion, both pro and con. The
commenter (1) supported the
establishment of a subclass within the
Hard White Wheat class; (2)
recommended changing the subclass
names to Bright Hard White Wheat for
all hard white wheat that is equal to or
lighter than the interpretive color line
and Hard White Wheat for all hard
white wheat that is darker than the
interpretive color line, and continue the
use of an interpretive color line and (3)
recommended the use of an objective
test to determine color line rather than
a subjective approach.
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
One comment opposed to
establishment of subclasses in Hard
White wheat was received from the
Kansas Wheat Commission which
represents producers responsible for
production of more than 50 percent of
all Hard White wheat grown in the
United States. The comment stated that
since Hard White wheat is moving in
the marketplace under the current
method of grading, establishing a
subclass would create a perception that
wheat does not meet the established
color line is of lower quality, resulting
in discounts to producers. The
commenter stated that establishing a
subclass would create supply problems
in Hard White wheat and also objected
to the word ‘‘Amber’’ in the subclass
name.
Another opposing commenter felt that
because the color differences are
environmentally induced, and occur
sporadically, grain producers and
marketers would be damaged by
`
subclasses, vis-a-vis not having product
available to sell to the markets they had
worked to develop. Another comment
opposing the proposed rule predicted
‘‘marketing disruption and chaos
resulting in economic loss to American
wheat producers is the inevitable result
whenever Mother Nature gives us a
darker colored crop if these arbitrary
rule changes are allowed to become
law’’.
Taking into account the lack of
consensus among stakeholders, GIPSA
believes that creating subclasses in Hard
White wheat would not be in the best
interest of the industry. There is no
market need at this time. Based on the
comments received and other available
information, GIPSA will not establish
subclasses in Hard White wheat. GIPSA
will, however, maintain the Hard White
wheat color line and, as currently done,
continue to certify, upon request, that
the sample color exceeds or is lighter
than the color line. This provides
additional information about sample
color to satisfy those customers for
whom color is important.
2. Contrasting Classes
GIPSA proposed changing the
definition of Contrasting Classes for
Hard Red Winter wheat and Hard Red
Spring wheat such that Hard White
wheat is not a contrasting class in these
two red wheat classes. One comment
was received from the aggregated
industry group in support of the
proposal. No comment was received
opposing the proposal. Therefore as set
forth in the proposal, GIPSA is
amending the grain standards to change
the definition of contrasting classes in
Hard Red Winter wheat and Hard Red
E:\FR\FM\18FER1.SGM
18FER1
8235
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 33 / Friday, February 18, 2005 / Rules and Regulations
Spring wheat such that Hard White
wheat is not a contrasting class but is
considered as wheat of other classes.
The grade limit will remain unchanged.
For kernel identification, Hard White
wheat kernels would be determined by
visual assessment and would include
the dark colored, amber, white wheat
kernels, per the Grain Inspection
Handbook, Book II, Chapter 13, Section
13.26. In the case where samples
challenge the normal visual inspection
process, the alkali test would be utilized
to determine kernel color (FGIS-Program
Notice 01–07).
3. Sample Size
GIPSA proposed to amend the wheat
standard to specify the amount of wheat
upon which sample grade factor
determinations are made. No comment
was received either supporting or
opposing the proposal. Earlier versions
of the standard contained this
information and GIPSA believes the
standard should transmit this
information. Therefore, as set forth in
the proposal, GIPSA will amend the
wheat standards to include this
information.
Final Action
On the basis of these comments and
other available information, GIPSA has
decided to revise the wheat standards as
proposed with the exception of
establishing subclasses in Hard White
wheat. This final rule is effective on
May 1, 2006, the beginning of the 2006
wheat harvest, and will facilitate
domestic and export marketing of
wheat.
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 810
Export, grain.
n For reasons set out in the preamble, 7
CFR Part 810 is amended as follows:
PART 810—OFFICIAL UNITED STATES
STANDARDS FOR GRAIN
1. The authority citation for Part 810
continues to read as follows:
Authority: Pub. L. 94–582, 90 Stat. 2867,
as amended (7 U.S.C. 71 et. seq.)
2. Section 810.2202 is amended by
revising paragraph (b) (1) to read as
follows:
n
810.2202
Definition of other terms.
*
*
*
*
*
(b) * * *
(1) Durum wheat, Soft White wheat,
and Unclassed wheat in the classes
Hard Red Spring wheat and Hard Red
Winter wheat.
*
*
*
*
*
3. Section 810.2204 is amended by
revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:
n
§ 810.2204
for wheat.
Grades and grade requirements
(a) Grades and grade requirements for
all classes of wheat, except Mixed
wheat.
n
GRADES AND GRADE REQUIREMENTS
Grades U.S. Nos.
Grading factors
1
2
3
4
5
58.0
60.0
57.0
58.0
55.0
56.0
53.0
54.0
50.0
51.0
Defects:
Damaged kernels.
Heat (part of total) .............................................................................................................
0.2
0.2
0.5
1.0
3.0
Total ...................................................................................................................................
2.0
4.0
7.0
10.0
15.0
Foreign material ........................................................................................................................
Shrunken and broken kernels ..................................................................................................
0.4
3.0
0.7
5.0
1.3
8.0
3.0
12.0
5.0
20.0
Total 1 .................................................................................................................................
3.0
5.0
8.0
12.0
20.0
Wheat of other classes: 2.
Contrasting classes ..................................................................................................................
1.0
2.0
3.0
10.0
10.0
.................................................................................................................................
3.0
5.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
Stones .......................................................................................................................................
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
Other material in one kilogram:
Animal filth ................................................................................................................................
Castor beans ............................................................................................................................
Crotalaria seeds ........................................................................................................................
Glass .........................................................................................................................................
Stones .......................................................................................................................................
Unknown foreign substances ...................................................................................................
1
1
2
0
3
3
1
1
2
0
3
3
1
1
2
0
3
3
1
1
2
0
3
3
1
1
2
0
3
3
Total 4 .................................................................................................................................
4
4
4
4
4
Insect-damaged kernels in 100 grams ............................................................................................
31
31
31
31
31
Minimum pound limits of:
Test weight per bushel:
Hard Red Spring wheat or White Club wheat ..........................................................................
All other classes and subclasses .............................................................................................
Maximum percent limits of:
Total 3
Maximum count limits of:
U.S. Sample grade is Wheat that:
VerDate jul<14>2003
17:26 Feb 17, 2005
Jkt 205001
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
E:\FR\FM\18FER1.SGM
18FER1
8236
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 33 / Friday, February 18, 2005 / Rules and Regulations
GRADES AND GRADE REQUIREMENTS—Continued
Grades U.S. Nos.
Grading factors
1
2
3
4
5
(a) Does not meet the requirements for U.S. Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5; or
(b) Has a musty, sour, or commercially objectionable foreign odor (except smut or garlic odor); or
(c) Is heating or of distinctly low quality.
1 Includes
damaged kernels (total), foreign material, shrunken and broken kernels.
wheat of any grade may contain not more than 10.0 percent of wheat of other classes.
contrasting classes.
4 Includes any combination of animal filth, castor beans, crotalaria seeds, glass, stones, or unknown foreign substance.
2 Unclassed
3 Includes
*
*
*
*
*
Dated: February 15, 2005.
David R. Shipman,
Deputy Administrator, Grain Inspection,
Packers and Stockyards Administration.
[FR Doc. 05–3140 Filed 2–17–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–EN–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Parts 13 and 14
Rules of Practice in FAA Civil Penalty
Actions
AGENCY: Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; technical
amendment.
SUMMARY: The FAA is amending the
procedural regulations governing the
assessment of civil penalties against
persons other than individuals acting as
pilots, flight engineers, mechanics or
repairmen. The rules establish a clear
separation of functions between those
agency employees who prosecute civil
penalty actions and those who advise
the Administrator, acting as FAA
decisionmaker, about appeals of
decisions by Department of
Transportation (DOT) administrative
law judges (ALJs). Recent organizational
changes in the Office of the Chief
Counsel necessitate updating these
regulations so they accurately reflect the
Office’s current structure and division
of functions. We are also amending the
rules to provide the FAA Civil Penalty
Hearing Docket’s new address, new
instructions on filing of documents, and
information about the availability of
documents and FAA decisions via the
Internet. We are amending the
procedural rule governing appeals from
initial decisions regarding applications
for fees under the Equal Access to
Justice Act (EAJA) to reinsert language
that was inadvertently omitted during a
previous revision.
VerDate jul<14>2003
15:38 Feb 17, 2005
Jkt 205001
DATES: This rule is effective on February
18, 2005.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Vicki Leemon, Office of the Chief
Counsel, Adjudication Branch, 800
Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20591; telephone 202/
385–8227.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The Administrator may impose a civil
penalty against a person other than an
individual acting as a pilot, flight
engineer, mechanic, or repairman, after
notice and an opportunity for a hearing
on the record, for violations cited in 49
U.S.C. 46301(d)(2) or 47531. 49 U.S.C.
46301(d)(7)(A) and 47531. These
violations, in general, involve aviation
safety issues. Also, under 49 U.S.C.
5123 and 49 CFR 1.47(k), the
Administrator may, after notice and an
opportunity for a hearing, assess a civil
penalty against any person who
knowingly violates the Federal
hazardous materials transportation law,
49 U.S.C. chapter 51, or any of its
implementing regulations.
The rules governing proceedings in
these civil penalty cases are set forth in
14 CFR 13.16 and 14 CFR part 13,
subpart G. Briefly, under these rules,
these proceedings are conducted ‘‘inhouse’’ as follows: (1) An ‘‘agency
attorney’’ prosecutes a civil penalty case
(14 CFR 13.203(a)); (2) a DOT ALJ
conducts the hearing and issues an
initial decision (14 CFR 13.205); and (3)
the Administrator, acting as the FAA
decisionmaker, issues a decision
resolving any appeal from an initial
decision (14 CFR 13.233).
To ensure that this process operates
fairly and in accordance with the
Administrative Procedure Act (APA), 5
U.S.C. 554(d), the FAA has issued rules
requiring a separation of the functions
performed by (1) ‘‘agency attorneys,’’
who prosecute civil penalty actions, and
(2) attorneys who advise the
Administrator on appeals from initial
decisions. Separating these functions
insulates the Administrator from any
advice or influence by an FAA
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
employee engaged in the investigation
or prosecution of civil penalty actions.
It also insulates the prosecutors from
possible influence by the advisers to the
Administrator on appeals.
Changes in Position Titles in the
Separation of Functions Rules
On March 3, 2004, the FAA published
Notice 1100.290, announcing the
creation of two Deputy Chief Counsel
positions: the Deputy Chief Counsel for
Policy and Adjudication, and the
Deputy Chief Counsel for Operations.
As a result, it s no longer accurate to
refer only to the ‘‘Deputy Chief
Counsel’’ in the rules that provide for
the separation of functions in the Chief
Counsel’s Office, 14 CFR 13.202
(Definition of agency attorney) and
13.203.
To describe accurately the current
division of functions within the Chief
Counsel’s Office, we are revising the
rules to add: (1) The Deputy Chief
Counsel for Operations to the list of
attorneys who prosecute civil penalty
actions as specified in 14 CFR 13.202’s
definition of ‘‘agency attorney,’’ and (2)
the Deputy Chief Counsel for Policy and
Adjudication to 14 CFR 13.203(c)’s list
of lawyers who advise the
Administrator regarding the resolution
of appeals. We are also revising 14 CFR
13.202 to add the Deputy Chief Counsel
for Policy and Adjudication to the list
of attorneys who may not prosecute
civil penalty actions.
Under the current organization of the
Chief Counsel’s Office, the Deputy Chief
Counsel for Policy and Adjudication
supervises the Assistant Chief Counsel
for Regulations. The Assistant Chief
Counsel for Regulations and members of
her staff occasionally provide advice to
agency attorneys, but are otherwise
uninvolved in prosecuting civil penalty
cases. The Deputy Chief Counsel for
Policy and Adjudication does not and
will not supervise the Assistant Chief
Counsel for Regulations or any member
of her staff in connection with providing
advice to an agency attorney engaged in
the prosecution of any civil penalty
case. The Assistant Chief Counsel for
E:\FR\FM\18FER1.SGM
18FER1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 33 (Friday, February 18, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8233-8236]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-3140]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration
7 CFR Parts 810
RIN 580-AA86
United States Standards for Wheat
AGENCY: Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, USDA.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration
(GIPSA) is revising the United States Standards for Wheat. GIPSA is
amending the grain standards to change the definition of contrasting
classes in Hard Red Winter wheat and Hard Red Spring wheat such that
Hard White wheat is not a contrasting class but is considered as wheat
of other classes. GIPSA also is amending the grain standards by adding
the sample size used to determine sample grade factors, because the
standards should transmit this information. These actions are necessary
to ensure market-relevant standards and grades and facilitate the
marketing of grain.
EFFECTIVE DATE: May 1, 2006.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patrick McCluskey at GIPSA, USDA, STOP
3604, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-3604;
Telephone (202) 720-4684; faxed to (202) 720-7883.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Executive Order 12866
The Department of Agriculture is issuing this rule in conformance
with Executive Order 12866.
Executive Order 12988
Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform, instructs each
executive agency to adhere to certain requirements in the development
of new and revised regulations in order to avoid unduly burdening the
court system. The final rule was reviewed under this Executive Order
and no additional related information has been obtained since then.
This final rule is not intended to have a retroactive effect. The
United States Grain Standards Act provides in Section 87g that no State
or subdivision may require or impose any requirements or restrictions
concerning the inspection, weighing, or description of grain under the
Act. Otherwise, this final rule will not preempt any State or local
laws, regulations, or policies, unless they present any irreconcilable
conflict with this rule. There are no administrative procedures which
must be exhausted prior to any judicial challenge to the provisions of
this final rule.
Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification
The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.)
requires agencies to consider the economic impact of each rule on small
entities. GIPSA has determined that this final rule will not have a
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities,
as defined in the Regulatory Flexibility Act. Under the provisions of
the United States Grain Standards Act, grain exported from the United
States must be officially inspected and weighed. Mandatory inspection
and weighing services are provided by GIPSA at 33 export facilities.
All of these facilities are owned by multi-national corporations, large
cooperatives, or public entities that do not meet the requirements for
small entities established by the Small Business Administration. GIPSA
is amending the grain standards to change the definition of contrasting
classes in Hard Red Winter wheat and Hard Red Spring wheat such that
Hard White wheat is not a contrasting class but is considered as wheat
of other classes. GIPSA also is amending the grain standards by adding
the sample size used to determine sample grade factors, because the
standards should transmit this information. The two changes made to the
wheat standards in this final rule are needed to ensure market-relevant
standards and grades. Further, the regulations are applied equally to
all entities.
The U.S. wheat industry, including producers (approximately
240,000), handlers (approximately 6,800 domestic elevators), traders
(approximately 200 active wheat futures traders), processors
(approximately 184 flour mills), merchandisers, and exporters, are the
primary users of the U.S. Standards for Wheat and utilize the official
standards as a common trading language to market wheat. We assume that
some of the entities may be small. Further, the United States Grain
Standards Act (USGSA) (7 U.S.C. 87f-1) requires the registration of all
persons engaged in the business of buying grain for sale in foreign
commerce. In addition, those individuals who handle, weigh, or
transport grain for sale in foreign commerce must also register. The
USGSA regulations (7 CFR 800.30) define a foreign commerce grain
business as persons who regularly engage in buying for sale, handling,
weighing, or transporting grain totaling 15,000 metric tons or more
during the
[[Page 8234]]
preceding or current calendar year. At present, there are 90
registrants who account for practically 100 percent of U.S. wheat
exports, which for fiscal year (FY) 2002 totaled approximately
24,073,138 metric tons (MT). While most of the 90 registrants are large
businesses, we assume that some may be small.
Paperwork Reduction Act
Pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the existing
information collection requirements are approved under OMB Number 0580-
0013. No additional collection or recordkeeping requirements are
imposed on the public by this final rule. Accordingly, OMB clearance is
not required by section 350(h) of the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq., or OMB's implementing regulation at 5 CFR part
1320.
GIPSA is committed to compliance with the Government Paperwork
Elimination Act, which requires Government agencies, in general, to
provide the public the option of submitting information or transacting
business electronically to the maximum extent possible.
Background
GIPSA established the class Hard White wheat on May 1, 1990. In the
Final Rule (54 FR 48735), GIPSA stated ``that classification by
varietal kernel characteristics rather than vitreousness of the kernel
is practicable at this time for HWW (sic) and SWW (sic) since only a
few hard endosperm white * * * varieties are being produced. GIPSA
recognizes that if more hard endosperm varieties are released into the
marketplace in the future, the classification system may become less
practical.'' GIPSA further stated ``* * * if clear quality or market
distinctions develop * * * it would consider subclasses at a future
date''. At that time, a minimum visual color line was established,
which was subsequently replaced with a new color line in 1999 (Program
Bulletin 99-8). In 2001, environmental conditions caused a darker
visual appearance in some varieties of hard white, resulting in a GIPSA
decision to suspend the color line for classification purposes (Program
Notice 01-06). Under Program Notice 01-06, ``All Hard White wheat
varieties are considered Hard White wheat regardless of color.''
On June 4, 2003, GIPSA proposed in the Federal Register, (68 FR
33408) to amend the standards for wheat to create subclasses in the
class hard white. GIPSA proposed the subclass names of Hard White wheat
and Hard Amber White wheat, for wheat meeting and exceeding (darker
than) the interpretive color line, respectively. Further, GIPSA
proposed changing the definition of Contrasting Classes for Hard Red
Winter wheat and Hard Red Spring wheat such that Hard White wheat is
not a contrasting class in these two red wheat classes. Further, due to
inquiries about the portion size used to determine Maximum Count Limits
of Other Material, GIPSA proposed amending the standard to transmit
this information.
Comment Review
GIPSA published the proposed rule in the Federal Register on June
4, 2003 (68 FR 33408) with a 60-day comment period ending August 4,
2003. GIPSA received four comments during the comment period. One
comment was submitted on behalf of the Hard White Wheat Working Group
and the Hard White Wheat Advisory Committee (an aggregated wheat
industry group comprised of wheat boards, committees, or commissions of
the top ten Hard White wheat producing states; large grain
merchandisers; not for profit wheat industry groups; and a private
wheat breeding company). One comment each was received from the Kansas
Wheat Commission, one wheat producer cooperative, and one individual
wheat producer.
On the basis of the comments received and other available
information, GIPSA is implementing two of the proposed changes to the
wheat standards. The following paragraphs address comments received
regarding the proposed changes.
1. Subclass Designation
GIPSA received four comments (one aggregated industry comment in
support and three comments in opposition) on the proposal to establish
subclasses. The aggregated wheat industry comment supported subclasses.
This commenter did note that the proposal concerning adding a subclass
to the Hard White wheat class was met with a spirited discussion, both
pro and con. The commenter (1) supported the establishment of a
subclass within the Hard White Wheat class; (2) recommended changing
the subclass names to Bright Hard White Wheat for all hard white wheat
that is equal to or lighter than the interpretive color line and Hard
White Wheat for all hard white wheat that is darker than the
interpretive color line, and continue the use of an interpretive color
line and (3) recommended the use of an objective test to determine
color line rather than a subjective approach.
One comment opposed to establishment of subclasses in Hard White
wheat was received from the Kansas Wheat Commission which represents
producers responsible for production of more than 50 percent of all
Hard White wheat grown in the United States. The comment stated that
since Hard White wheat is moving in the marketplace under the current
method of grading, establishing a subclass would create a perception
that wheat does not meet the established color line is of lower
quality, resulting in discounts to producers. The commenter stated that
establishing a subclass would create supply problems in Hard White
wheat and also objected to the word ``Amber'' in the subclass name.
Another opposing commenter felt that because the color differences
are environmentally induced, and occur sporadically, grain producers
and marketers would be damaged by subclasses, vis-[agrave]-vis not
having product available to sell to the markets they had worked to
develop. Another comment opposing the proposed rule predicted
``marketing disruption and chaos resulting in economic loss to American
wheat producers is the inevitable result whenever Mother Nature gives
us a darker colored crop if these arbitrary rule changes are allowed to
become law''.
Taking into account the lack of consensus among stakeholders, GIPSA
believes that creating subclasses in Hard White wheat would not be in
the best interest of the industry. There is no market need at this
time. Based on the comments received and other available information,
GIPSA will not establish subclasses in Hard White wheat. GIPSA will,
however, maintain the Hard White wheat color line and, as currently
done, continue to certify, upon request, that the sample color exceeds
or is lighter than the color line. This provides additional information
about sample color to satisfy those customers for whom color is
important.
2. Contrasting Classes
GIPSA proposed changing the definition of Contrasting Classes for
Hard Red Winter wheat and Hard Red Spring wheat such that Hard White
wheat is not a contrasting class in these two red wheat classes. One
comment was received from the aggregated industry group in support of
the proposal. No comment was received opposing the proposal. Therefore
as set forth in the proposal, GIPSA is amending the grain standards to
change the definition of contrasting classes in Hard Red Winter wheat
and Hard Red
[[Page 8235]]
Spring wheat such that Hard White wheat is not a contrasting class but
is considered as wheat of other classes. The grade limit will remain
unchanged. For kernel identification, Hard White wheat kernels would be
determined by visual assessment and would include the dark colored,
amber, white wheat kernels, per the Grain Inspection Handbook, Book II,
Chapter 13, Section 13.26. In the case where samples challenge the
normal visual inspection process, the alkali test would be utilized to
determine kernel color (FGIS-Program Notice 01-07).
3. Sample Size
GIPSA proposed to amend the wheat standard to specify the amount of
wheat upon which sample grade factor determinations are made. No
comment was received either supporting or opposing the proposal.
Earlier versions of the standard contained this information and GIPSA
believes the standard should transmit this information. Therefore, as
set forth in the proposal, GIPSA will amend the wheat standards to
include this information.
Final Action
On the basis of these comments and other available information,
GIPSA has decided to revise the wheat standards as proposed with the
exception of establishing subclasses in Hard White wheat. This final
rule is effective on May 1, 2006, the beginning of the 2006 wheat
harvest, and will facilitate domestic and export marketing of wheat.
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 810
Export, grain.
0
For reasons set out in the preamble, 7 CFR Part 810 is amended as
follows:
PART 810--OFFICIAL UNITED STATES STANDARDS FOR GRAIN
0
1. The authority citation for Part 810 continues to read as follows:
Authority: Pub. L. 94-582, 90 Stat. 2867, as amended (7 U.S.C.
71 et. seq.)
0
2. Section 810.2202 is amended by revising paragraph (b) (1) to read as
follows:
810.2202 Definition of other terms.
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(1) Durum wheat, Soft White wheat, and Unclassed wheat in the
classes Hard Red Spring wheat and Hard Red Winter wheat.
* * * * *
0
3. Section 810.2204 is amended by revising paragraph (a) to read as
follows:
Sec. 810.2204 Grades and grade requirements for wheat.
(a) Grades and grade requirements for all classes of wheat, except
Mixed wheat.
Grades and Grade Requirements
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grades U.S. Nos.
Grading factors --------------------------------------------
1 2 3 4 5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minimum pound limits of:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Test weight per bushel:
Hard Red Spring wheat or White Club wheat...................... 58.0 57.0 55.0 53.0 50.0
All other classes and subclasses............................... 60.0 58.0 56.0 54.0 51.0
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum percent limits of:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defects:
Damaged kernels................................................
Heat (part of total)....................................... 0.2 0.2 0.5 1.0 3.0
----------
Total...................................................... 2.0 4.0 7.0 10.0 15.0
==========
Foreign material............................................... 0.4 0.7 1.3 3.0 5.0
Shrunken and broken kernels.................................... 3.0 5.0 8.0 12.0 20.0
----------
Total \1\.................................................. 3.0 5.0 8.0 12.0 20.0
==========
Wheat of other classes: \2\....................................
Contrasting classes............................................ 1.0 2.0 3.0 10.0 10.0
----------
Total \3\.................................................. 3.0 5.0 10.0 10.0 10.0
==========
Stones......................................................... 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum count limits of:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other material in one kilogram:
Animal filth................................................... 1 1 1 1 1
Castor beans................................................... 1 1 1 1 1
Crotalaria seeds............................................... 2 2 2 2 2
Glass.......................................................... 0 0 0 0 0
Stones......................................................... 3 3 3 3 3
Unknown foreign substances..................................... 3 3 3 3 3
----------
Total \4\.................................................. 4 4 4 4 4
==========
Insect-damaged kernels in 100 grams................................ 31 31 31 31 31
--------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Sample grade is Wheat that:
[[Page 8236]]
(a) Does not meet the requirements for U.S. Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5; or.......................................
(b) Has a musty, sour, or commercially objectionable foreign odor (except smut or garlic odor); or..........
(c) Is heating or of distinctly low quality. ...............................................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Includes damaged kernels (total), foreign material, shrunken and broken kernels.
\2\ Unclassed wheat of any grade may contain not more than 10.0 percent of wheat of other classes.
\3\ Includes contrasting classes.
\4\ Includes any combination of animal filth, castor beans, crotalaria seeds, glass, stones, or unknown foreign
substance.
* * * * *
Dated: February 15, 2005.
David R. Shipman,
Deputy Administrator, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards
Administration.
[FR Doc. 05-3140 Filed 2-17-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-EN-P
