Irish Potatoes Grown in Certain Designated Counties in Idaho, and Malheur County, Oregon; Modification of Container Requirements, 67039-67041 [2014-26679]
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 218 / Wednesday, November 12, 2014 / Rules and Regulations
Fruit Crops. No changes in those
requirements as a result of this action
are necessary. Should any changes
become necessary, they would be
submitted to OMB for approval.
Accordingly, this action will not
impose any additional reporting or
recordkeeping requirements on either
small or large Florida avocado handlers.
As with all Federal marketing order
programs, reports and forms are
periodically reviewed to reduce
information requirements and
duplication by industry and public
sector agencies.
As noted in the initial regulatory
flexibility analysis, USDA has not
identified any relevant Federal rules
that duplicate, overlap or conflict with
this final rule. However, as previously
stated, imported avocados and those
shipped within the production area
must meet the applicable requirements
for grade, as specified in the United
States Standards for Grades of Florida
Avocados (7 CFR 51.3050 through
51.3069) issued under the Agricultural
Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621
through 1627).
Further, the Committee’s meeting was
widely publicized throughout the
Florida avocado industry, and all
interested persons were invited to
attend the meeting and participate in
Committee deliberations on all issues.
Like all Committee meetings, the June
12, 2013, meeting was a public meeting.
All entities, both large and small, were
able to express views on this issue.
A proposed rule concerning this
action was published in the Federal
Register on June 23, 2014 (79 FR 35498).
Copies of the rule were mailed or sent
via facsimile to all Committee members
and Florida avocado handlers. Finally,
the rule was made available through the
Internet by USDA and the Office of the
Federal Register. A 30-day comment
period ending July 23, 2014, was
provided to allow interested persons to
respond to the proposal. No comments
were received. Accordingly, no changes
will be made to the rule as proposed.
A small business guide on complying
with fruit, vegetable, and specialty crop
marketing agreements and orders may
be viewed at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/
MarketingOrdersSmallBusinessGuide.
Any questions about the compliance
guide should be sent to Jeffrey Smutny
at the previously mentioned address in
the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section.
After consideration of all relevant
matter presented, including the
information and recommendation
submitted by the Committee and other
available information, it is hereby found
that this rule, as hereinafter set forth,
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Jkt 235001
will tend to effectuate the declared
policy of the Act.
In accordance with section 8e of the
Act, the United States Trade
Representative has concurred with the
issuance of this final rule.
It is further found that good cause
exists for not postponing the effective
date of this rule until 30 days after
publication in the Federal Register (5
U.S.C. 553) because Florida avocado
handlers began shipping in mid-May,
and the technical correction to the
import regulation is to clarify that the
grade requirement is unchanged. In
addition, handlers are aware of this rule,
which was recommended at a public
meeting. Also, a 30-day comment period
was provided for in the proposed rule.
List of Subjects
7 CFR Part 915
Avocados, Marketing agreements,
Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
7 CFR Part 944
Avocados, Food grades and standards,
Grapefruit, Grapes, Imports, Kiwifruit,
Limes, Olives, Oranges.
For the reasons set forth in the
preamble, 7 CFR parts 915 and 944 are
amended as follows:
PART 915—AVOCADOS GROWN IN
SOUTH FLORIDA
1. The authority citation for 7 CFR
part 915 continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601–674.
2. In § 915.306, paragraph (a)(1) is
revised to read as follows:
■
§ 915.306 Florida avocado grade, pack,
and container marking regulation.
(a) * * *
(1) Such avocados grade at least U.S.
Combination, except that avocados
handled to destinations within the
production area grade at least U.S. No.
2.
*
*
*
*
*
PART 944—FRUITS; IMPORT
REGULATIONS
3. The authority citation for 7 CFR
part 944 continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601–674.
4. In § 944.28, paragraph (a) is revised
to read as follows:
■
§ 944.28 Avocado Import Grade
Regulation.
(a) Pursuant to section 8e of the Act
and Part 944—Fruits; Import
Regulations, the importation into the
United States of any avocados is
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67039
prohibited unless such avocados grade
at least U.S. No. 2, as such grade is
defined in the United States Standards
for Grades of Florida Avocados (7 CFR
51.3050 through 51.3069).
*
*
*
*
*
Dated: November 5, 2014.
Rex A. Barnes,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural
Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2014–26663 Filed 11–10–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–02–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
7 CFR Part 945
[Doc. No. AMS–FV–14–0046; FV14–945–2
FIR]
Irish Potatoes Grown in Certain
Designated Counties in Idaho, and
Malheur County, Oregon; Modification
of Container Requirements
Agricultural Marketing Service,
USDA.
ACTION: Affirmation of interim rule as
final rule.
AGENCY:
The Department of
Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a
final rule, without change, an interim
rule that modified the container
requirements prescribed under the
Idaho-Eastern Oregon potato marketing
order. The interim rule removed the
requirement that fiberboard cartons
used to pack 50-pound quantities of
U.S. No. 2 grade potatoes be of onepiece construction. This change is in
response to market demands and
provides handlers flexibility in shipping
U.S. No. 2 grade potatoes. In addition,
this rule corrected a citation reference in
the handling regulations.
DATES: Effective November 13, 2014.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sue
Coleman, Marketing Specialist, or Gary
D. Olson, Regional Director, Northwest
Marketing Field Office, Marketing Order
and Agreement Division, Fruit and
Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA;
Telephone: (503) 326–2724, Fax: (503)
326–7440, or Email: Sue.Coleman@
ams.usda.gov or GaryD.Olson@
ams.usda.gov.
Small businesses may obtain
information on complying with this and
other marketing order and agreement
regulations by viewing a guide at the
following Web site: https://
www.ams.usda.gov/
MarketingOrdersSmallBusinessGuide;
or by contacting Jeffrey Smutny,
Marketing Order and Agreement
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\12NOR1.SGM
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67040
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 218 / Wednesday, November 12, 2014 / Rules and Regulations
Division, Fruit and Vegetable Program,
AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence
Avenue SW., STOP 0237, Washington,
DC 20250–0237; Telephone: (202) 720–
2491, Fax: (202) 720–8938, or Email:
Jeffrey.Smutny@ams.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This rule
is issued under Marketing Agreement
No. 98 and Marketing Order No. 945,
both as amended (7 CFR part 945),
regulating the handling of Irish potatoes
grown in certain designated counties in
Idaho, and Malheur County, Oregon,
hereinafter referred to as the ‘‘order.’’
The order is effective under the
Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act
of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601–674),
hereinafter referred to as the ‘‘Act.’’
The USDA is issuing this rule in
conformance with Executive Orders
12866, 13563, and 13175.
The handling of Irish potatoes grown
in certain designated counties in Idaho,
and Malheur County, Oregon is
regulated by 7 CFR part 945. Prior to
this change, handlers could only pack
50-pound quantities of U.S. No. 2 grade
potatoes in a one-piece fiberboard
carton. These one-piece cartons were
often damaged in transit and were more
expensive to purchase. Therefore, this
rule continues in effect the rule that
removed the container requirement that
fiberboard cartons used to pack 50pound quantities of U.S. No. 2 grade
potatoes be of one-piece construction.
Additionally, this rule corrected a
citation reference in the order’s
handling regulations.
In an interim rule published in the
Federal Register on August 6, 2014, and
effective on August 7, 2014, (79 FR
45673, Doc. No. AMS–FV–14–0046,
FV14–945–2 IR), § 945.341(c)(2)(ii) was
amended by removing the word ‘‘onepiece’’ and § 945.341(b)(3)(i) and (ii)
were amended by replacing the
reference ‘‘(b)(4)(iii)’’ with the reference
‘‘(b)(3)(iii)’’.
wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with RULES
Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
Pursuant to requirements set forth in
the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5
U.S.C. 601–612), the Agricultural
Marketing Service (AMS) has
considered the economic impact of this
action on small entities. Accordingly,
AMS has prepared this final regulatory
flexibility analysis.
The purpose of the RFA is to fit
regulatory actions to the scale of
business subject to such actions in order
that small businesses will not be unduly
or disproportionately burdened.
Marketing orders issued pursuant to the
Act, and the rules issued thereunder, are
unique in that they are brought about
through group action of essentially
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14:57 Nov 10, 2014
Jkt 235001
small entities acting on their own
behalf.
There are approximately 450
producers of potatoes in the production
area and approximately 32 handlers
subject to regulation under the
marketing order. Small agricultural
producers are defined by the Small
Business Administration (SBA) as those
having annual receipts of less than
$750,000, and small agricultural service
firms are defined as those whose annual
receipts are less than $7,000,000 (13
CFR 121.201).
During the 2012–2013 fiscal period,
the most recent for which statistics are
available, 35,148,900 hundredweight of
Idaho-Eastern Oregon potatoes were
inspected under the order and sold into
the fresh market. Based on information
provided by the National Agricultural
Statistics Service, the average producer
price for the 2012 Idaho potato crop was
$5.30 per hundredweight. Multiplying
$5.30 by the shipment quantity of
35,148,900 hundredweight yields an
annual crop revenue estimate of
$186,289,170. The average annual fresh
potato revenue for each of the 450
producers is therefore calculated to be
$413,396 ($186,289,170 divided by 450),
which is less than the SBA threshold of
$750,000. Consequently, on average
almost all of the Idaho-Eastern Oregon
potato producers may be classified as
small entities.
In addition, based on information
reported by USDA’s Market News
Service, the average f.o.b. shipping
point price for the 2012 Idaho potato
crop was $5.87 per hundredweight.
Multiplying $5.87 by the shipment
quantity of 35,148,900 hundredweight
yields an annual crop revenue estimate
of $206,324,043. The average annual
fresh potato revenue for each of the 32
handlers is therefore calculated to be
$6,447,626 ($206,324,043 divided by
32), which is less than the SBA
threshold of $7,000,000. Consequently,
on average most all of the Idaho-Eastern
Oregon potato handlers may be
classified as small entities.
This rule continues in effect the
action that relaxed the container
requirements to allow handlers to ship
U.S. No. 2 grade potatoes in any type of
50-pound fiberboard cartons of natural
kraft color, provided the cartons are
permanently and conspicuously marked
as to grade. This will enable handlers to
respond to market demands and provide
greater flexibility in shipping U.S. No. 2
grade potatoes. In addition, this rule
makes changes to the order’s handling
regulations to correct a citation
reference.
The authority for the establishment of
pack and marking requirements is
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Fmt 4700
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provided in § 945.52 of the order.
Section 945.341(c) of the order’s
administrative rules prescribes the pack
and marking requirements for domestic
and export shipments of potatoes.
This action is expected to increase
shipments of U.S. No. 2 potatoes to the
food service industry and help the
Idaho-Eastern Oregon potato industry
benefit from the recent increased growth
in demand from the food service
industry sector. The benefits of this rule
are not expected to be
disproportionately greater or lesser for
small entities than large entities.
In accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
Chapter 35), the order’s information
collection requirements have been
previously approved by the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) and
assigned OMB No. 0581–0178 (Generic
Vegetable and Specialty Crops). No
changes in those requirements as a
result of this action are necessary.
Should any changes become necessary,
they would be submitted to OMB for
approval.
This rule will not impose any
additional reporting or recordkeeping
requirements on either small or large
potato handlers. As with all Federal
marketing order programs, reports and
forms are periodically reviewed to
reduce information requirements and
duplication by industry and public
sector agencies. In addition, USDA has
not identified any relevant Federal rules
that duplicate, overlap or conflict with
this rule.
Further, the Committee’s meeting was
widely publicized throughout the IdahoEastern Oregon potato industry and all
interested persons were invited to
attend the meeting and participate in
Committee deliberations. Like all
Committee meetings, the April 22, 2014,
meeting was a public meeting and all
entities, both large and small, were able
to express their views on this issue.
Comments on the interim rule were
required to be received on or before
October 6, 2014. No comments were
received. Therefore, for the reasons
given in the interim rule, we are
adopting the interim rule as a final rule,
without change.
To view the interim rule, go to: https://
www.regulations.gov/
#!documentDetail;D=AMS-FV-14-00460001.
This action also affirms information
contained in the interim rule concerning
Executive Orders 12866, 12988, 13175,
and 13563; the Paperwork Reduction
Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35); and the EGov Act (44 U.S.C. 101).
After consideration of all relevant
material presented, it is found that
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 218 / Wednesday, November 12, 2014 / Rules and Regulations
finalizing the interim rule, without
change, as published in the Federal
Register (79 FR 45673, August 6, 2014)
will tend to effectuate the declared
policy of the Act.
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 945
Marketing agreements, Potatoes,
Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
■ Accordingly, the interim rule that
amended 7 CFR part 945 and that was
published at 79 FR 45673 on August 6,
2014, is adopted as a final rule, without
change.
Dated: November 5, 2014.
Rex A. Barnes,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural
Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2014–26679 Filed 11–10–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–02–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
7 CFR Part 1206
[Document Number AMS–FV–14–0047]
Mango Promotion, Research, and
Information Order; Section 610 Review
Agricultural Marketing Service,
USDA.
ACTION: Confirmation of regulations.
AGENCY:
This document summarizes
the results of an Agricultural Marketing
Service (AMS) review of the Mango
Promotion, Research, and Information
Order (Order) under criteria contained
in section 610 of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (RFA). Based upon its
review, AMS concluded that there is a
continued need for the Order.
DATES: This confirmation is effective
November 12, 2014.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons may
obtain a copy of the review on the
Internet at: https://www.regulations.gov
or request a copy from the Promotion
and Economics Division, Fruit and
Vegetable Program, AMS, U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA or
Department), 1400 Independence
Avenue SW., Room 1406–S, Stop 0244,
Washington, DC 20250–0244; facsimile:
(202) 205–2800 or electronic mail:
Jeanette.Palmer@ams.usda.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jeanette Palmer, Marketing Specialist,
Promotion and Economics Division,
Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS,
USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue
SW., Room 1406–S, Stop 0244,
Washington, DC 20250–0244; telephone:
(202) 720–9915; facsimile: (202) 205–
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SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
14:57 Nov 10, 2014
Jkt 235001
2800; or electronic mail:
Jeanette.Palmer@ams.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Order
(7 CFR part 1206) is authorized under
the Commodity Promotion, Research,
and Information Act of 1996 (Act) (7
U.S.C. 7411–7425).
The Order became effective on
November 3, 2004. It is administered by
the National Mango Board (Board) with
oversight by the Department. The
program is financed by an assessment of
three-quarters of a cent per pound on
first handlers and importers of 500,000
pounds or more of mangos annually.
The Order specifies that first handlers
are responsible for submitting
assessments to the Board on a monthly
basis and maintaining records necessary
to verify their reporting. Importers are
responsible for paying assessments on
mangos imported for consumption in
the United States through the U.S.
Customs and Border Protection. The
purpose of the Order is to carry out an
effective, continuous, and coordinated
program of promotion, research, and
information designed to strengthen
mangos’ competitive position, and to
maintain and expand the domestic
market for mangos.
The Board is composed of 18
members as follows: 8 importers; 2
domestic producers; 1 first handler; and
7 foreign producers. Nominations for
importer, domestic producer, and first
handler members are solicited by
importers, domestic producers, and first
handlers, respectively. Nominations for
foreign producer members are solicited
from foreign producers and foreign
producer associations. Members are
appointed to the Board by the Secretary
of Agriculture and serve a term of three
years.
There are approximately 190
importers and 5 first handlers of mangos
subject to the provisions of the Order.
The majority of importers, first handlers
and producers may be classified as
small entities.
AMS published in the Federal
Register on March 24, 2006, (71 FR
14827) its plan to review certain
regulations, including the mango
program, under criteria contained in
section 610 of the RFA (5 U.S.C. 601–
612). Because many AMS regulations
impact small entities, AMS decided, as
a matter of policy, to review certain
regulations which, although they may
not meet the threshold requirement
under section 610 of the RFA, warrant
review.
AMS published a notice of review and
request for written comments in the
Federal Register on June 20, 2014 (79
FR 35296). The comment period ended
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67041
on August 19, 2014. Three comments
were received in response to the notice
and are discussed later in this
document.
The review was undertaken to
determine whether the Order should be
continued without change, amended, or
rescinded (consistent with the
objectives of the Act) to minimize the
impacts on small entities. AMS
considered the following factors: (1) The
continued need for the Order; (2) the
nature of complaints or comments
received from the public concerning the
Order; (3) the complexity of the Order;
(4) the extent to which the Order
overlaps, duplicates, or conflicts with
other Federal rules, and, to the extent
feasible, with State and local
regulations; and (5) the length of time
since the Order has been evaluated or
the degree to which technology,
economic conditions, or other factors
have changed in the area affected by the
Order.
Continued Need for the Order. Based
on its review, the Department has
concluded that there is a continued
need for the Order. Numerous benefits
to the mango industry would likely not
be achieved without the research and
promotion collectively funded through
the Order. The Board continues to
conduct useful research projects on
various aspects of mango production,
processing, and nutritional impacts.
Examples of recent studies include
potential beneficial impacts of mango
consumption on mitigating diseases
such as diabetes, breast cancer and
colon cancer.
An impact study conducted in 2010 1
reviewed the Board’s investment in
developing a database for monitoring
potential and actual mango consumers,
and found that the data is quite useful
for economic research and for other
analytical purposes. The economic data
was used for evaluating NMB program
impacts on mango demand, and
concluded that the impact was
significant.
The majority of mangos consumed in
the United States are imported and the
study reported that the value of U.S.
mango imports grew from $169 million
to $217 million during the period
covered by the study, 2005 through
2009. The growth in value was the
result of both higher prices and greater
volumes imported.
Nature of Complaints and Comments.
The three public comments received are
discussed in the following paragraphs.
1 ‘‘Evaluating the National Mango Board’s
Programs for Impact on U.S. Demand for Mangos,’’
Ronald L. Ward.
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 218 (Wednesday, November 12, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 67039-67041]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-26679]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
7 CFR Part 945
[Doc. No. AMS-FV-14-0046; FV14-945-2 FIR]
Irish Potatoes Grown in Certain Designated Counties in Idaho, and
Malheur County, Oregon; Modification of Container Requirements
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Affirmation of interim rule as final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final
rule, without change, an interim rule that modified the container
requirements prescribed under the Idaho-Eastern Oregon potato marketing
order. The interim rule removed the requirement that fiberboard cartons
used to pack 50-pound quantities of U.S. No. 2 grade potatoes be of
one-piece construction. This change is in response to market demands
and provides handlers flexibility in shipping U.S. No. 2 grade
potatoes. In addition, this rule corrected a citation reference in the
handling regulations.
DATES: Effective November 13, 2014.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sue Coleman, Marketing Specialist, or
Gary D. Olson, Regional Director, Northwest Marketing Field Office,
Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Fruit and Vegetable Program,
AMS, USDA; Telephone: (503) 326-2724, Fax: (503) 326-7440, or Email:
Sue.Coleman@ams.usda.gov or GaryD.Olson@ams.usda.gov.
Small businesses may obtain information on complying with this and
other marketing order and agreement regulations by viewing a guide at
the following Web site: https://www.ams.usda.gov/MarketingOrdersSmallBusinessGuide; or by contacting Jeffrey Smutny,
Marketing Order and Agreement
[[Page 67040]]
Division, Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence
Avenue SW., STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; Telephone: (202) 720-
2491, Fax: (202) 720-8938, or Email: Jeffrey.Smutny@ams.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This rule is issued under Marketing
Agreement No. 98 and Marketing Order No. 945, both as amended (7 CFR
part 945), regulating the handling of Irish potatoes grown in certain
designated counties in Idaho, and Malheur County, Oregon, hereinafter
referred to as the ``order.'' The order is effective under the
Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-
674), hereinafter referred to as the ``Act.''
The USDA is issuing this rule in conformance with Executive Orders
12866, 13563, and 13175.
The handling of Irish potatoes grown in certain designated counties
in Idaho, and Malheur County, Oregon is regulated by 7 CFR part 945.
Prior to this change, handlers could only pack 50-pound quantities of
U.S. No. 2 grade potatoes in a one-piece fiberboard carton. These one-
piece cartons were often damaged in transit and were more expensive to
purchase. Therefore, this rule continues in effect the rule that
removed the container requirement that fiberboard cartons used to pack
50-pound quantities of U.S. No. 2 grade potatoes be of one-piece
construction. Additionally, this rule corrected a citation reference in
the order's handling regulations.
In an interim rule published in the Federal Register on August 6,
2014, and effective on August 7, 2014, (79 FR 45673, Doc. No. AMS-FV-
14-0046, FV14-945-2 IR), Sec. 945.341(c)(2)(ii) was amended by
removing the word ``one-piece'' and Sec. 945.341(b)(3)(i) and (ii)
were amended by replacing the reference ``(b)(4)(iii)'' with the
reference ``(b)(3)(iii)''.
Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
Pursuant to requirements set forth in the Regulatory Flexibility
Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601-612), the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)
has considered the economic impact of this action on small entities.
Accordingly, AMS has prepared this final regulatory flexibility
analysis.
The purpose of the RFA is to fit regulatory actions to the scale of
business subject to such actions in order that small businesses will
not be unduly or disproportionately burdened. Marketing orders issued
pursuant to the Act, and the rules issued thereunder, are unique in
that they are brought about through group action of essentially small
entities acting on their own behalf.
There are approximately 450 producers of potatoes in the production
area and approximately 32 handlers subject to regulation under the
marketing order. Small agricultural producers are defined by the Small
Business Administration (SBA) as those having annual receipts of less
than $750,000, and small agricultural service firms are defined as
those whose annual receipts are less than $7,000,000 (13 CFR 121.201).
During the 2012-2013 fiscal period, the most recent for which
statistics are available, 35,148,900 hundredweight of Idaho-Eastern
Oregon potatoes were inspected under the order and sold into the fresh
market. Based on information provided by the National Agricultural
Statistics Service, the average producer price for the 2012 Idaho
potato crop was $5.30 per hundredweight. Multiplying $5.30 by the
shipment quantity of 35,148,900 hundredweight yields an annual crop
revenue estimate of $186,289,170. The average annual fresh potato
revenue for each of the 450 producers is therefore calculated to be
$413,396 ($186,289,170 divided by 450), which is less than the SBA
threshold of $750,000. Consequently, on average almost all of the
Idaho-Eastern Oregon potato producers may be classified as small
entities.
In addition, based on information reported by USDA's Market News
Service, the average f.o.b. shipping point price for the 2012 Idaho
potato crop was $5.87 per hundredweight. Multiplying $5.87 by the
shipment quantity of 35,148,900 hundredweight yields an annual crop
revenue estimate of $206,324,043. The average annual fresh potato
revenue for each of the 32 handlers is therefore calculated to be
$6,447,626 ($206,324,043 divided by 32), which is less than the SBA
threshold of $7,000,000. Consequently, on average most all of the
Idaho-Eastern Oregon potato handlers may be classified as small
entities.
This rule continues in effect the action that relaxed the container
requirements to allow handlers to ship U.S. No. 2 grade potatoes in any
type of 50-pound fiberboard cartons of natural kraft color, provided
the cartons are permanently and conspicuously marked as to grade. This
will enable handlers to respond to market demands and provide greater
flexibility in shipping U.S. No. 2 grade potatoes. In addition, this
rule makes changes to the order's handling regulations to correct a
citation reference.
The authority for the establishment of pack and marking
requirements is provided in Sec. 945.52 of the order. Section
945.341(c) of the order's administrative rules prescribes the pack and
marking requirements for domestic and export shipments of potatoes.
This action is expected to increase shipments of U.S. No. 2
potatoes to the food service industry and help the Idaho-Eastern Oregon
potato industry benefit from the recent increased growth in demand from
the food service industry sector. The benefits of this rule are not
expected to be disproportionately greater or lesser for small entities
than large entities.
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
Chapter 35), the order's information collection requirements have been
previously approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and
assigned OMB No. 0581-0178 (Generic Vegetable and Specialty Crops). No
changes in those requirements as a result of this action are necessary.
Should any changes become necessary, they would be submitted to OMB for
approval.
This rule will not impose any additional reporting or recordkeeping
requirements on either small or large potato handlers. As with all
Federal marketing order programs, reports and forms are periodically
reviewed to reduce information requirements and duplication by industry
and public sector agencies. In addition, USDA has not identified any
relevant Federal rules that duplicate, overlap or conflict with this
rule.
Further, the Committee's meeting was widely publicized throughout
the Idaho-Eastern Oregon potato industry and all interested persons
were invited to attend the meeting and participate in Committee
deliberations. Like all Committee meetings, the April 22, 2014, meeting
was a public meeting and all entities, both large and small, were able
to express their views on this issue.
Comments on the interim rule were required to be received on or
before October 6, 2014. No comments were received. Therefore, for the
reasons given in the interim rule, we are adopting the interim rule as
a final rule, without change.
To view the interim rule, go to: https://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=AMS-FV-14-0046-0001.
This action also affirms information contained in the interim rule
concerning Executive Orders 12866, 12988, 13175, and 13563; the
Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35); and the E-Gov Act (44
U.S.C. 101).
After consideration of all relevant material presented, it is found
that
[[Page 67041]]
finalizing the interim rule, without change, as published in the
Federal Register (79 FR 45673, August 6, 2014) will tend to effectuate
the declared policy of the Act.
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 945
Marketing agreements, Potatoes, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
0
Accordingly, the interim rule that amended 7 CFR part 945 and that was
published at 79 FR 45673 on August 6, 2014, is adopted as a final rule,
without change.
Dated: November 5, 2014.
Rex A. Barnes,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-26679 Filed 11-10-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P