Olives Grown in California; Increased Assessment Rate, 38324-38326 [E9-18415]
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38324
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 147 / Monday, August 3, 2009 / Rules and Regulations
regulation have annual grape sales of
less than $7,000,000. Based on data
from the National Agricultural Statistics
Service and the committee, the average
crop value for 2008 is about
$53,040,000. Dividing this figure by the
number of producers (50) yields an
average annual producer revenue
estimate of about $1,060,800, which is
above the SBA threshold of $750,000.
Based on the foregoing, it may be
concluded that a majority of grape
handlers and none of the producers may
be classified as small entities. The
average importer receives $2.8 million
in revenue from the sale of grapes.
Therefore, it may be concluded that the
majority of importers may be classified
as small entities.
This rule continues in effect the
action that revised § 925.304(a) of the
rules and regulations of the California
desert grape order and § 944.503(a)(1) of
the table grape import regulation. This
rule continues in effect the action that
relaxed the one-quarter pound
minimum bunch size requirement for
the 2009 season for U.S. No. 1 Table
grade grapes packed in small consumer
packages containing 2 pounds net
weight or less. Under the relaxation, up
to 20 percent of the weight of each
clamshell container may consist of
single clusters weighing less than onequarter pound, but with at least five
berries each. Authority for the change to
the California desert grape order is
provided in §§ 925.52(a)(1) and 925.53.
Authority for the change to the table
grape import regulation is provided in
section 8e the Act.
There is general agreement in the
industry for the need to relax the
minimum bunch size requirement for
grapes packed in clamshells to allow for
more packaging options, as noted in the
interim final rule. An alternative
discussed by the committee was to relax
the minimum bunch size requirement
for U.S. No. 1 Table grade grapes packed
in clamshells containing net weights of
2, 3, and 4 pounds. The committee
decided that there is not a problem with
clamshells containing net weights of 3
and 4 pounds meeting the minimum
requirements at this time. Ultimately,
the committee unanimously agreed that
the relaxation for grapes packed in
clamshells containing 2 pounds net
weight or less was appropriate as a test
for one season.
Regarding the impact of this rule on
affected entities, this rule provides both
California desert grape handlers and
importers the flexibility to respond to a
marketing opportunity on a test basis for
one season to meet customer demands
and consumer needs. Handlers and
importers will be able to provide buyers
VerDate Nov<24>2008
15:47 Jul 31, 2009
Jkt 217001
in the retail sector more packaging
choices. The relaxation may result in
increased shipments of consumer-sized
grape packs, which would have a
positive impact on producers, handlers,
and importers.
This rule will not impose any
additional reporting or recordkeeping
requirements on either small or large
grape handlers or importers. As with all
Federal marketing order programs,
reports and forms are periodically
reviewed to reduce information
requirements and duplication by
industry and public sector agencies.
In addition, USDA has not identified
any relevant Federal rules that
duplicate, overlap or conflict with this
rule.
Further, the committee’s meeting was
widely publicized throughout the grape
industry and all interested persons were
invited to attend the meeting and
participate in committee deliberations.
Like all committee meetings, the
November 14, 2008, meeting was a
public meeting and all entities, both
large and small, were able to express
their views on this issue. Also, the
World Trade Organization, the Chilean
Technical Barriers to Trade inquiry
point for notifications under the U.S.Chile Free Trade Agreement, the
embassies of Argentina, Brazil, Canada,
Chile, Italy, Mexico, Peru, and South
Africa, and known grape importers were
notified of this action.
Comments on the interim final rule
were required to be received on or
before May 18, 2009. No comments were
received. Therefore, for the reasons
given in the interim final rule, we are
adopting the interim final rule as a final
rule, without change.
To view the interim final rule, go to:
https://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/
component/
main?main=DocketDetail&d=AMS-FV08-0106.
This action also affirms information
contained in the interim final rule
concerning Executive Orders 12866 and
12988, the Paperwork Reduction Act (44
U.S.C. Chapter 35), and the E-Gov Act
(44 U.S.C. 101).
In accordance with section 8e of the
Act, the United States Trade
Representative has concurred with the
issuance of this rule.
After consideration of all relevant
material presented, it is found that
finalizing the interim final rule, without
change, as published in the Federal
Register (74 FR 11275, March 17, 2009)
will tend to effectuate the declared
policy of the Act.
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Frm 00002
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
List of Subjects
7 CFR Part 925
Grapes, Marketing agreements and
orders, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
7 CFR Part 944
Avocados, Food grades and standards,
Grapefruit, Grapes, Imports, Kiwifruit,
Limes, Olives, Oranges.
PARTS 925 AND 944—[AMENDED]
Accordingly, the interim final rule
that amended 7 CFR parts 925 and 944
and that was published at 74 FR 11275
on March 17, 2009, is adopted as a final
rule, without change.
■
Dated: July 28, 2009.
Rayne Pegg,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing
Service.
[FR Doc. E9–18414 Filed 7–31–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
7 CFR Part 932
[Doc. No. AMS–FV–08–0105; FV09–932–1
FIR]
Olives Grown in California; Increased
Assessment Rate
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service,
USDA.
ACTION: Affirmation of interim final rule
as final rule.
SUMMARY: The Department of
Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a
final rule, without change, an interim
final rule that changed the assessment
rate established under the marketing
order (order) for olives grown in
California for the 2009 and subsequent
fiscal years. The interim final rule
increased the assessment rate from
$15.60 to $28.63 per assessable ton of
olives handled. The interim final rule
was necessary to provide adequate
operating funds for the California Olive
Committee (committee), which
administers the order locally.
DATES: Effective Date: Effective
August 4, 2009.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jennifer Robinson, Marketing Specialist,
or Kurt J. Kimmel, Regional Manager,
California Marketing Field Office,
Marketing Order Administration
Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs,
AMS, USDA; Telephone: (559) 487–
5901, Fax: (559) 487–5906; or e-mail:
E:\FR\FM\03AUR1.SGM
03AUR1
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 147 / Monday, August 3, 2009 / Rules and Regulations
Jen. Robinson@ams.usda.gov or
Kurt.Kimmel@ams.usda.gov.
Small businesses may obtain
information on complying with this and
other marketing order regulations by
viewing a guide at the following Web
site: https://www.ams.usda.gov/
AMSv1.0/ams.fetchTemplate
Data.do?template=TemplateN&page=
MarketingOrdersSmallBusinessGuide;
or by contacting Jay Guerber, Marketing
Order Administration Branch, Fruit and
Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400
Independence Avenue SW., STOP 0237,
Washington, DC 20250–0237;
Telephone: (202) 720–2491, Fax: (202)
720–8938, or E-mail:
Jay.Guerber@ams.usda.gov.
This rule
is issued under Marketing Agreement
No. 148 and Order No. 932, both as
amended (7 CFR part 932), regulating
the handling of olives grown in
California, hereinafter referred to as the
‘‘order.’’ The order is effective under the
Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act
of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601–674),
hereinafter referred to as the ‘‘Act.’’
The Department of Agriculture
(USDA) is issuing this rule in
conformance with Executive Order
12866.
The handling of olives grown in
California is regulated under 7 CFR part
932. Under the order, California olive
handlers are subject to assessments,
which provide funds to administer the
order. Assessment rates issued under
the order are intended to be applicable
to all assessable olives for the entire
fiscal year, and continue indefinitely
until amended, suspended, or
terminated. The committee’s fiscal year
begins on January 1, and ends on
December 31.
In an interim final rule published in
the Federal Register on February 20,
2009, and effective on February 21, 2009
(74 FR 7782, Doc. No. AMS–FV–08–
0105; FV09–932–1 IFR), § 932.230 was
amended by increasing the assessment
rate established for the committee for
the 2009 and subsequent fiscal years
from $15.60 to $28.63 per ton of
assessable olives from the applicable
crop years. The increase in the per ton
assessment rate was deemed necessary
because the 2008–2009 olive crop was
significantly smaller than the previous
year’s crop and would not have
generated adequate assessment revenues
to meet the committee’s budgeted
program needs.
sroberts on DSKD5P82C1PROD with RULES
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
Pursuant to requirements set forth in
the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5
U.S.C. 601–612), the Agricultural
VerDate Nov<24>2008
15:47 Jul 31, 2009
Jkt 217001
Marketing Service (AMS) has
considered the economic impact of this
rule on small entities. Accordingly,
AMS has prepared this final regulatory
flexibility analysis.
The purpose of the RFA is to fit
regulatory actions to the scale of
business subject to such actions in order
that small businesses will not be unduly
or disproportionately burdened.
Marketing orders issued pursuant to the
Act, and the rules issued thereunder, are
unique in that they are brought about
through group action of essentially
small entities acting on their own
behalf.
There are approximately 1,000
producers of olives in the production
area and 2 handlers subject to regulation
under the marketing order. Small
agricultural producers are defined by
the Small Business Administration (13
CFR 121.201) as those having annual
receipts less than $750,000, and small
agricultural service firms are defined as
those whose annual receipts are less
than $7,000,000.
Based upon information from the
committee, the majority of olive
producers may be classified as small
entities. Both of the handlers may be
classified as large entities.
This rule continues in effect the
action that increased the assessment rate
established for the committee and
collected from handlers for the 2009 and
subsequent fiscal years from $15.60 to
$28.63 per ton of assessable olives. The
committee unanimously recommended
2009 expenditures of $1,482,349 and an
assessment rate of $28.63 per ton. The
assessment rate of $28.63 is $13.03
higher than the 2008 rate. The higher
assessment rate is necessary because
assessable olive receipts for the 2008–09
crop year were reported by the CASS to
be 49,067 tons, compared to 108,059
tons for the 2007–08 crop year. Actual
assessable tonnage for the 2009 fiscal
year is expected to be lower because
some of the receipts may be diverted by
handlers to exempt outlets on which
assessments are not paid.
Income generated from the $28.63 per
ton assessment rate should be adequate
to meet this year’s expenses when
combined with funds from the
authorized reserve and interest income.
Funds in the reserve would be kept
within the maximum permitted by the
order of about one fiscal year’s expenses
(§ 932.40).
Expenditures recommended by the
committee for the 2009 fiscal year
include $495,000 for research, $627,800
for marketing activities, and $359,549
for administration. Budgeted
expenditures for these items in 2008
were $500,000, $750,000, and $288,552,
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
38325
respectively. The 2009 marketing and
research programs will be scaled back.
Prior to arriving at this budget, the
committee considered information from
various sources, such as the committee’s
Executive, Market Development, and
Research Subcommittees. Alternate
spending levels were discussed by these
groups, based upon the relative value of
various research and marketing projects
to the olive industry and the reduced
olive production. The assessment rate of
$28.63 per ton of assessable olives was
derived by considering anticipated
expenses, the volume of assessable
olives and additional pertinent factors.
A review of historical information
indicates that the grower price for the
2008–09 crop year was approximately
$1,109.47 per ton for canning fruit and
$380.71 per ton for limited-use sizes,
leaving the balance as unusable cull
fruit. Approximately 84 percent of the
total tonnage of olives received is
canning fruit sizes and 11 percent is
limited use sizes, leaving the balance as
unusable cull fruit. Grower revenue on
49,067 total tons of canning and limiteduse sizes would be $49,283,177 given
the current grower prices for those sizes.
Therefore, with an assessment rate
increased from $15.60 to $28.63, the
estimated assessment revenue is
expected to be almost 3 percent of
grower revenue.
This action increases the assessment
obligation imposed on handlers. While
assessments impose some additional
costs on handlers, the costs are minimal
and uniform on all handlers. Some of
the additional costs may be passed on
to producers. However, these costs will
be offset by the benefits derived by the
operation of the marketing order. In
addition, the committee’s meeting was
widely publicized throughout the
California olive industry and all
interested persons were invited to
attend the meeting and participate in
committee deliberations on all issues.
Like all committee meetings, the
December 10, 2008, meeting was a
public meeting and all entities, both
large and small, were able to express
views on this issue.
This action imposes no additional
reporting or recordkeeping requirements
on either small or large California olive
handlers. As with all Federal marketing
order programs, reports and forms are
periodically reviewed to reduce
information requirements and
duplication by industry and public
sector agencies.
USDA has not identified any relevant
Federal rules that duplicate, overlap, or
conflict with this rule.
Comments on the interim final rule
were required to be received on or
E:\FR\FM\03AUR1.SGM
03AUR1
38326
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 147 / Monday, August 3, 2009 / Rules and Regulations
before April 21, 2009. No comments
were received. Therefore, for the reasons
given in the interim final rule, we are
adopting the interim final rule as a final
rule, without change.
To view the interim final rule, go to
https://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/
component/
main?main=DocketDetail&d=AMS-FV08-0105.
This action also affirms information
contained in the interim final rule
concerning Executive Orders 12866 and
12988, the Paperwork Reduction Act (44
U.S.C. Chapter 35), and the E-Gov Act
(44 U.S.C. 101).
After consideration of all relevant
material presented, it is found that
finalizing the interim final rule, without
change, as published in the Federal
Register (74 FR 7782, February 20,
2009) will tend to effectuate the
declared policy of the Act.
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 932
Marketing agreements, Olives,
Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
Accordingly, the interim final rule
that amended 7 CFR part 932 and that
was published at 74 FR 7782 on
February 20, 2009, is adopted as final
rule, without change.
Dated: July 28, 2009.
Rayne Pegg,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing
Service.
[FR Doc. E9–18415 Filed 7–31–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service
9 CFR Part 145
[Docket No. APHIS–2007–0042]
RIN 0579–AC78
sroberts on DSKD5P82C1PROD with RULES
National Poultry Improvement Plan and
Auxiliary Provisions; Technical
Amendment
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Final rule; technical
amendment.
SUMMARY: In a final rule that was
published in the Federal Register on
April 1, 2009 (74 FR 14710–14719,
Docket No. APHIS–2007–0042), and
effective on May 1, 2009, we amended
Jkt 217001
Effective Date: August 3, 2009.
Mr.
Andrew R. Rhorer, Senior Coordinator,
Poultry Improvement Staff, National
Poultry Improvement Plan, Veterinary
Services, APHIS, USDA, 1498 Klondike
Road, Suite 101, Conyers, GA 30094–
5104; (770) 922–3496.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
List of Subjects in 9 CFR Part 145
Animal diseases, Poultry and poultry
products, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
■ Accordingly, we are amending 9 CFR
part 145 as follows:
PART 145—NATIONAL POULTRY
IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR BREEDING
POULTRY
1. The authority citation for part 145
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 8301–8317; 7 CFR
2.22, 2.80, and 371.4.
§ 145.33
[Amended]
2. In § 145.33, paragraph (l)(2)(i) is
amended by removing the words ‘‘15
days’’ and adding the words ‘‘30 days’’
in their place.
■
Done in Washington, DC, this 27th day of
July 2009.
William H. Clay,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. E9–18485 Filed 7–31–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–34–P
Background
■
15:47 Jul 31, 2009
DATES:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
PART 932—OLIVES GROWN IN
CALIFORNIA—[AMENDED]
VerDate Nov<24>2008
the National Poultry Improvement Plan
(the Plan) and its auxiliary provisions
by providing new or modified sampling
and testing procedures for Plan
participants and participating flocks. In
that final rule, we amended the U.S.
Avian Influenza Clean program for
multiplier meat-type chicken breeding
flocks to require that 15 birds be tested
to retain the classification, rather than
30. However, our amendatory
instruction accomplishing this change
also amended the program to require
multiplier spent fowl to be tested within
15 days prior to movement to slaughter,
rather than 30 days. We had intended to
retain the 30-day requirement. This
document corrects that error.
In a final rule that was published in
the Federal Register on April 1, 2009
(74 FR 14710–14719, Docket No.
APHIS–2007–0042), and effective on
May 1, 2009, we amended the National
Poultry Improvement Plan (the Plan)
and its auxiliary provisions by
providing new or modified sampling
and testing procedures for Plan
participants and participating flocks.
The regulations in 9 CFR parts 145, 146,
and 147 contain the provisions of the
Plan.
We amended the U.S. Avian Influenza
Clean program for multiplier meat-type
chicken breeding flocks in § 145.33(l) by
reducing the sample of birds required to
be tested from 30 to 15 and reducing the
interval at which the sample must be
tested from 180 to 90 days. As the 30bird sample is referred to 4 times in
paragraph (l), the amendatory
instruction to accomplish this change
indicated that the numeral ‘‘30’’ should
be replaced each time it occurred in
paragraph (l) with the numeral ‘‘15.’’
However, paragraph (l)(2)(i) of § 145.33
also contained a requirement that
multiplier spent fowl be tested within
30 days prior to movement to slaughter.
Thus, our amendatory instruction
inadvertently changed that requirement
to require testing of multiplier spent
fowl 15 days prior to slaughter. We had
intended to retain the 30-day
requirement. This document corrects
that error.
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
NUCLEAR REGULATORY
COMMISSION
10 CFR Part 26
[NRC–2002–0002]
RIN 3150–AF12
Fitness for Duty Programs
AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory
Commission.
ACTION: Final rule; correcting
amendment.
SUMMARY: This document corrects a
final rule appearing in the Federal
Register on March 31, 2008 (73 FR
16965), that amended the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission’s (NRC’s)
regulations that govern fitness for duty
programs. This document is necessary
to correct erroneous language in the
preamble and codified language of the
final rule. These corrections include
fixing typographical errors and crossreferences, revising language in the
preamble to clarify unintended
discrepancies with the codified rule
text, and making non-substantive
changes to the rule text that do not
modify any requirements in the final
rule.
DATES: The correction is effective
August 3, 2009, and is retroactively
applicable to March 31, 2008.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lynn Hall, Office of Nuclear Reactor
E:\FR\FM\03AUR1.SGM
03AUR1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 147 (Monday, August 3, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38324-38326]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-18415]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
7 CFR Part 932
[Doc. No. AMS-FV-08-0105; FV09-932-1 FIR]
Olives Grown in California; Increased Assessment Rate
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Affirmation of interim final rule as final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final
rule, without change, an interim final rule that changed the assessment
rate established under the marketing order (order) for olives grown in
California for the 2009 and subsequent fiscal years. The interim final
rule increased the assessment rate from $15.60 to $28.63 per assessable
ton of olives handled. The interim final rule was necessary to provide
adequate operating funds for the California Olive Committee
(committee), which administers the order locally.
DATES: Effective Date: Effective August 4, 2009.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Robinson, Marketing
Specialist, or Kurt J. Kimmel, Regional Manager, California Marketing
Field Office, Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and
Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA; Telephone: (559) 487-5901, Fax: (559)
487-5906; or e-mail:
[[Page 38325]]
Jen. Robinson@ams.usda.gov or Kurt.Kimmel@ams.usda.gov.
Small businesses may obtain information on complying with this and
other marketing order regulations by viewing a guide at the following
Web site: https://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/ams.fetchTemplateData.do?template=TemplateN&page=MarketingOrdersSmallBusinessGuide; or by contacting Jay Guerber, Marketing Order
Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400
Independence Avenue SW., STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237;
Telephone: (202) 720-2491, Fax: (202) 720-8938, or E-mail:
Jay.Guerber@ams.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This rule is issued under Marketing
Agreement No. 148 and Order No. 932, both as amended (7 CFR part 932),
regulating the handling of olives grown in California, hereinafter
referred to as the ``order.'' The order is effective under the
Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-
674), hereinafter referred to as the ``Act.''
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing this rule in
conformance with Executive Order 12866.
The handling of olives grown in California is regulated under 7 CFR
part 932. Under the order, California olive handlers are subject to
assessments, which provide funds to administer the order. Assessment
rates issued under the order are intended to be applicable to all
assessable olives for the entire fiscal year, and continue indefinitely
until amended, suspended, or terminated. The committee's fiscal year
begins on January 1, and ends on December 31.
In an interim final rule published in the Federal Register on
February 20, 2009, and effective on February 21, 2009 (74 FR 7782, Doc.
No. AMS-FV-08-0105; FV09-932-1 IFR), Sec. 932.230 was amended by
increasing the assessment rate established for the committee for the
2009 and subsequent fiscal years from $15.60 to $28.63 per ton of
assessable olives from the applicable crop years. The increase in the
per ton assessment rate was deemed necessary because the 2008-2009
olive crop was significantly smaller than the previous year's crop and
would not have generated adequate assessment revenues to meet the
committee's budgeted program needs.
Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
Pursuant to requirements set forth in the Regulatory Flexibility
Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601-612), the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)
has considered the economic impact of this rule on small entities.
Accordingly, AMS has prepared this final regulatory flexibility
analysis.
The purpose of the RFA is to fit regulatory actions to the scale of
business subject to such actions in order that small businesses will
not be unduly or disproportionately burdened. Marketing orders issued
pursuant to the Act, and the rules issued thereunder, are unique in
that they are brought about through group action of essentially small
entities acting on their own behalf.
There are approximately 1,000 producers of olives in the production
area and 2 handlers subject to regulation under the marketing order.
Small agricultural producers are defined by the Small Business
Administration (13 CFR 121.201) as those having annual receipts less
than $750,000, and small agricultural service firms are defined as
those whose annual receipts are less than $7,000,000.
Based upon information from the committee, the majority of olive
producers may be classified as small entities. Both of the handlers may
be classified as large entities.
This rule continues in effect the action that increased the
assessment rate established for the committee and collected from
handlers for the 2009 and subsequent fiscal years from $15.60 to $28.63
per ton of assessable olives. The committee unanimously recommended
2009 expenditures of $1,482,349 and an assessment rate of $28.63 per
ton. The assessment rate of $28.63 is $13.03 higher than the 2008 rate.
The higher assessment rate is necessary because assessable olive
receipts for the 2008-09 crop year were reported by the CASS to be
49,067 tons, compared to 108,059 tons for the 2007-08 crop year. Actual
assessable tonnage for the 2009 fiscal year is expected to be lower
because some of the receipts may be diverted by handlers to exempt
outlets on which assessments are not paid.
Income generated from the $28.63 per ton assessment rate should be
adequate to meet this year's expenses when combined with funds from the
authorized reserve and interest income. Funds in the reserve would be
kept within the maximum permitted by the order of about one fiscal
year's expenses (Sec. 932.40).
Expenditures recommended by the committee for the 2009 fiscal year
include $495,000 for research, $627,800 for marketing activities, and
$359,549 for administration. Budgeted expenditures for these items in
2008 were $500,000, $750,000, and $288,552, respectively. The 2009
marketing and research programs will be scaled back.
Prior to arriving at this budget, the committee considered
information from various sources, such as the committee's Executive,
Market Development, and Research Subcommittees. Alternate spending
levels were discussed by these groups, based upon the relative value of
various research and marketing projects to the olive industry and the
reduced olive production. The assessment rate of $28.63 per ton of
assessable olives was derived by considering anticipated expenses, the
volume of assessable olives and additional pertinent factors.
A review of historical information indicates that the grower price
for the 2008-09 crop year was approximately $1,109.47 per ton for
canning fruit and $380.71 per ton for limited-use sizes, leaving the
balance as unusable cull fruit. Approximately 84 percent of the total
tonnage of olives received is canning fruit sizes and 11 percent is
limited use sizes, leaving the balance as unusable cull fruit. Grower
revenue on 49,067 total tons of canning and limited-use sizes would be
$49,283,177 given the current grower prices for those sizes. Therefore,
with an assessment rate increased from $15.60 to $28.63, the estimated
assessment revenue is expected to be almost 3 percent of grower
revenue.
This action increases the assessment obligation imposed on
handlers. While assessments impose some additional costs on handlers,
the costs are minimal and uniform on all handlers. Some of the
additional costs may be passed on to producers. However, these costs
will be offset by the benefits derived by the operation of the
marketing order. In addition, the committee's meeting was widely
publicized throughout the California olive industry and all interested
persons were invited to attend the meeting and participate in committee
deliberations on all issues. Like all committee meetings, the December
10, 2008, meeting was a public meeting and all entities, both large and
small, were able to express views on this issue.
This action imposes no additional reporting or recordkeeping
requirements on either small or large California olive handlers. As
with all Federal marketing order programs, reports and forms are
periodically reviewed to reduce information requirements and
duplication by industry and public sector agencies.
USDA has not identified any relevant Federal rules that duplicate,
overlap, or conflict with this rule.
Comments on the interim final rule were required to be received on
or
[[Page 38326]]
before April 21, 2009. No comments were received. Therefore, for the
reasons given in the interim final rule, we are adopting the interim
final rule as a final rule, without change.
To view the interim final rule, go to https://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=AMS-FV-08-0105.
This action also affirms information contained in the interim final
rule concerning Executive Orders 12866 and 12988, the Paperwork
Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), and the E-Gov Act (44 U.S.C.
101).
After consideration of all relevant material presented, it is found
that finalizing the interim final rule, without change, as published in
the Federal Register (74 FR 7782, February 20, 2009) will tend to
effectuate the declared policy of the Act.
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 932
Marketing agreements, Olives, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
PART 932--OLIVES GROWN IN CALIFORNIA--[AMENDED]
0
Accordingly, the interim final rule that amended 7 CFR part 932 and
that was published at 74 FR 7782 on February 20, 2009, is adopted as
final rule, without change.
Dated: July 28, 2009.
Rayne Pegg,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. E9-18415 Filed 7-31-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P