Oranges, Grapefruit, Tangerines, and Tangelos Grown in Florida; Continuance Referendum, 15555 [2014-06083]

Agencies

• Agricultural Marketing Service
• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 54 (Thursday, March 20, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 15555]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-06083]


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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. 79, No. 54 / Thursday, March 20, 2014 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 15555]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 905

[Docket No. AMS-FV-14-0008; FV14-905-1 CR]


Oranges, Grapefruit, Tangerines, and Tangelos Grown in Florida; 
Continuance Referendum

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Referendum order.

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SUMMARY: This document directs that a referendum be conducted among 
eligible producers of oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and tangelos 
grown in Florida to determine whether they favor continuance of the 
marketing order regulating the handling of oranges, grapefruit, 
tangerines, and tangelos produced in the production area.

DATES: The referendum will be conducted from April 7 through April 25, 
2014. To vote in this referendum, producers must have produced oranges, 
grapefruit, tangerines, or tangelos within the designated production 
area in Florida for the fresh market during the period of August 1, 
2012, through July 31, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the marketing order may be obtained from the 
referendum agents at 799 Overlook Drive, Winter Haven, FL 33884, or the 
Office of the Docket Clerk, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, 
Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., 
STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; Fax: (202) 720-8938; or Internet: 
www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Corey E. Elliott, Marketing 
Specialist, or Christian D. Nissen, Regional Director, Southeast 
Marketing Field Office, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Fruit 
and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA; Telephone: (863) 324-3375, Fax: (863) 
325-8793, or Email: Corey.Elliott@ams.usda.gov or 
Christian.Nissen@ams.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to Marketing Order No. 905, as 
amended (7 CFR Part 905), hereinafter referred to as the ``order,'' and 
the applicable provisions of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act 
of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674), hereinafter referred to as the 
``Act,'' it is hereby directed that a referendum be conducted to 
ascertain whether continuance of the order is favored by producers. The 
referendum shall be conducted from April 7 through April 25, 2014, 
among Florida fresh citrus producers in the production area. Only fresh 
citrus producers that were engaged in the production of oranges, 
grapefruit, tangerines, or tangelos grown in the production area, 
during the period of August 1, 2012, through July 31, 2013, may 
participate in the continuance referendum.
    USDA has determined that continuance referenda are an effective 
means for determining whether producers favor the continuation of 
marketing order programs. USDA would consider termination of the order 
if less than two-thirds of the producers voting in the referendum and 
less than two-thirds of the volume of Florida fresh citrus represented 
in the referendum favor continuance. In evaluating the merits of 
continuance versus termination, USDA will consider the results of the 
continuance referendum. USDA will also consider all other relevant 
information concerning the operation of the order and the relative 
benefits and disadvantages to producers, handlers, and consumers in 
determining whether continued operation of the order would tend to 
effectuate the declared policy of the Act.
    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
3501-3520), the ballot materials to be used in the referendum have been 
submitted to and approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
and have been assigned OMB No. 0581-0189, Generic Fruit Crops. It has 
been estimated that it will take an average of 20 minutes for each of 
the approximately 750 producers of oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and 
tangelos grown in Florida to cast a ballot. Participation is voluntary. 
Ballots postmarked after April 25, 2014, will not be included in the 
vote tabulation.
    Corey E. Elliott and Christian D. Nissen of the Southeast Marketing 
Field Office, Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA, are hereby 
designated as the referendum agents of the Secretary of Agriculture to 
conduct this referendum. The procedure applicable to the referendum 
shall be the ``Procedure for the Conduct of Referenda in Connection 
With Marketing Orders for Fruits, Vegetables, and Nuts Pursuant to the 
Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as Amended'' (7 CFR 
900.400-900.407).
    Ballots will be mailed to all producers of record and may also be 
obtained from the referendum agents, or from their appointees.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 905

    Grapefruit, Oranges, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, 
Tangerines, and Tangelos.

    Authority:  7 U.S.C. 601-674.

    Dated: February 27, 2014.
Rex A. Barnes,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-06083 Filed 3-19-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P