Watermelon Research and Promotion Plan; Importer Membership Requirements and Referendum Order, 64408-64412 [2013-25155]

Agencies

• Agricultural Marketing Service
• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 209 (Tuesday, October 29, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 64408-64412]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-25155]


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Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 209 / Tuesday, October 29, 2013 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 64408]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 1210

[Document Number AMS-FV-11-0031]


Watermelon Research and Promotion Plan; Importer Membership 
Requirements and Referendum Order

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule and referendum order.

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SUMMARY: This proposed rule would amend the Watermelon Research and 
Promotion Plan (Plan) importer membership requirements to serve on the 
National Watermelon Promotion Board (Board). The Board recommended 
eliminating the requirement that an importer import more than 50 
percent of the total volume handled and imported in order to qualify as 
an importer member. This change would allow for additional parties to 
qualify as an importer member. This proposed rule also announces that 
the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA or Department) will conduct a 
referendum among eligible producers, handlers, and importers of 
watermelons to determine whether they favor the amendment to the Plan.

DATES: The voting period for the referendum will be from January 13, 
2014 through January 27, 2014. To be eligible to vote, persons must 
have produced, handled, or imported watermelons during the 
representative period from January 1, through December 31, 2012, and 
must currently be a producer, handler, or importer of watermelons. 
Additionally, producers must be engaged in the growing of 10 acres or 
more of watermelons and importers must import 150,000 or more pounds of 
watermelons annually. Importers who import less than 150,000 pounds of 
watermelons annually and did not apply for and receive reimbursements 
of assessments during the representative period are eligible to vote in 
the referendum. The referendum will be conducted by mail ballot. 
Ballots must be received by the referendum agents no later than the 
close of business 4:30 p.m., Eastern daylight-standard time, January 
27, 2014, to be counted.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the proposed amendment may be obtained from: 
Referendum Agent, Promotion and Economics Division, Fruit and Vegetable 
Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Stop 0244, Room 1406-
S, Washington, DC 20250-0244; telephone: (888) 720-9917 (toll free); 
fax: (202) 205-2800; or it can be viewed at www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeanette Palmer, Marketing Specialist, 
Promotion and Economics Division, Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS, 
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Stop 0244, 1400 Independence Avenue 
SW., Room 1406-S, Washington, DC 20250-0244; telephone: (888) 720-9917 
(toll free); Direct line: 202-720-9915; facsimile: (202) 205-2800; or 
electronic mail: Jeanette.Palmer@ams.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This rule is issued under the Watermelon 
Research and Promotion Plan [7 CFR part 1210]. The Plan is authorized 
under the Watermelon Research and Promotion Act (Act) [7 U.S.C. 4901-
4916].
    A proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on February 
13, 2013 [78 FR 10104], with a thirty-day comment period which closed 
on March 15, 2013.
    Pursuant to section 1655 of the Act, a referendum will be conducted 
among watermelon producers, handlers, and importers to determine 
whether they favor amending the Plan to eliminate the requirement that 
an importer import more than 50 percent of the total volume handled and 
imported in order to qualify as an importer member.
    The representative period for establishing voter eligibility for 
the referendum shall be the period from January 1 through December 31, 
2012. Section 1653(b) of the Act requires that the amendment be 
approved by a majority of watermelon producers, handlers, and importers 
voting in the referendum. Only producers of 10 acres or more of 
watermelons, watermelon handlers, and importers of 150,000 or more 
pounds of watermelons annually, and importers who import less than 
150,000 pounds of watermelons annually and who did not apply for and 
receive reimbursements of assessments during the representative period 
will be eligible to vote in the referendum. The referendum shall be 
conducted by mail ballot from January 13, 2014 through January 27, 
2014. Ballots must be received by the referendum agents no later than 
the close of business 4:30 p.m., Eastern daylight-standard time, 
January 27, 2014, to be counted.

Executive Order 12866 and Executive Order 13563

    Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess all 
costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if 
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize 
net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public 
health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). Executive 
Order 13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and 
benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting 
flexibility. This rule has been designated as a ``non-significant 
regulatory action'' under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866. 
Accordingly, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has waived the 
review process.

Executive Order 13175

    This action has been reviewed in accordance with the requirements 
of Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian 
Tribal Governments. The review revealed that this regulation would not 
have substantial and direct effects on Tribal governments and would not 
have significant Tribal implications.

Executive Order 12988

    In addition, this rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 
12988, Civil Justice Reform. The rule is not intended to have 
retroactive effect.
    The Act allows producers, producer-packers, handlers, and importers 
to file a written petition with the Secretary of Agriculture 
(Secretary) if they believe that the Plan, any provision of the Plan, 
or any obligation imposed in connection with the Plan, is not 
established in accordance with the law. In any petition, the person may 
request a modification of the Plan or an

[[Page 64409]]

exemption from the Plan. The petitioner will have the opportunity for a 
hearing on the petition. Afterwards, an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) 
will issue a decision. If the petitioner disagrees with the ALJ's 
ruling, the petitioner has 30 days to appeal to the Judicial Officer, 
who will issue a ruling on behalf of the Secretary. If the petitioner 
disagrees with the Secretary's ruling, the petitioner may file, within 
20 days, an appeal in the U.S. District Court for the district where 
the petitioner resides or conducts business.

Regulatory Flexibility Act and Paperwork Reduction Act

    In accordance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) [5 U.S.C. 
601-612], AMS has examined the economic impact of this rule on the 
small producers, handlers, and importers that would be affected by this 
rule. The purpose of the RFA is to fit regulatory actions to the scale 
of businesses 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 (handlers and 
importers) as those having annual receipts of no more than $7 million. 
Under these definitions, the majority of the producers, handlers, and 
importers that would be affected by this rule would be considered small 
entities. Producers of less than 10 acres of watermelons are exempt 
from this program. Importers of less than 150,000 pounds of watermelons 
per year are also exempt.
    USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) data for the 
2012 crop year indicates that about 306 hundredweight (cwt.) of 
watermelons were produced per acre within the United States. The 2012 
grower price published by NASS was $13.30 per hundredweight. Thus, the 
value of watermelon production per acre in 2012 averaged about $4,070 
(306 cwt. x $13.30). At that average price, a producer would have to 
farm over 184 acres to receive an annual income from watermelons of 
$750,000 ($750,000 divided by $4,070 per acre equals 184). Accordingly, 
as previously noted, a majority of the watermelon producers would be 
classified as small businesses.
    Based on the Board's data, using an average of the free on board 
(f.o.b.) price of $.181 per pound and the number of pounds handled in 
2012, none of the watermelon handlers had receipts over the $7 million 
threshold. Therefore, the watermelon handlers would all be considered 
small businesses. A handler would have to ship over 38 million pounds 
of watermelons to be considered large (38,674,033 times $.181 f.o.b. 
equals $7 million).
    According to the Board, there are approximately 950 producers, 230 
handlers, and 137 importers who are required to pay assessments under 
the program.
    Based on the watermelon import assessments received for the year 
2012, the United States imported watermelons worth over $237 million. 
The largest volume of watermelon imports came from Mexico which 
accounted for 86 percent of the total volume in 2012. Other suppliers 
of imported watermelons are Guatemala at 9 percent and Honduras at 2 
percent. The remaining 3 percent of imported watermelons came from 
Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Canada, Dominican Republic, and Panama.
    Based on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Customs) and Board 
data, it is estimated that there are about 201 importers of watermelon. 
Not all of these importers are required to pay assessments under the 
program. Using 2012 Customs data, all of the importers import less than 
$7.0 million worth of watermelon annually. Therefore, all of the 
watermelon importers would be considered small entities.
    The Board's audit records show import assessments for the calendar 
years 2010, 2011, and 2012 at $746,043, $855,890, and $824,897 
respectively. Based on this data, the three-year average of import 
assessments for watermelon totals $808,943 ($2,426,830 divided by 3). 
This represents approximately 30 percent of the total assessments paid 
to the Board. Currently, the Board membership distribution consists of 
14 producers, 14 handlers, 8 importers, and 1 public member. A final 
rule that increased the number of importers on the Board was published 
in the July 18, 2011, Federal Register [76 FR 42009].
    The Watermelon Research and Promotion Improvement Act of 1993 
amended the Watermelon Research and Promotion Act by adding importer 
members to the Board, among other things. At that time the industry 
recommended that, in order to qualify as an importer member on the 
Board, an individual that both handles and imports watermelons may vote 
for importer members and serve as an importer member if that person 
imports 50 percent or more of the combined total volume of watermelons 
handled and imported by that person. A final rule was published in the 
Federal Register on February 28, 1995 [60 FR 10795] containing this and 
other amendments to the program.
    At the time of this amendment there was a more clear division of 
roles among producers, handlers, and importers. In other words, those 
individuals that imported watermelons did not cross over into handling 
or producing watermelons as much as they do now. Since then, the 
industry has become more consolidated and of the 137 importers required 
to pay assessments, 42 also handle watermelons and would be eligible to 
serve as either handler or importer member.
    At its February 26, 2011, meeting, the Board voted unanimously, to 
modify the importer eligibility requirements to serve on the Board. The 
Board is having difficulty finding eligible importers to serve on the 
Board because of the requirement in the Plan that a person who both 
imports and handles watermelons will be counted as an importer only if 
that person imports 50 percent or more of the combined total volume of 
watermelons handled and imported by that person. The Board voted to 
eliminate the 50 percent or more requirement of the combined total 
volume of watermelons handled and imported by a person to allow more 
individuals to become eligible to serve on the Board as an importer. 
Individuals that both handle and import would be allowed to decide 
which part of the industry they would prefer to represent regardless of 
the volume handled or imported. The industry believes that this change 
would increase the importer representation on the Board by allowing 
more individuals to be eligible to serve. This action may also increase 
diversity on the Board.
    The Board considered a second alternative to change the 50 percent 
or more of the combined total volume of watermelons handled and 
imported by the person to 25 percent or more of the combined total 
volume of watermelons handled and imported by the person. However, the 
Board did not choose this option because they wanted to allow more 
importers to be eligible for nomination on the Board and found this 
purpose better served if they eliminated the percentage requirement 
altogether. By eliminating the percentage requirement for the importer 
member, this will allow for smaller importer businesses to become 
eligible to serve as an importer member on the Board.
    Section 1655 of the Act provides for referenda to be conducted to 
ascertain approval of changes to the Plan prior to going into effect. 
In order to implement the amendment to the Plan, the Secretary must 
determine that the

[[Page 64410]]

amendment to the Plan has been approved by a majority of the producers, 
handlers, and importers of watermelons voting in the referendum. 
Accordingly, before this amendment is made to the Plan, a referendum 
will be conducted among eligible producers, handlers, and importers of 
watermelons.
    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], the information collection and 
recordkeeping requirements that are imposed by the Plan have been 
approved previously and assigned OMB number 0581-0093, except that the 
background form, has been approved under OMB number 0505-0001.
    AMS is committed to complying with the E-Government Act, to promote 
the use of the Internet and other information technologies to provide 
increased opportunities for citizen access to Government information 
and services, and for other programs.
    USDA has not identified any relevant Federal rules that duplicate, 
overlap, or conflict with this rule.
    We have performed this Regulatory Flexibility Analysis regarding 
the impact of this amendment to the Plan on small entities, and we did 
not receive any comments on the analysis. Additionally, the estimated 
numbers in the RFA represents the total universe of watermelon 
producers, handlers, and importers and not those who may be eligible to 
vote in the referendum.

Background

    Under the Plan, the Board administers a nationally coordinated 
program of research, development, advertising, and promotion designed 
to strengthen the watermelon's position in the market place and to 
establish, maintain, and expand markets for watermelons. This program 
is financed by assessments on producers growing 10 acres or more of 
watermelons, handlers of watermelons, and importers of 150,000 pounds 
of watermelons or more per year. The Plan specifies that handlers are 
responsible for collecting and submitting both the producer and handler 
assessments to the Board, reporting their handling of watermelons, and 
maintaining records necessary to verify their reports. Importers are 
responsible for payment of assessments to the Board on watermelons 
imported into the United States through the U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection. This action would not have any impact on the assessment 
rates paid by producers, handlers, and importers.
    Membership on the Board consists of two producers and two handlers 
for each of the seven districts established by the Plan, at least one 
importer, and one public member. The Board currently consists of 37 
members: 14 producers, 14 handlers, 8 importers, and 1 public member. A 
final rule to increase the number of importers on the Board was 
published in the July 18, 2011, Federal Register [76 FR 42009].
    The Watermelon Research and Promotion Improvement Act of 1993 
amended the Watermelon Research and Promotion Act by adding importer 
members to the Board, among other things. At that time the industry 
recommended that, in order to qualify as an importer member on the 
Board, an individual that both handles and imports watermelons may vote 
for importer members and serve as an importer member if that person 
imports 50 percent or more of the combined total volume of watermelons 
handled and imported by that person. A final rule was published in the 
Federal Register on February 28, 1995 [60 FR 10795] containing this and 
other amendments to the program. At the time of this amendment there 
was a more clear division of roles among producers, handlers, and 
importers. In other words, those individuals that imported watermelons 
did not cross over into handling or producing watermelons as much as 
they do now. Since then, the industry has become more consolidated and 
of the 137 importers required to pay assessments 42 also handle 
watermelons and would be eligible to serve as either a handler or 
importer member.
    At its February 26, 2011, meeting, the Board voted unanimously to 
modify the importer eligibility requirements to serve on the Board. The 
Board is having difficulty finding eligible importers to serve on the 
Board because of the requirement in the Plan that a person who both 
imports and handles watermelon will be counted as an importer if that 
person imports 50 percent or more of the combined total volume of 
watermelons handled and imported by that person. The Board voted to 
eliminate the 50 percent or more requirement of the combined total 
volume of watermelons handled and imported by a person to allow more 
individuals to become eligible to serve on the Board as an importer. 
Individuals that both handle and import would be allowed to decide 
which part of the industry they would prefer to represent regardless of 
the volume handled or imported. The industry believes that this change 
would increase the importer representation on the Board by allowing 
more individuals to be eligible to serve. This action may also increase 
diversity on the Board.
    Accordingly, the proposed rule would amend sections 1210.321(d) and 
1210.404(g) which reference importer eligibility requirements to be 
nominated to the Board. These sections would be revised to specify that 
a person who both imports and handles watermelons may participate in 
the nomination process and serve on the Board as either an importer or 
handler, but not both.
    Also, sections 1210.363(b) and 1210.602(a) as published in the 
proposed rule have been modified to remove unnecessary language. These 
sections pertain to referenda; the language removed does not affect the 
way the referendum will be conducted or how the results will be 
determined. Thus, the changes to sections 1210.363(b) and 1210.602(a) 
will not be voted on in the referendum.
    For the changes to sections 1210.321(d) and 1210.404(g) of the Plan 
to become effective, the proposed amendment must be approved by a 
majority of eligible producers, handlers, and importers of watermelons 
voting in a referendum. Only producers of 10 acres or more of 
watermelons; watermelon handlers, and importers of 150,000 or more 
pounds of watermelons annually, and importers who import less than 
150,000 pounds of watermelons annually and did not apply for and 
receive reimbursements of assessments during the representative period 
will be eligible to vote in the referendum. Accordingly, a referendum 
will be conducted among eligible producers, handlers, and importers of 
watermelons. The referendum will be conducted by mail ballot from 
January 13, 2014 through January 27, 2014. Ballots must be received by 
the referendum agents no later than the close of business 4:30 p.m., 
Eastern daylight-standard time, January 27, 2014, to be counted.
    A thirty-day comment period was provided to allow interested 
persons to respond to this proposal which was published in the Federal 
Register on February 13, 2013 [78 FR 10104]. Copies of the rule were 
made available through the Internet by the Department and the Office of 
the Federal Register. Additionally, the Board prepared a PowerPoint 
presentation on the proposed rule that was distributed through 
electronic mail to several watermelon State associations (Florida, 
North Carolina, South Carolina, Delaware, Maryland, Indiana and 
Illinois) and sent to the producers, handlers, and importers in its 
database. Also, the proposed rule was available on the Board's Web site 
and it was

[[Page 64411]]

published on a news Web site. The comment period ended March 13, 2013. 
Sixteen comments were received by the deadline.

Summary of Comments

    Of the 16 comments received, 14 comments supported the proposed 
amendment. One comment was opposed to the watermelon program in general 
and was not within the scope of this rulemaking action. One comment 
discussed how the amendments were presented and made recommendations on 
writing the regulation so it is easier for the public to understand.
    In general, commenters supporting the amendment stated the change 
would allow more importers to be eligible to serve on the Board. One 
commenter stated this would allow the Board to fill vacant seats on the 
Board with qualified individuals who are interested in serving the 
watermelon industry.
    One commenter who supported the importer requirement change 
recommended adding a clause that the eligible importer should not 
import less than 10 percent of their total combined volume imported and 
handled. As previously mentioned, the Board considered reducing the 50 
percent requirement to a lower level such as 25 percent, so that 
persons who import and handle watermelons could serve on the Board as 
an importer if 25 percent of their combined volume was imported. 
However, the Board wants to allow more individuals to serve on the 
Board and thus recommended eliminating the percentage requirement 
altogether. No changes have been made to the proposed rule based on 
this comment.
    Another commenter who supported the proposed change suggested 
adding a clause to prevent a board member who imports less than 10 
percent of watermelons to use their position to steer or direct the 
research and promotion activities to suit their personal needs. There 
are 37 Board members, and each member may vote on all budgets, 
marketing, research, and promotional activities as described in 
sections 1210.325 and 1210.328 of the Plan. Further, any action of the 
Board requires the concurring votes of a majority of those present and 
voting. No changes have been made to the proposed rule based on this 
comment.
    As mentioned above, one commenter recommended writing the 
regulation so that it is easier for the public to understand. The 
Department reviewed the recommendations and adopted some of them as 
discussed in the following paragraphs.
    The commenter suggested that section 1210.321(d) of the Plan 
regarding nominations and selections be revised to be more informative 
and easier to understand. The Department agrees and has simplified the 
last portion of this section as published in the proposed rule to 
specify that all importers may participate in the nomination process. A 
person who both imports and handles watermelons may participate in the 
nomination process and serve on the Board as either an importer or 
handler, but not both.
    The commenter also suggested that section 1210.363(b) of the Plan 
which discusses suspension and termination be clarified. The Department 
agrees and has simplified the section to remove unnecessary language. 
The language removed does not affect the way the referendum will be 
conducted or how the results will be determined. Thus, the change to 
section 1210.363(b) will not be voted on in the referendum.
    The commenter also recommended revising the language of section 
1210.404(g) of the Plan which discussed the importer member nomination 
and selection. The Department agrees the language should be clarified 
and has revised the language to specify that a person who both imports 
and handles watermelons may participate in the nomination process and 
serve on the Board as either an importer or handler, but not both.
    The commenter also recommended revising section 1210.602(a) of the 
Plan regarding voting in a referendum. The Department agrees and has 
simplified the section to remove language that is not necessary. The 
language removed does not affect the way the referendum will be 
conducted or how the results will be determined. Thus, the change to 
section 1210.602(b) will not be voted on in the referendum.
    The commenter suggested changing the headings in sections 1210.321, 
1210.363, 1210.404 and 1210.602 to a question format to be more useful 
and easier for the public to understand. Regulations for research and 
promotion programs are used primarily by a sector of the public who are 
industry members familiar with the program or persons who administer 
the program's day-to-day operations. Each program begins with an index 
that lists the sections of each program for ease of reference. Industry 
members and program administrators have found the format useful. 
Changing the format in the manner suggested would cause confusion. 
Thus, no changes to the proposed rule have been made based on this 
comment.
    The commenter also made suggestions to sections that were not 
included in the first proposed rule published in February 2013. The 
commenter recommended replacing the term ``Secretary'' with the name of 
the office or official who takes action on the program. Section 
1210.301 of the Plan defines Secretary to mean not only the Secretary 
of Agriculture, but also any person to whom the Secretary has delegated 
authority. Names of offices and titles change periodically within the 
Department and it would be inefficient and costly to engage in 
rulemaking to revise the terms in the Plan each time. Thus, no changes 
have been made to the proposed rule based on this comment.
    The commenter also recommended using the term ``marketer'' and 
defining it within the regulation to avoid repeating the terms 
``producer,'' ``handler,'' and ``importer.'' The commenter believes 
using the term marketer would be easier for the reader to understand. 
Producers, handlers, and importers perform different roles in the 
industry which are defined in sections 1210.306, 1210.307, and 1210.314 
respectively in the Plan. Producers grow watermelons. Handlers perform 
functions like grading, packing, or processing and placing watermelons 
in channels of commerce. Importers import watermelons into the United 
States. In the field of agriculture, marketers are typically persons 
who sell product into channels of trade. Producers, handlers and 
importers do not all market watermelons, and categorizing all three as 
marketers would likely create confusion in the industry. The terms are 
also consistent with the Watermelon Research and Promotion Act. Thus, 
no changes have been made to the proposed rule based on this comment.
    For the proposed amendments to the Plan and to become effective, 
they must be approved by a majority of the eligible producers, 
handlers, and importers voting in the referendum. The proposed changes 
to the regulations will be made effective, if the proposed amendments 
to the Plan are approved in referendum.
    While the proposal set forth below has not received the approval of 
USDA, it is determined that the proposed amendment is consistent with 
and would effectuate the purposes of the Act.

Referendum Order

    It is hereby directed that a referendum be conducted among eligible 
watermelon producers, handlers, and importers to determine whether they 
favor amending the Watermelon Research and Promotion Plan to eliminate 
the requirement that an importer import more than 50 percent of the 
total volume handled and imported in order to qualify as an importer

[[Page 64412]]

member to serve on the National Watermelon Promotion Board.
    The referendum shall be conducted from January 13, 2014 through 
January 27, 2014. The referendum agents will mail the ballots to be 
cast in the referendum and voting instructions to all known eligible 
watermelon producers, handlers, and importers prior to the first day of 
the voting period. Only producers of 10 acres or more of watermelon; 
watermelon handlers, and importers of 150,000 or more pounds of 
watermelons annually, and importers who import less than 150,000 pounds 
of watermelons annually and did not apply for and receive 
reimbursements of assessments annually during the representative period 
will be eligible to vote in the referendum. Any eligible watermelon 
producers, handlers, and importers who do not receive a ballot should 
contact the referendum agent no later than one week before the end of 
the voting period. Ballots must be received by the referendum agents no 
later than the close of business 4:30 p.m., Eastern daylight-standard 
time, January 27, 2014, to be counted.
    Jeanette Palmer, Sonia Jimenez and Marlene Betts, PED, FVP, AMS, 
USDA, Stop 0244, Room 1406-S, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, 
DC 20250-0244, are designated as the referendum agents of the 
Department to conduct this referendum. The referendum procedures 
specified in sections 1210.600 through 1210.607 of the Plan, which were 
issued pursuant to the Act, shall be used to conduct the referendum.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 1210

    Administrative practice and procedure, Advertising, Consumer 
information, Marketing agreements, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Watermelon promotion.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, part 1210, chapter XI of 
title 7 is proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 1210--WATERMELON RESEARCH AND PROMOTION PLAN

0
1. The authority citation for 7 CFR part 1210 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 4901-4916 and 7 U.S.C. 7401.

0
2. In Sec.  1210.321, paragraph (d) is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  1210.321  Nomination and selection.

* * * * *
    (d) Nominations for importer positions that become vacant may be 
made by mail ballot, nomination conventions, or by other means 
prescribed by the Secretary. The Board shall provide notice of such 
vacancies and the nomination process to all importers through press 
releases and any other available means as well as direct mailing to 
known importers. All importers may participate in the nomination 
process. A person who both imports and handles watermelons may 
participate in the nomination process and serve on the Board as either 
an importer or handler, but not both.
* * * * *
0
3. In Sec.  1210.363, paragraph (b) is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  1210.363  Suspension or termination.

* * * * *
    (b) The Secretary may conduct a referendum at any time and shall 
hold a referendum on request of the Board or at least 10 percent of the 
combined total of the watermelon producers, handlers, and importers to 
determine if watermelon producers, handlers, and importers favor 
termination or suspension of this Plan. The Secretary shall suspend or 
terminate this Plan at the end of the marketing year whenever the 
Secretary determines that the suspension or termination is favored by a 
majority of the watermelon producers, handlers, and importers voting in 
such referendum who, during a representative period determined by the 
Secretary, have been engaged in the production, handling, or importing 
of watermelons and who produced, handled, or imported more than 50 
percent of the combined total of the volume of watermelons produced, 
handled, or imported by those producers, handlers, and importers voting 
in the referendum. Any such referendum shall be conducted by mail 
ballot.
* * * * *
0
4. In Sec.  1210.404, paragraph (g) is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  1210.404  Importer member nomination and selection.

* * * * *
    (g) A person who both imports and handles watermelons may 
participate in the nomination process and serve on the Board as either 
an importer or handler, but not both.
0
5. In Sec.  1210.602, paragraph (a) is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  1210.602  Voting.

    (a) Each person who is an eligible producer, handler, or importer 
as defined in this subpart, at the time of the referendum and who also 
was a producer, handler, or importer during the representative period, 
shall be entitled to one vote in the referendum: Provided, That each 
producer in a landlord-tenant relationship or a divided ownership 
arrangement involving totally independent entities cooperating only to 
produce watermelons in which more than one of the parties is a 
producer, shall be entitled to one vote in the referendum covering only 
that producer's share of the ownership.
* * * * *

    Dated: October 21, 2013.
Rex A. Barnes,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2013-25155 Filed 10-28-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P