Amendments to Mushroom Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Order, 50915-50920 [E9-23777]
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50915
Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
Vol. 74, No. 190
Friday, October 2, 2009
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER
contains regulatory documents having general
applicability and legal effect, most of which
are keyed to and codified in the Code of
Federal Regulations, which is published under
50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by
the Superintendent of Documents. Prices of
new books are listed in the first FEDERAL
REGISTER issue of each week.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service
7 CFR Part 354
[Docket No. APHIS–2009–0048]
RIN 0579–AC99
User Fees for Agricultural Quarantine
and Inspection Services
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AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Interim rule; delay of effective
date.
SUMMARY: On September 28, 2009, we
published an interim rule in the Federal
Register to adjust the fees charged for
certain agricultural quarantine and
inspection (AQI) services that are
provided in connection with certain
commercial vessels, commercial trucks,
commercial railroad cars, commercial
aircraft, and international airline
passengers arriving at ports in the
customs territory of the United States.
That interim rule was scheduled to
become effective on October 1, 2009. We
are delaying the effective date of the
interim rule until November 1, 2009.
This delay will provide entities affected
by the changes in AQI user fees
additional time to make the necessary
preparations to comply with the new
fees.
DATES: The effective date for the interim
rule amending 7 CFR part 354 published
at 74 FR 49311–49315 on September 28,
2009, is delayed until November 1,
2009.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
information concerning program
operations, contact Mr. William E.
Thomas, Director, Quarantine Policy,
Analysis, and Support, PPQ, APHIS,
4700 River Road, Unit 131, Riverdale,
MD 20737; (301) 734–5214. For
information concerning rate
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development, contact Mrs. Kris Caraher,
User Fee Section, Financial Services
Branch, Financial Management
Division, MRPBS, APHIS, 4700 River
Road Unit 55, Riverdale, MD 20737–
1232; (301) 734–0882.
BILLING CODE 3410–34–P
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
In an interim rule published in the
Federal Register on September 28, 2009
(74 FR 49311–49315, Docket No.
APHIS–2009–0048), we amended the
user fee regulations in 7 CFR part 354
by adjusting the fees charged for certain
agricultural quarantine and inspection
(AQI) services that are provided in
connection with certain commercial
vessels, commercial trucks, commercial
railroad cars, commercial aircraft, and
international airline passengers arriving
at ports in the customs territory of the
United States. In the interim rule, we
explained that the recent downturn in
the U.S. economy has negatively
impacted travel volumes, and, as a
result, our user fee collections, which
fund these services, have diminished.
Although the volume of international
travel and trade has decreased,
inspection and related support services
continue to be provided at their existing
levels, so expenses have not decreased.
As a result, our user fee collections have
not been sufficient to enable us to
provide those services and maintain a
reasonable reserve balance. We therefore
found it necessary to increase our AQI
user fees in order to provide adequate
funds for these purposes.
The interim rule was scheduled to
become effective on October 1, 2009. We
are delaying the effective date of the
interim rule until November 1, 2009.
This delay will provide entities affected
by the changes in AQI user fees
additional time to make the necessary
preparations to comply with the new
fees.
Accordingly, the effective date for the
interim rule amending 7 CFR part 354
published at 74 FR 49311–49315 on
September 28, 2009, is delayed until
November 1, 2009.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 7701–7772, 7781–
7786, and 8301–8317; 21 U.S.C. 136 and
136a; 49 U.S.C. 80503; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and
371.3.
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Done in Washington, DC, this 30th day of
September 2009.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. E9–23930 Filed 9–30–09; 4:15 pm]
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Agricultural Marketing Service
7 CFR Part 1209
[Doc. No. AMS–FV–08–0047; FV–08–702–
FR]
RIN 0581–AC82
Amendments to Mushroom Promotion,
Research, and Consumer Information
Order
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service,
USDA.
ACTION: Final rule.
SUMMARY: This rule amends provisions
of the Mushroom Promotion, Research,
and Consumer Information Order
(Order) to reapportion membership of
the Mushroom Council (Council) to
reflect shifts in United States mushroom
production as well as to add language to
the powers and duties section of the
Order allowing the Council the power to
develop and propose good agricultural
and handling practices and related
activities for mushrooms. Section 10104
of the Food, Conservation and Energy
Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill) amended
sections 1925(b)(2) and (c) of the
Mushroom Promotion, Research, and
Consumer Information Act of 1990
(Act). Specifically, section 10104
changed the Act’s requirements for
geographic regions used to appoint
producer members of the Council from
four to three, and adjusted the pounds
required by each region for Council
membership, which reallocated Council
member representation in two of the
three producer geographic regions
(Regions 1 and 2). Section 10104 also
added language to the powers and
duties section of the Act that authorizes
the Council to develop and propose
good agricultural practices and related
activities for mushrooms. A referendum
was held among eligible mushroom
producers and importers and they voted
in favor of the amendments. Therefore,
this rule amends changes to the Order
based on the amendments to the Act.
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DATES:
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October 5, 2009.
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jeanette Palmer, Marketing Specialist,
Research and Promotion Branch (RPB),
Fruit and Vegetable Programs (FVP),
AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence
Avenue, SW., Room 0632, Stop 0244,
Washington, DC 20250–0244; telephone:
(202) 720–9915 or (888) 720–9917 (toll
free); or facsimile: (202) 205–2800; or
e-mail: Jeanette.Palmer@ams.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This rule
is issued under the Mushroom
Promotion, Research, and Consumer
Information Order (Order) [7 CFR part
1209]. The Order is authorized under
the Mushroom Promotion, Research,
and Consumer Information Act of 1990
(Act) [7 U.S.C. 6101–6112].
A proposed rule was published in the
Federal Register on April 7, 2009, [74
FR 15677] with a thirty-day comment
period which closed on May 7, 2009.
Three comments were received by the
May 7, 2009, deadline. These comments
were discussed in a second proposed
rule and referendum order that was
published in the Federal Register on
June 5, 2009, [74 FR 26984].
Pursuant to section 1209.300 of the
Order, a referendum was conducted
among mushroom producers and
importers to determine whether the
reapportion of membership on the
Council reflecting shifts in United States
mushroom production as well as to add
language to the powers and duties
section of the Order allowing the
Council the power to develop and
propose good agricultural and handling
practices and related activities for
mushrooms was favored by persons
voting in the referendum.
The representative period for
establishing voter eligibility for the
referendum was January 1, 2007,
through December 31, 2008. Section
1924(b)(3) of the Act requires that the
Order be approved by a majority of
producers and importers voting in the
referendum which majority, on average,
annually produces and imports into the
United States more than 50 percent of
mushrooms annually produced and
imported by all those persons voting in
the referendum. Only mushroom
producers and importers who either
produced or imported, on average, over
500,000 pounds of mushrooms annually
during the representative period were
eligible to vote in the referendum.
Mushroom producers and importers
who have received an exemption from
assessment for the entire representative
period were ineligible to vote. The
referendum was conducted by mail
ballot from July 6, 2009, through July
17, 2009. Eighty-seven percent of those
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voting in the referendum, representing
94 percent of the volume who voted in
the referendum, approved the
amendments to the Order.
Executive Order 12866
This rule has been determined not
significant for purposes of Executive
Order 12866 and therefore has not been
reviewed by the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB).
Executive Order 12988
This rule has been reviewed under
Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice
Reform. The rule is not intended to have
a retroactive effect. Section 1930 of the
Act provides that nothing in the Act
may be construed to preempt or
supersede any other program relating to
mushroom promotion, research,
consumer information, or industry
information organized and operated
under the laws of the United States or
any State.
Under section 1927 of the Act, a
person subject to an Order may file a
written petition with the Department
stating that the Order, any provision of
the Order, or any obligation imposed in
connection with the Order, is not in
accordance with the law, and requesting
a modification of the Order or an
exemption from the Order. Any petition
filed challenging the Order, any
provision of the Order, or any obligation
imposed in connection with the Order,
shall be filed within two years after the
effective date of the Order, provision, or
obligation subject to challenge in the
petition. The petitioner will have the
opportunity for a hearing on the
petition. Thereafter, the Department will
issue a ruling on the petition. The Act
provides that the district court of the
United States in any district in which
the petitioner resides or carries on
business shall have the jurisdiction to
review a final ruling on the petition, if
the petitioner files a complaint for that
purpose not later than 20 days after the
date of the entry of the Department’s
final ruling.
Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
and Paperwork Reduction Act
In accordance with the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (RFA) [5 U.S.C. 601–
612], the Agricultural Marketing Service
(AMS) has examined the economic
impact of this rule on small entities that
would be affected by this rule. 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.
The Small Business Administration
defines, in 13 CFR part 121, small
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agricultural producers as those having
annual receipts of no more than
$750,000 and small agricultural service
firms (importers) as having receipts of
no more than $7,000,000. There are
approximately 107 producers and 18
importers subject to the Order, and thus,
eligible to serve on the Council. The
majority of these producers and
importers would not be considered
small entities as defined by the Small
Business Administration. Producers and
importers of 500,000 pounds or less on
average of mushrooms for the fresh
market are exempt from the Order.
The current Order provides for the
establishment of a Council consisting of
at least four members and not more than
nine members. For the purpose of
nominating and appointing producers to
the Council, the United States was
divided into four geographic regions
(Regions 1, 2, 3, and 4) with Council
member representation allocated for
each region based on the geographic
distribution of mushroom production.
Currently, for importers (referred to as
Region 5), one Council member seat was
allocated when imports, on average,
exceed 35,000,000 pounds of
mushrooms annually. The Order also
specifies that the Council will review—
at least every five years and not more
than every three years—the geographic
distribution of United States mushroom
production volume and import volume,
and recommend changes accordingly.
Section 10104 of the 2008 Farm Bill
amended sections 1925(b)(2) and (c) of
the Mushroom Promotion, Research,
and Consumer Information Act of 1990
[7 U.S.C. 6101–6112]. Specifically,
section 10104 reapportioned the Act’s
requirements for geographic regions that
represent the geographic distribution of
mushroom production in order to
appoint producer members of the
Council from four to three, and adjusted
the pounds required by each region
(including importers) for Council
membership. This rule changes the
current five geographic regions to four
as follows: Region 1—all other States
including the District of Columbia and
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
except for Pennsylvania and California;
Region 2—the State of Pennsylvania;
Region 3—the State of California; and
Region 4—importers. Finally, section
10104 added language to the powers
and duties section of the Act that
authorizes the Council to develop and
propose good agricultural and handling
practices, and related activities for
mushrooms.
In 1990, there were 466 mushroom
farms in 26 states, as reported by the
National Agricultural Statistics Service
(NASS). Mushroom farms, like many
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other agricultural sectors, have
experienced significant consolidation.
In 2007, NASS reported 279 mushroom
farms in 18 states. Pennsylvania, the
largest mushroom producing state,
produced 332.5 million pounds in 1990.
Last year, NASS reported that
Pennsylvania produced 496.6 million
pounds accounting for 61 percent of the
total volume of sales in the United
States. According to the Council,
changing economic conditions over the
past 18 years, coupled with innovations
in production methods, advancements
in cold chain management and longrange transportation options have all
contributed to mushroom farming
operations becoming larger, but fewer in
number. Currently, there are 107 entities
in 11 states which are subject to the Act,
and therefore eligible for nomination to
the Council. Several of these entities are
owned by companies which have
multiple operations in different states.
The Act states that no more than one
member may be appointed to the
Council from nominations submitted by
any one producer or importer.
According to NASS, at present 73
percent of all domestic producers
subject to the Act are located in the state
of Pennsylvania. The value of sales for
mushrooms shipped from Pennsylvania
grew 16 percent from July 1, 2004 to
June 30, 2008. Of the remaining 29
producers subject to the Act, not located
in Pennsylvania, 59 percent reside in
the state of California, with the
remaining 12 producers scattered among
9 states. The value of sales for
mushrooms shipped from California
increased 8 percent from July 1, 2004 to
June 30, 2008, while the value of sales
for mushrooms shipped from the rest of
the United States (excluding
Pennsylvania) declined 3 percent.
Pennsylvania and California alone
account for 77 percent of all domestic
producers subject to the Act and are
growing in terms of fresh pounds
produced and shipped, and thus are
likely to remain viable regions for the
foreseeable future. Pennsylvania’s
designation as one of the three regions
in the United States ensures that it
receives representation relative to its
production. With nearly 60 percent of
the remaining producers subject to the
Act and growing, California would also
benefit from a regional designation. In
reviewing the geographical regions, the
Department also reviewed the importer
seats to ensure that importers are
adequately represented based on annual
production numbers. Importers have a
four year average annual production
from January 1, 2004, through December
31, 2007, of 68 million pounds.
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Therefore, according to the changes
made to the Act and the changes to the
Order, importer representation on the
Council will remain the same.
Section 1925(b)(2) of the Act,
Appointments, states that in making
appointments of members to the
Council, the Secretary shall take into
account, to the extent practicable, the
geographical distribution of mushroom
production throughout the United
States, and the comparative volume of
mushrooms imported into the United
States.
According to the Council, the
reduction in the number of regions from
four to three for domestic production
and the increase in pounds required for
seats in each region will more
accurately reflect the current status of
mushroom production in the United
States.
This rule changes the five current
geographic regions as follows: Region
1—all other States including the District
of Columbia and the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico except for Pennsylvania and
California; Region 2—the State of
Pennsylvania; Region 3—the State of
California; and Region 4—importers.
In accordance with amendments to
the Act, this rule increases the threshold
for regional representation on the
Council from a production average of at
least 35 million pounds to at least 50
million pounds annually. Each region
that produces on average, at least 50
million pounds of mushrooms annually
shall be entitled to one representative
on the Council.
This rule also changes the way
additional members are appointed to the
Council. Pursuant to the amendments to
the Acts made by the 2008 Farm Bill,
and subject to the nine-member limit of
members on the Council, the Secretary
shall appoint additional members to the
Council from a region that attains
additional pounds of production as
follows:
(i) If the annual production of a region
is greater than 110,000,000 pounds, but
less than or equal to 180,000,000
pounds, the region shall be represented
by 1 additional member.
(ii) If the annual production of a
region is greater than 180,000,000
pounds, but less than or equal to
260,000,000 pounds, the region shall be
represented by 2 additional members.
(iii) If the annual production of a
region is greater than 260,000,000
pounds, the region shall be represented
by 3 additional members.
Should, in the aggregate, regions be
entitled to levels of representation that
would exceed the nine-member limit on
the Council under the Act, the seat or
seats assigned would be assigned to that
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region or those regions with greater onaverage production or import volume
than the other regions otherwise eligible
at that increment level.
Section 1925(c) of the Act was also
amended by the 2008 Farm Bill to
include language that authorizes the
Council to develop and propose to the
Secretary programs for good agricultural
and good handling practices and related
activities for mushrooms. Therefore, this
rule amends section 1209.38 of the
Order to include the following language:
‘‘to develop and propose to the
Secretary programs for good agricultural
and good handling practices and related
activities for mushrooms.’’
The overall impact of the
amendments will be favorable for
producers and importers because the
producers and importers would have
more equitable representation on the
Council based on United States
mushroom production volume and
import volume.
In accordance with the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB)
regulation [5 CFR part 1320] which
implements the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995 [44 U.S.C. Chapter 35], there
are no new information collection
requirements contained in this rule
because the number of producer
members will remain unchanged at nine
producer members. The information
collection requirements have been
previously approved by the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) under
OMB control number 0581–0093.
The Department has not identified
any relevant Federal rules that
duplicate, overlap, or conflict with this
rule.
Background
The Order is authorized under the
Mushroom Promotion, Research, and
Consumer Information Act of 1990 [7
U.S.C. 6101–6112], and is administered
by the Council. Under the Order, the
Council administers a nationally
coordinated program of research,
development, and information designed
to strengthen the fresh mushroom’s
position in the market place and to
establish, maintain, and expand markets
for fresh mushrooms. The program is
financed by an assessment of $0.005
cents per pound on any person who
produces or imports over 500,000
pounds of mushrooms for the fresh
market annually. Under the Order,
handlers collect and remit producer
assessments to the Council, and
assessments paid by importers are
collected and remitted by the United
States Customs and Border Protection.
The Order provides for the
establishment of a Council consisting of
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at least four members and not more than
nine members. For the purpose of
nominating and appointing producers to
the Council, the United States was
divided into four geographic regions
(Regions 1, 2, 3, and 4) with Council
member representation allocated for
each region based on the geographic
distribution of mushroom production.
For importers (referred to as Region 5),
one Council member seat was allocated
when imports, on average, exceeds 35
million pounds of mushrooms annually.
Section 1209.30(d) of the Order
provides that at least every five years,
and not more than every three years, the
Council shall review changes in the
geographic distribution of mushroom
production volume throughout the
United States and import volume, using
the average annual mushroom
production and imports over the
preceding four years. Based on the
review, the Council is required to
recommend reapportionment of the
regions or modification of the number of
members from such regions, or both, to
reflect shifts in the geographic
distribution of mushroom production
volume and importer representation.
Based on the amendments to the Act
made by section 10104 of the Farm Bill,
and a review of United States
mushroom production volume and
import volume, this rule changes the
current five regions to four as follows:
Region 1—all other States including the
District of Columbia and the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico except
for Pennsylvania and California; Region
2—the State of Pennsylvania; Region
3—the State of California; and Region
4—importers.
The current Order also provides that
each producer region that produces, on
average, at least 35 million pounds of
mushrooms annually is entitled to one
member. The current Order also states
that importers shall be represented by a
single, separate region, and are also
entitled to one representative, if on
average, at least 35 million pounds of
mushrooms are imported annually.
Further, the current Order states that
each region shall be entitled to
representation by an additional Council
member for each 50 million pounds of
annual production or imports, on
average, in excess of the initial 35
million pounds required to qualify the
region for representation, until the nine
seats on the Council are filled. Section
1209.12 of the Order provides that ‘‘on
average’’ means a rolling average of
production or imports during the last
two fiscal years, or such other period as
may be determined by the Secretary. For
purposes of this rule, and as provided
under the Order, ‘‘on average’’ reflects a
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rolling average of production or imports
during the last four fiscal years.
Section 1209.30(e)(4)(iii) of the
current Order, provides that should
regions be entitled to levels of
representation that would exceed the
nine-member limit on the Council under
the Act, the regions shall be entitled to
representation on the Council as
follows: Each region with 50 million
pounds of annual production or
imports, on average, in excess of the
initial 35 million pounds required to
qualify the region for representation
shall be assigned one additional
representative on the Council, except
that if under such assignments all five
regions, counting importers as a region,
if applicable, would be entitled to
additional representatives, that region
with the smallest on-average volume, in
terms of production or imports, will not
be assigned an additional
representative. According to section
1209.30(f) of the current Order, in
determining the volume of mushrooms
produced in the United States or
imported into the United States, the
Council and the Secretary shall: (1)
Only consider mushrooms produced or
imported by producers and importers,
respectively, as those terms are defined
in sections 1209.8 and 1209.15; and (2)
used the information received by the
Council under section 1209.60, and data
published by the Department.
In addition, the current Order
provides that if after members are
assigned to the regions, less than the
entire nine seats on the Council have
been assigned to regions, the remaining
seats on the Council shall be assigned to
each region for each 50 million pound
increment of annual production or
import volume, on average, in excess of
85 million pounds until all the seats are
filled. If for any such 50 million pound
increment, more regions are eligible for
seats than there are seats available, the
seat or seats assigned for such increment
shall be assigned to that region or those
regions with greater on-average
production or import volume than the
other regions otherwise eligible at that
increment level.
Pursuant to the amendments made to
the Act made by the 2008 Farm Bill, this
rule increases the threshold for regional
representation on the Council from a
production average of at least 35 million
pounds to at least 50 million pounds
annually. Each region that produces on
average, at least 50 million pounds of
mushrooms annually shall be entitled to
one representative on the Council.
In addition, this rule changes
language in the Order regarding how
additional members are added to the
Council. Additional members from each
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region that attains additional pounds of
production would now be appointed to
the Council as follows:
(i) If the annual production of a region
is greater than 110,000,000 pounds, but
less than or equal to 180,000,000
pounds, the region shall be represented
by 1 additional member.
(ii) If the annual production of a
region is greater than 180,000,000
pounds, but less than or equal to
260,000,000 pounds, the region shall be
represented by 2 additional members.
(iii) If the annual production of a
region is greater than 260,000,000
pounds, the region shall be represented
by 3 additional members.
This amendment to the Order changes
the number of regions and Council
member representatives as follows:
Region 1—all other States including the
District of Columbia and the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico except
for Pennsylvania and California; Region
2—the State of Pennsylvania; Region
3—the State of California; and Region
4—importers.
Should, in the aggregate, regions be
entitled to levels of representation that
would exceed the nine-member limit on
the Council under the Act, the seat or
seats assigned shall be assigned to that
region or those regions with greater onaverage production or import volume
than the other regions otherwise eligible
at that increment level.
Section 1925(c) of the Act was also
amended by the 2008 Farm Bill to insert
language allowing the Council to
develop and propose to the Secretary
programs for good agricultural and good
handling practices and related activities
for mushrooms. Therefore, this rule
amends section 1209.38 of the Order to
include the following line: ‘‘to develop
and propose to the Secretary programs
for good agricultural and good handling
practices and related activities for
mushrooms.’’
Finally, this rule terminates section
1209.230 of the regulations concerning
reallocation of Council members.
The Department published the
proposal for public comment in the
April 7, 2009, Federal Register [74 FR
15677]. Three comments were received
by the May 7, 2009, deadline. These
comments were discussed in the June 5,
2009, proposed rule published in the
Federal Register [74 FR 26984] which
included a Referendum Order.
General Findings
The Department conducted a
referendum among eligible producers
and importers of mushrooms from July
6, 2009 through July 17, 2009, to
determine whether they favor to amend
provisions of the Mushroom Promotion,
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Research, and Consumer Information
Order to reapportion membership of the
Mushroom Council to reflect shifts in
United States mushroom production as
well as to add language to the powers
and duties section of the Order allowing
the Council the power to develop and
propose good agricultural and handling
practices and related activities for
mushrooms. The representative period
for establishing voter eligibility was
from January 1, 2007, through December
31, 2008. Mushroom producers and
importers who either produced or
imported, on average, over 500,000
pounds of mushrooms annually during
the representative period were eligible
to vote in the referendum. Eighty-seven
percent of those voting, representing 94
percent of the volume voted in the
referendum favored the amendments to
the Order.
It is determined that a majority of
those who voted favored the
implementation of the Order and that
those voters favoring implementation
represented a majority of the
mushrooms produced and imported by
all voters in the referendum. To become
effective the Order had to be approved
by a majority of producers and
importers voting in the referendum,
which majority, on average, annually
produced and imported into the United
States more than 50 percent of the
mushrooms annually produced and
imported by all those voting in the
referendum.
After consideration of all relevant
matters presented including the
comments received, and referendum
results, it is hereby found that this rule
is consistent with the provisions of the
Mushroom Promotion, Research, and
Consumer Information Act of 1990 as
amended and therefore should be
adopted as a final rule.
pwalker on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with RULES
Additional Findings
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553, it is also
found that good cause exists for not
postponing the effective date of this
action until one day after publication in
the Federal Register because the
Council’s term of office would begin
January 1, 2010, and end December 31,
2012; and this rule will allow the
upcoming nominations and
appointments to be conducted in a
timely manner for the new members to
be appointed to the Council so they can
begin during the next term of office.
VerDate Nov<24>2008
16:30 Oct 01, 2009
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List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 1209
Administrative practice and
procedure, Advertising, Consumer
information, Marketing agreements,
Mushroom promotion, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
■ For the reasons set forth in the
preamble, 7 CFR part 1209 of the Code
of Federal Regulations is amended as
follows:
PART 1209—MUSHROOM
PROMOTION, RESEARCH, AND
CONSUMER INFORMATION ORDER
1. The authority citation for 7 CFR
part 1209 continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 6101–6112; 7 U.S.C.
7401.
2. In § 1209.30, paragraphs (a), (b), (c),
(d), and (e) are revised to read as
follows:
■
§ 1209.30
Establishment and membership.
(a) There is hereby established a
Mushroom Council of not less than four
or more than nine members. The
Council shall be composed of producers
appointed by the Secretary under
§ 1209.33, except that, as provided in
paragraph (c) of this section, importers
shall be appointed by the Secretary to
the Council under § 1209.33 once
imports, on average, reach at least
50,000,000 pounds of mushrooms
annually.
(b) For purposes of nominating and
appointing producers to the Council, the
United States shall be divided into three
geographic regions and the number of
Council members from each region shall
be as follows:
(1) Region 1: All other States
including the District of Columbia and
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
except for Pennsylvania and
California—2 Members.
(2) Region 2: The State of
Pennsylvania—4 Members.
(3) Region 3: The State of California—
2 Members.
(c) Importers shall be represented by
a single, separate region, referred to as
Region 4, consisting of the United States
when imports, on average, equal or
exceed 50,000,000 pounds of
mushrooms annually.
(d) At least every five years, and not
more than every three years, the Council
shall review changes in the geographic
distribution of mushroom production
PO 00000
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50919
volume throughout the United States
and import volume, using the average
annual mushroom production and
imports over the preceding four years,
and, based on such review, shall
recommend to the Secretary
reapportionment of the regions
established in paragraph (b) of this
section, or modification of the number
of members from such regions, as
determined under the rules established
in paragraph (e), of this section or both,
as necessary to best reflect the
geographic distribution of mushroom
production volume in the United States
and representation of imports, if
applicable.
(e) Subject to the nine-member
maximum limitation, the following
procedure will be used to determine the
number of members for each region to
serve on the Council under paragraph
(d) of this section:
(1) Each region that produces, on
average, at least 50,000,000 pounds of
mushrooms annually shall be entitled to
one representative on the Council.
(2) As provided in paragraph (c) of
this section, importers shall be
represented by a single, separate region,
which shall be entitled to one
representative, if such region imports,
on average, at least 50,000,000 pounds
of mushrooms annually.
(3) If the annual production of a
region is greater than 110,000,000
pounds, but less than or equal to
180,000,000 pounds, the region shall be
represented by 1 additional member.
(4) If the annual production of a
region is greater than 180,000,000
pounds, but less than or equal to
260,000,000 pounds, the region shall be
represented by 2 additional members.
(5) If the annual production of a
region is greater than 260,000,000
pounds, the region shall be represented
by 3 additional members.
(6) Should, in the aggregate, regions
be entitled to levels of representation
under paragraphs (e)(1), (2), (3), (4) and
(5) of this section that would exceed the
nine-member limit on the Council under
the Act, the seat or seats assigned shall
be assigned to that region or those
regions with greater on-average
production or import volume than the
other regions otherwise eligible at that
increment level.
*
*
*
*
*
E:\FR\FM\02OCR1.SGM
02OCR1
50920
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 190 / Friday, October 2, 2009 / Rules and Regulations
3. In § 1209.38, paragraphs (l) and (m)
are redesignated as paragraphs (m) and
(n) respectively and new paragraph (l) is
added to read as follows:
■
§ 1209.38
Powers.
*
*
*
*
*
(l) To develop and propose to the
Secretary programs for good agricultural
and good handling practices and related
activities for mushrooms.
*
*
*
*
*
§ 1209.230
[Removed and Reserved]
4. Section 1209.230 is removed and
reserved.
■
Dated: September 28, 2009.
Rayne Pegg,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing
Service.
[FR Doc. E9–23777 Filed 10–1–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–02–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 95
[Docket No. 30689; Amdt. No. 483]
IFR Altitudes; Miscellaneous
Amendments
AGENCY: Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
This amendment adopts
miscellaneous amendments to the
required IFR (instrument flight rules)
altitudes and changeover points for
certain Federal airways, jet routes, or
direct routes for which a minimum or
maximum en route authorized IFR
altitude is prescribed. This regulatory
action is needed because of changes
occurring in the National Airspace
System. These changes are designed to
provide for the safe and efficient use of
SUMMARY:
the navigable airspace under instrument
conditions in the affected areas.
DATES: Effective Date: 0901 UTC,
October 22, 2009.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Harry Hodges, Flight Procedure
Standards Branch (AMCAFS–420),
Flight Technologies and Programs
Division, Flight Standards Service,
Federal Aviation Administration, Mike
Monroney Aeronautical Center, 6500
South MacArthur Blvd., Oklahoma City,
OK 73169 (Mail Address: P.O. Box
25082, Oklahoma City, OK 73125)
telephone: (405) 954–4164.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
amendment to part 95 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 95)
amends, suspends, or revokes IFR
altitudes governing the operation of all
aircraft in flight over a specified route
or any portion of that route, as well as
the changeover points (COPs) for
Federal airways, jet routes, or direct
routes as prescribed in part 95.
The Rule
The specified IFR altitudes, when
used in conjunction with the prescribed
changeover points for those routes,
ensure navigation aid coverage that is
adequate for safe flight operations and
free of frequency interference. The
reasons and circumstances that create
the need for this amendment involve
matters of flight safety and operational
efficiency in the National Airspace
System, are related to published
aeronautical charts that are essential to
the user, and provide for the safe and
efficient use of the navigable airspace.
In addition, those various reasons or
circumstances require making this
amendment effective before the next
scheduled charting and publication date
of the flight information to assure its
timely availability to the user. The
effective date of this amendment reflects
those considerations. In view of the
close and immediate relationship
between these regulatory changes and
safety in air commerce, I find that notice
and public procedure before adopting
this amendment are impracticable and
contrary to the public interest and that
good cause exists for making the
amendment effective in less than 30
days.
Conclusion
The FAA has determined that this
regulation only involves an established
body of technical regulations for which
frequent and routine amendments are
necessary to keep them operationally
current. It, therefore—(1) is not a
‘‘significant regulatory action’’ under
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a
‘‘significant rule’’ under DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44
FR 11034; February 26, 1979); and (3)
does not warrant preparation of a
regulatory evaluation as the anticipated
impact is so minimal. For the same
reason, the FAA certifies that this
amendment will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities under the
criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 95
Airspace, Navigation (air).
Issued in Washington, DC, on September
25, 2009.
John M. Allen,
Director, Flight Standards Service.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority
delegated to me by the Administrator,
part 95 of the Federal Aviation
Regulations (14 CFR part 95) is
amended as follows effective at 0901
UTC, October 22, 2009.
■ 1. The authority citation for part 95
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40103, 40106,
40113, 40114, 40120, 44502, 44514, 44719,
44721.
2. Part 95 is amended to read as
follows:
■
REVISIONS TO IFR ALTITUDES & CHANGEOVER POINTS
[Amendment 483 effective date, October 22, 2009]
From
To
MEA
pwalker on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with RULES
§ 95.4000 High Altitude RNAV Routes
§ 95.4265 RNAV Route T265 Is Added To Read
Kelsi, IL FIX ......................................................................
* 2300—MOCA
Bullz, IL FIX ......................................................................
* 2600—MOCA
VerDate Nov<24>2008
16:30 Oct 01, 2009
Jkt 220001
PO 00000
Bullz, IL FIX ......................................................................
* 4000
Veena, WI FIX ..................................................................
* 4000
Frm 00006
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
E:\FR\FM\02OCR1.SGM
02OCR1
MAA
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 190 (Friday, October 2, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50915-50920]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-23777]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
7 CFR Part 1209
[Doc. No. AMS-FV-08-0047; FV-08-702-FR]
RIN 0581-AC82
Amendments to Mushroom Promotion, Research, and Consumer
Information Order
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This rule amends provisions of the Mushroom Promotion,
Research, and Consumer Information Order (Order) to reapportion
membership of the Mushroom Council (Council) to reflect shifts in
United States mushroom production as well as to add language to the
powers and duties section of the Order allowing the Council the power
to develop and propose good agricultural and handling practices and
related activities for mushrooms. Section 10104 of the Food,
Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill) amended sections
1925(b)(2) and (c) of the Mushroom Promotion, Research, and Consumer
Information Act of 1990 (Act). Specifically, section 10104 changed the
Act's requirements for geographic regions used to appoint producer
members of the Council from four to three, and adjusted the pounds
required by each region for Council membership, which reallocated
Council member representation in two of the three producer geographic
regions (Regions 1 and 2). Section 10104 also added language to the
powers and duties section of the Act that authorizes the Council to
develop and propose good agricultural practices and related activities
for mushrooms. A referendum was held among eligible mushroom producers
and importers and they voted in favor of the amendments. Therefore,
this rule amends changes to the Order based on the amendments to the
Act.
[[Page 50916]]
DATES: October 5, 2009.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeanette Palmer, Marketing Specialist,
Research and Promotion Branch (RPB), Fruit and Vegetable Programs
(FVP), AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 0632, Stop 0244,
Washington, DC 20250-0244; telephone: (202) 720-9915 or (888) 720-9917
(toll free); or facsimile: (202) 205-2800; or e-mail:
Jeanette.Palmer@ams.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This rule is issued under the Mushroom
Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Order (Order) [7 CFR part
1209]. The Order is authorized under the Mushroom Promotion, Research,
and Consumer Information Act of 1990 (Act) [7 U.S.C. 6101-6112].
A proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on April 7,
2009, [74 FR 15677] with a thirty-day comment period which closed on
May 7, 2009. Three comments were received by the May 7, 2009, deadline.
These comments were discussed in a second proposed rule and referendum
order that was published in the Federal Register on June 5, 2009, [74
FR 26984].
Pursuant to section 1209.300 of the Order, a referendum was
conducted among mushroom producers and importers to determine whether
the reapportion of membership on the Council reflecting shifts in
United States mushroom production as well as to add language to the
powers and duties section of the Order allowing the Council the power
to develop and propose good agricultural and handling practices and
related activities for mushrooms was favored by persons voting in the
referendum.
The representative period for establishing voter eligibility for
the referendum was January 1, 2007, through December 31, 2008. Section
1924(b)(3) of the Act requires that the Order be approved by a majority
of producers and importers voting in the referendum which majority, on
average, annually produces and imports into the United States more than
50 percent of mushrooms annually produced and imported by all those
persons voting in the referendum. Only mushroom producers and importers
who either produced or imported, on average, over 500,000 pounds of
mushrooms annually during the representative period were eligible to
vote in the referendum. Mushroom producers and importers who have
received an exemption from assessment for the entire representative
period were ineligible to vote. The referendum was conducted by mail
ballot from July 6, 2009, through July 17, 2009. Eighty-seven percent
of those voting in the referendum, representing 94 percent of the
volume who voted in the referendum, approved the amendments to the
Order.
Executive Order 12866
This rule has been determined not significant for purposes of
Executive Order 12866 and therefore has not been reviewed by the Office
of Management and Budget (OMB).
Executive Order 12988
This rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil
Justice Reform. The rule is not intended to have a retroactive effect.
Section 1930 of the Act provides that nothing in the Act may be
construed to preempt or supersede any other program relating to
mushroom promotion, research, consumer information, or industry
information organized and operated under the laws of the United States
or any State.
Under section 1927 of the Act, a person subject to an Order may
file a written petition with the Department stating that the Order, any
provision of the Order, or any obligation imposed in connection with
the Order, is not in accordance with the law, and requesting a
modification of the Order or an exemption from the Order. Any petition
filed challenging the Order, any provision of the Order, or any
obligation imposed in connection with the Order, shall be filed within
two years after the effective date of the Order, provision, or
obligation subject to challenge in the petition. The petitioner will
have the opportunity for a hearing on the petition. Thereafter, the
Department will issue a ruling on the petition. The Act provides that
the district court of the United States in any district in which the
petitioner resides or carries on business shall have the jurisdiction
to review a final ruling on the petition, if the petitioner files a
complaint for that purpose not later than 20 days after the date of the
entry of the Department's final ruling.
Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis and Paperwork Reduction Act
In accordance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) [5 U.S.C.
601-612], the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has examined the
economic impact of this rule on small entities that would be affected
by this rule. 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.
The Small Business Administration defines, in 13 CFR part 121,
small agricultural producers as those having annual receipts of no more
than $750,000 and small agricultural service firms (importers) as
having receipts of no more than $7,000,000. There are approximately 107
producers and 18 importers subject to the Order, and thus, eligible to
serve on the Council. The majority of these producers and importers
would not be considered small entities as defined by the Small Business
Administration. Producers and importers of 500,000 pounds or less on
average of mushrooms for the fresh market are exempt from the Order.
The current Order provides for the establishment of a Council
consisting of at least four members and not more than nine members. For
the purpose of nominating and appointing producers to the Council, the
United States was divided into four geographic regions (Regions 1, 2,
3, and 4) with Council member representation allocated for each region
based on the geographic distribution of mushroom production. Currently,
for importers (referred to as Region 5), one Council member seat was
allocated when imports, on average, exceed 35,000,000 pounds of
mushrooms annually. The Order also specifies that the Council will
review--at least every five years and not more than every three years--
the geographic distribution of United States mushroom production volume
and import volume, and recommend changes accordingly.
Section 10104 of the 2008 Farm Bill amended sections 1925(b)(2) and
(c) of the Mushroom Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act
of 1990 [7 U.S.C. 6101-6112]. Specifically, section 10104 reapportioned
the Act's requirements for geographic regions that represent the
geographic distribution of mushroom production in order to appoint
producer members of the Council from four to three, and adjusted the
pounds required by each region (including importers) for Council
membership. This rule changes the current five geographic regions to
four as follows: Region 1--all other States including the District of
Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico except for Pennsylvania
and California; Region 2--the State of Pennsylvania; Region 3--the
State of California; and Region 4--importers. Finally, section 10104
added language to the powers and duties section of the Act that
authorizes the Council to develop and propose good agricultural and
handling practices, and related activities for mushrooms.
In 1990, there were 466 mushroom farms in 26 states, as reported by
the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Mushroom farms,
like many
[[Page 50917]]
other agricultural sectors, have experienced significant consolidation.
In 2007, NASS reported 279 mushroom farms in 18 states. Pennsylvania,
the largest mushroom producing state, produced 332.5 million pounds in
1990. Last year, NASS reported that Pennsylvania produced 496.6 million
pounds accounting for 61 percent of the total volume of sales in the
United States. According to the Council, changing economic conditions
over the past 18 years, coupled with innovations in production methods,
advancements in cold chain management and long-range transportation
options have all contributed to mushroom farming operations becoming
larger, but fewer in number. Currently, there are 107 entities in 11
states which are subject to the Act, and therefore eligible for
nomination to the Council. Several of these entities are owned by
companies which have multiple operations in different states. The Act
states that no more than one member may be appointed to the Council
from nominations submitted by any one producer or importer.
According to NASS, at present 73 percent of all domestic producers
subject to the Act are located in the state of Pennsylvania. The value
of sales for mushrooms shipped from Pennsylvania grew 16 percent from
July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2008. Of the remaining 29 producers subject to
the Act, not located in Pennsylvania, 59 percent reside in the state of
California, with the remaining 12 producers scattered among 9 states.
The value of sales for mushrooms shipped from California increased 8
percent from July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2008, while the value of sales
for mushrooms shipped from the rest of the United States (excluding
Pennsylvania) declined 3 percent. Pennsylvania and California alone
account for 77 percent of all domestic producers subject to the Act and
are growing in terms of fresh pounds produced and shipped, and thus are
likely to remain viable regions for the foreseeable future.
Pennsylvania's designation as one of the three regions in the United
States ensures that it receives representation relative to its
production. With nearly 60 percent of the remaining producers subject
to the Act and growing, California would also benefit from a regional
designation. In reviewing the geographical regions, the Department also
reviewed the importer seats to ensure that importers are adequately
represented based on annual production numbers. Importers have a four
year average annual production from January 1, 2004, through December
31, 2007, of 68 million pounds. Therefore, according to the changes
made to the Act and the changes to the Order, importer representation
on the Council will remain the same.
Section 1925(b)(2) of the Act, Appointments, states that in making
appointments of members to the Council, the Secretary shall take into
account, to the extent practicable, the geographical distribution of
mushroom production throughout the United States, and the comparative
volume of mushrooms imported into the United States.
According to the Council, the reduction in the number of regions
from four to three for domestic production and the increase in pounds
required for seats in each region will more accurately reflect the
current status of mushroom production in the United States.
This rule changes the five current geographic regions as follows:
Region 1--all other States including the District of Columbia and the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico except for Pennsylvania and California;
Region 2--the State of Pennsylvania; Region 3--the State of California;
and Region 4--importers.
In accordance with amendments to the Act, this rule increases the
threshold for regional representation on the Council from a production
average of at least 35 million pounds to at least 50 million pounds
annually. Each region that produces on average, at least 50 million
pounds of mushrooms annually shall be entitled to one representative on
the Council.
This rule also changes the way additional members are appointed to
the Council. Pursuant to the amendments to the Acts made by the 2008
Farm Bill, and subject to the nine-member limit of members on the
Council, the Secretary shall appoint additional members to the Council
from a region that attains additional pounds of production as follows:
(i) If the annual production of a region is greater than
110,000,000 pounds, but less than or equal to 180,000,000 pounds, the
region shall be represented by 1 additional member.
(ii) If the annual production of a region is greater than
180,000,000 pounds, but less than or equal to 260,000,000 pounds, the
region shall be represented by 2 additional members.
(iii) If the annual production of a region is greater than
260,000,000 pounds, the region shall be represented by 3 additional
members.
Should, in the aggregate, regions be entitled to levels of
representation that would exceed the nine-member limit on the Council
under the Act, the seat or seats assigned would be assigned to that
region or those regions with greater on-average production or import
volume than the other regions otherwise eligible at that increment
level.
Section 1925(c) of the Act was also amended by the 2008 Farm Bill
to include language that authorizes the Council to develop and propose
to the Secretary programs for good agricultural and good handling
practices and related activities for mushrooms. Therefore, this rule
amends section 1209.38 of the Order to include the following language:
``to develop and propose to the Secretary programs for good
agricultural and good handling practices and related activities for
mushrooms.''
The overall impact of the amendments will be favorable for
producers and importers because the producers and importers would have
more equitable representation on the Council based on United States
mushroom production volume and import volume.
In accordance with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
regulation [5 CFR part 1320] which implements the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995 [44 U.S.C. Chapter 35], there are no new information
collection requirements contained in this rule because the number of
producer members will remain unchanged at nine producer members. The
information collection requirements have been previously approved by
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB control number
0581-0093.
The Department has not identified any relevant Federal rules that
duplicate, overlap, or conflict with this rule.
Background
The Order is authorized under the Mushroom Promotion, Research, and
Consumer Information Act of 1990 [7 U.S.C. 6101-6112], and is
administered by the Council. Under the Order, the Council administers a
nationally coordinated program of research, development, and
information designed to strengthen the fresh mushroom's position in the
market place and to establish, maintain, and expand markets for fresh
mushrooms. The program is financed by an assessment of $0.005 cents per
pound on any person who produces or imports over 500,000 pounds of
mushrooms for the fresh market annually. Under the Order, handlers
collect and remit producer assessments to the Council, and assessments
paid by importers are collected and remitted by the United States
Customs and Border Protection.
The Order provides for the establishment of a Council consisting of
[[Page 50918]]
at least four members and not more than nine members. For the purpose
of nominating and appointing producers to the Council, the United
States was divided into four geographic regions (Regions 1, 2, 3, and
4) with Council member representation allocated for each region based
on the geographic distribution of mushroom production. For importers
(referred to as Region 5), one Council member seat was allocated when
imports, on average, exceeds 35 million pounds of mushrooms annually.
Section 1209.30(d) of the Order provides that at least every five
years, and not more than every three years, the Council shall review
changes in the geographic distribution of mushroom production volume
throughout the United States and import volume, using the average
annual mushroom production and imports over the preceding four years.
Based on the review, the Council is required to recommend
reapportionment of the regions or modification of the number of members
from such regions, or both, to reflect shifts in the geographic
distribution of mushroom production volume and importer representation.
Based on the amendments to the Act made by section 10104 of the
Farm Bill, and a review of United States mushroom production volume and
import volume, this rule changes the current five regions to four as
follows: Region 1--all other States including the District of Columbia
and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico except for Pennsylvania and
California; Region 2--the State of Pennsylvania; Region 3--the State of
California; and Region 4--importers.
The current Order also provides that each producer region that
produces, on average, at least 35 million pounds of mushrooms annually
is entitled to one member. The current Order also states that importers
shall be represented by a single, separate region, and are also
entitled to one representative, if on average, at least 35 million
pounds of mushrooms are imported annually. Further, the current Order
states that each region shall be entitled to representation by an
additional Council member for each 50 million pounds of annual
production or imports, on average, in excess of the initial 35 million
pounds required to qualify the region for representation, until the
nine seats on the Council are filled. Section 1209.12 of the Order
provides that ``on average'' means a rolling average of production or
imports during the last two fiscal years, or such other period as may
be determined by the Secretary. For purposes of this rule, and as
provided under the Order, ``on average'' reflects a rolling average of
production or imports during the last four fiscal years.
Section 1209.30(e)(4)(iii) of the current Order, provides that
should regions be entitled to levels of representation that would
exceed the nine-member limit on the Council under the Act, the regions
shall be entitled to representation on the Council as follows: Each
region with 50 million pounds of annual production or imports, on
average, in excess of the initial 35 million pounds required to qualify
the region for representation shall be assigned one additional
representative on the Council, except that if under such assignments
all five regions, counting importers as a region, if applicable, would
be entitled to additional representatives, that region with the
smallest on-average volume, in terms of production or imports, will not
be assigned an additional representative. According to section
1209.30(f) of the current Order, in determining the volume of mushrooms
produced in the United States or imported into the United States, the
Council and the Secretary shall: (1) Only consider mushrooms produced
or imported by producers and importers, respectively, as those terms
are defined in sections 1209.8 and 1209.15; and (2) used the
information received by the Council under section 1209.60, and data
published by the Department.
In addition, the current Order provides that if after members are
assigned to the regions, less than the entire nine seats on the Council
have been assigned to regions, the remaining seats on the Council shall
be assigned to each region for each 50 million pound increment of
annual production or import volume, on average, in excess of 85 million
pounds until all the seats are filled. If for any such 50 million pound
increment, more regions are eligible for seats than there are seats
available, the seat or seats assigned for such increment shall be
assigned to that region or those regions with greater on-average
production or import volume than the other regions otherwise eligible
at that increment level.
Pursuant to the amendments made to the Act made by the 2008 Farm
Bill, this rule increases the threshold for regional representation on
the Council from a production average of at least 35 million pounds to
at least 50 million pounds annually. Each region that produces on
average, at least 50 million pounds of mushrooms annually shall be
entitled to one representative on the Council.
In addition, this rule changes language in the Order regarding how
additional members are added to the Council. Additional members from
each region that attains additional pounds of production would now be
appointed to the Council as follows:
(i) If the annual production of a region is greater than
110,000,000 pounds, but less than or equal to 180,000,000 pounds, the
region shall be represented by 1 additional member.
(ii) If the annual production of a region is greater than
180,000,000 pounds, but less than or equal to 260,000,000 pounds, the
region shall be represented by 2 additional members.
(iii) If the annual production of a region is greater than
260,000,000 pounds, the region shall be represented by 3 additional
members.
This amendment to the Order changes the number of regions and
Council member representatives as follows: Region 1--all other States
including the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
except for Pennsylvania and California; Region 2--the State of
Pennsylvania; Region 3--the State of California; and Region 4--
importers.
Should, in the aggregate, regions be entitled to levels of
representation that would exceed the nine-member limit on the Council
under the Act, the seat or seats assigned shall be assigned to that
region or those regions with greater on-average production or import
volume than the other regions otherwise eligible at that increment
level.
Section 1925(c) of the Act was also amended by the 2008 Farm Bill
to insert language allowing the Council to develop and propose to the
Secretary programs for good agricultural and good handling practices
and related activities for mushrooms. Therefore, this rule amends
section 1209.38 of the Order to include the following line: ``to
develop and propose to the Secretary programs for good agricultural and
good handling practices and related activities for mushrooms.''
Finally, this rule terminates section 1209.230 of the regulations
concerning reallocation of Council members.
The Department published the proposal for public comment in the
April 7, 2009, Federal Register [74 FR 15677]. Three comments were
received by the May 7, 2009, deadline. These comments were discussed in
the June 5, 2009, proposed rule published in the Federal Register [74
FR 26984] which included a Referendum Order.
General Findings
The Department conducted a referendum among eligible producers and
importers of mushrooms from July 6, 2009 through July 17, 2009, to
determine whether they favor to amend provisions of the Mushroom
Promotion,
[[Page 50919]]
Research, and Consumer Information Order to reapportion membership of
the Mushroom Council to reflect shifts in United States mushroom
production as well as to add language to the powers and duties section
of the Order allowing the Council the power to develop and propose good
agricultural and handling practices and related activities for
mushrooms. The representative period for establishing voter eligibility
was from January 1, 2007, through December 31, 2008. Mushroom producers
and importers who either produced or imported, on average, over 500,000
pounds of mushrooms annually during the representative period were
eligible to vote in the referendum. Eighty-seven percent of those
voting, representing 94 percent of the volume voted in the referendum
favored the amendments to the Order.
It is determined that a majority of those who voted favored the
implementation of the Order and that those voters favoring
implementation represented a majority of the mushrooms produced and
imported by all voters in the referendum. To become effective the Order
had to be approved by a majority of producers and importers voting in
the referendum, which majority, on average, annually produced and
imported into the United States more than 50 percent of the mushrooms
annually produced and imported by all those voting in the referendum.
After consideration of all relevant matters presented including the
comments received, and referendum results, it is hereby found that this
rule is consistent with the provisions of the Mushroom Promotion,
Research, and Consumer Information Act of 1990 as amended and therefore
should be adopted as a final rule.
Additional Findings
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553, it is also found that good cause exists
for not postponing the effective date of this action until one day
after publication in the Federal Register because the Council's term of
office would begin January 1, 2010, and end December 31, 2012; and this
rule will allow the upcoming nominations and appointments to be
conducted in a timely manner for the new members to be appointed to the
Council so they can begin during the next term of office.
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 1209
Administrative practice and procedure, Advertising, Consumer
information, Marketing agreements, Mushroom promotion, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
0
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 7 CFR part 1209 of the Code
of Federal Regulations is amended as follows:
PART 1209--MUSHROOM PROMOTION, RESEARCH, AND CONSUMER INFORMATION
ORDER
0
1. The authority citation for 7 CFR part 1209 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 6101-6112; 7 U.S.C. 7401.
0
2. In Sec. 1209.30, paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e) are revised
to read as follows:
Sec. 1209.30 Establishment and membership.
(a) There is hereby established a Mushroom Council of not less than
four or more than nine members. The Council shall be composed of
producers appointed by the Secretary under Sec. 1209.33, except that,
as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, importers shall be
appointed by the Secretary to the Council under Sec. 1209.33 once
imports, on average, reach at least 50,000,000 pounds of mushrooms
annually.
(b) For purposes of nominating and appointing producers to the
Council, the United States shall be divided into three geographic
regions and the number of Council members from each region shall be as
follows:
(1) Region 1: All other States including the District of Columbia
and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico except for Pennsylvania and
California--2 Members.
(2) Region 2: The State of Pennsylvania--4 Members.
(3) Region 3: The State of California--2 Members.
(c) Importers shall be represented by a single, separate region,
referred to as Region 4, consisting of the United States when imports,
on average, equal or exceed 50,000,000 pounds of mushrooms annually.
(d) At least every five years, and not more than every three years,
the Council shall review changes in the geographic distribution of
mushroom production volume throughout the United States and import
volume, using the average annual mushroom production and imports over
the preceding four years, and, based on such review, shall recommend to
the Secretary reapportionment of the regions established in paragraph
(b) of this section, or modification of the number of members from such
regions, as determined under the rules established in paragraph (e), of
this section or both, as necessary to best reflect the geographic
distribution of mushroom production volume in the United States and
representation of imports, if applicable.
(e) Subject to the nine-member maximum limitation, the following
procedure will be used to determine the number of members for each
region to serve on the Council under paragraph (d) of this section:
(1) Each region that produces, on average, at least 50,000,000
pounds of mushrooms annually shall be entitled to one representative on
the Council.
(2) As provided in paragraph (c) of this section, importers shall
be represented by a single, separate region, which shall be entitled to
one representative, if such region imports, on average, at least
50,000,000 pounds of mushrooms annually.
(3) If the annual production of a region is greater than
110,000,000 pounds, but less than or equal to 180,000,000 pounds, the
region shall be represented by 1 additional member.
(4) If the annual production of a region is greater than
180,000,000 pounds, but less than or equal to 260,000,000 pounds, the
region shall be represented by 2 additional members.
(5) If the annual production of a region is greater than
260,000,000 pounds, the region shall be represented by 3 additional
members.
(6) Should, in the aggregate, regions be entitled to levels of
representation under paragraphs (e)(1), (2), (3), (4) and (5) of this
section that would exceed the nine-member limit on the Council under
the Act, the seat or seats assigned shall be assigned to that region or
those regions with greater on-average production or import volume than
the other regions otherwise eligible at that increment level.
* * * * *
[[Page 50920]]
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3. In Sec. 1209.38, paragraphs (l) and (m) are redesignated as
paragraphs (m) and (n) respectively and new paragraph (l) is added to
read as follows:
Sec. 1209.38 Powers.
* * * * *
(l) To develop and propose to the Secretary programs for good
agricultural and good handling practices and related activities for
mushrooms.
* * * * *
Sec. 1209.230 [Removed and Reserved]
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4. Section 1209.230 is removed and reserved.
Dated: September 28, 2009.
Rayne Pegg,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. E9-23777 Filed 10-1-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P