Irish Potatoes Grown in Southeastern States; Suspension of Marketing Order Provisions, 17307-17310 [2015-07320]

Download as PDF 17307 Rules and Regulations Federal Register Vol. 80, No. 62 Wednesday, April 1, 2015 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. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT 5 CFR Part 532 RIN 3206–AN11 Prevailing Rate Systems; Abolishment of the Portland, ME, Appropriated Fund Federal Wage System Wage Area U.S. Office of Personnel Management. ACTION: Final rule. AGENCY: The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing a final rule to abolish the Portland, Maine, appropriated fund Federal Wage System (FWS) wage area and redefine Androscoggin, Cumberland, and Sagadahoc Counties, ME, to the Portsmouth, New Hampshire, survey area and Franklin and Oxford Counties, ME, and Coos County, NH, to the Portsmouth area of application. These changes are necessary because the closure of the Naval Air Station (NAS) Brunswick left the Portland wage area without an activity having the capability to conduct a local wage survey. DATES: Effective date: This regulation is effective on April 1, 2015. Applicability date: FWS employees remaining in the Portland wage area will be transferred to the Portsmouth wage area schedule on the first day of the first applicable pay period beginning on or after May 1, 2015. For local wage survey purposes, this rule will add Androscoggin, Cumberland, and Sagadahoc Counties, ME, to the survey area for the Portsmouth, NH, wage area beginning with the full-scale wage survey scheduled to begin in September 2016. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Madeline Gonzalez, by telephone at (202) 606–2838 or by email at pay-leavepolicy@opm.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 9, 2014, OPM issued a rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with RULES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:06 Mar 31, 2015 Jkt 235001 proposed rule (79 FR 72997) to abolish the Portland, Maine, appropriated fund FWS wage area and redefine Androscoggin, Cumberland, and Sagadahoc Counties, ME, to the Portsmouth, New Hampshire, survey area and Franklin and Oxford Counties, ME, and Coos County, NH, to the Portsmouth area of application. These changes are necessary because the closure of NAS Brunswick in May 2011 left the Portland wage area without an activity having the capability to conduct a local wage survey. The Federal Prevailing Rate Advisory Committee, the national labor-management committee responsible for advising OPM on matters concerning the pay of FWS employees, made a majority recommendation to define the entire wage area to the Portsmouth wage area. The proposed rule had a 30-day comment period, during which OPM received no comments. Regulatory Flexibility Act I certify that these regulations will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities because they will affect only Federal agencies and employees. List of Subjects in 5 CFR Part 532 Administrative practice and procedure, Freedom of information, Government employees, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Wages. U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Katherine Archuleta, Director. Accordingly, OPM amends 5 CFR part 532 as follows: PART 532—PREVAILING RATE SYSTEMS Appendix C to Subpart B of Part 532— Appropriated Fund Wage and Survey Areas * * * * * NEW HAMPSHIRE PORTSMOUTH Survey Area Maine: Androscoggin Cumberland Sagadahoc York Massachusetts: The following cities and towns in: Essex County Amesbury Georgetown Groveland Haverhill Merrimac Newbury Newburyport North Andover Salisbury South Byfield West Newbury New Hampshire: Rockingham (except the following cities and towns: Newton, Plaistow, Salem, and Westville) Strafford Area of Application. Survey area plus: Maine: Franklin Oxford New Hampshire: Coos The following cities and towns in: Rockingham County Newton Plaistow Salem Westville * * * * * [FR Doc. 2015–07405 Filed 3–31–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6325–39–P 1. The authority citation for part 532 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5343, 5346; § 532.707 also issued under 5 U.S.C. 552. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service Appendix A to Subpart B of Part 532— Amended] 7 CFR Part 953 2. Appendix A to subpart B of part 532 is amended for the State of Maine by removing the entry for Portland. [Doc. No. AMS–FV–14–0011; FV14–953–1 IR] ■ 3. Appendix C to subpart B is amended by removing the wage area listing for Portland, ME, and revising the wage area listing for the Portsmouth, NH, wage area to read as follows: ■ PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Irish Potatoes Grown in Southeastern States; Suspension of Marketing Order Provisions AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. E:\FR\FM\01APR1.SGM 01APR1 17308 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 62 / Wednesday, April 1, 2015 / Rules and Regulations Interim rule with request for comments. ACTION: This rule continues the previous suspension of the marketing order regulating the handling of Irish potatoes grown in Southeastern states (order). Representatives of the Virginia/ North Carolina Irish potato industry met and requested that the suspension of all provisions of the order, and the rules and regulations implemented thereunder be continued through March 1, 2017. The request was based on the belief that the industry needs more time to study changes in the industry, and any new developments which could affect the need for, or status of the order. If the industry does not petition to have the order reactivated by the end of the suspension period, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will propose to terminate the order. DATES: Effective April 2, 2015 through March 1, 2017; comments received by June 1, 2015 will be considered prior to issuance of a final rule. ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments concerning this rule. Comments must be sent to 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: https:// www.regulations.gov. All comments should reference the document number and the date and page number of this issue of the Federal Register and will be made available for public inspection in the Office of the Docket Clerk during regular business hours, or can be viewed at: https://www.regulations.gov. All comments submitted in response to this rule will be included in the record and will be made available to the public. Please be advised that the identity of the individuals or entities submitting the comments will be made public on the internet at the address provided above. 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) 291–8614, or Email: Corey.Elliott@ams.usda.gov or Christian.Nissen@ams.usda.gov. Small businesses may request information on complying with this regulation by contacting Jeffrey Smutny, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., STOP 0237, Washington, rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with RULES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:06 Mar 31, 2015 Jkt 235001 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. 104 and Marketing Order No. 953, both as amended (7 CFR part 953), regulating the handling of Irish potatoes grown in Southeastern states, hereinafter referred to as the ‘‘order.’’ The order is effective under the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601–674), hereinafter referred to as the ‘‘Act.’’ The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing this rule in conformance with Executive Orders 12866, 13563, and 13175. This rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform. This rule is not intended to have retroactive effect. The Act provides that administrative proceedings must be exhausted before parties may file suit in court. Under section 608c(15)(A) of the Act, any handler subject to an order may file with USDA a petition stating that the order, any provision of the order, or any obligation imposed in connection with the order is not in accordance with law and request a modification of the order or to be exempted therefrom. A handler is afforded the opportunity for a hearing on the petition. After the hearing, USDA would rule on the petition. The Act provides that the district court of the United States in any district in which the handler is an inhabitant, or has his or her principal place of business, has jurisdiction to review USDA’s ruling on the petition, provided an action is filed not later than 20 days after the date of the entry of the ruling. This rule continues the previous suspension of the marketing order regulating the handling of Irish potatoes grown in Southeastern states. Even though the Committee does not function under the suspended order and regulations, representatives of the Virginia/North Carolina Irish potato industry met on December 18, 2013, and requested that the suspension of all provisions of the order, and the rules and regulations implemented thereunder be continued through March 1, 2017. The request was based on the belief that the industry needs more time to study changes in the industry, and any new developments which could affect the need for, or status of, the order. Marketing Order 953 has been in effect since 1948. The order provides for the establishment of grade, size, quality, maturity, and inspection requirements for Irish potatoes grown in Southeastern PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 states. The order also authorizes reporting and recordkeeping functions required for the operation of the order. The order, when functioning, is funded by assessments imposed on handlers. The Southeastern Potato Committee (Committee) members met on February 17, 2011, and unanimously recommended suspension of the marketing order for a three year period ending on March 1, 2014. They recommended the suspension to eliminate the expense of administering the marketing order, while determining the effects of not having regulations in place. The Committee members wanted the industry to have the alternative of reactivating the order, if deemed appropriate. The rule completing that action was published in the Federal Register on October 21, 2011 (76 FR 65360). Prior to the December 18, 2013, meeting, USDA sent letters to members of the industry, most of whom were former Committee members. The letter informed them that the suspension of the order would be ending, and of the need to review the state of the industry and determine what action the industry wanted to take in regards to the order. The letter also asked that they make others in the industry aware of the upcoming decision and the opportunity to express their position on what to do with the order. USDA also sent out several follow-up emails, and made several telephone calls to industry representatives in an effort to increase participation in the meeting. On December 18, 2013, industry representatives of the Virginia/North Carolina Irish potato industry met and unanimously recommended extending the suspension of the order for an additional three years. During their discussion, several industry members expressed concerns that the quality problems experienced prior to promulgation of the order could resurface and additional time was necessary to evaluate if the order is needed. The representatives believe extending the suspension for three more years would provide the industry with further opportunity to study changes in the industry and any new developments, which could affect the need for the order. The representatives also supported suspension rather than termination as they agreed it would be less complicated to reactivate the existing program if it is needed than to promulgate a new marketing order. Several of the industry representatives also indicated that they had spoken with other industry members who could not attend the meeting, and they too were in support of suspension. E:\FR\FM\01APR1.SGM 01APR1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 62 / Wednesday, April 1, 2015 / Rules and Regulations rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with RULES Therefore, this rule will suspend the order through March 1, 2017. If the industry does not petition to have the order reactivated by the end of the suspension period, AMS will publish a proposal to terminate the order. It is hereby determined that Federal Marketing Order No. 953, and the rules and regulations issued thereunder, do not tend effectuate the declared policy of the Act. This action suspends, through March 1, 2017, the provisions of Federal Marketing Order No. 953, and the rules and regulations issued thereunder, including but not limited to: Provisions of the order dealing with the establishment and the responsibilities of the Committee; provisions of the order dealing with expenses and the collection of assessments; all rules and regulations; and, all information collection and reporting requirements. Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Pursuant to requirements set forth in the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601–612), AMS has considered the economic impact of this action on small entities. Accordingly, AMS has prepared this initial regulatory flexibility analysis. 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. 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 10 handlers of Irish potatoes grown in Southeastern states who are subject to regulation under the order and approximately 20 potato producers in the regulated area. Small agricultural service firms are defined by the Small Business Administration (SBA) as those having annual receipts of less than $7,000,000, and small agricultural producers are defined as those having annual receipts of less than $750,000 (13 CFR 121.201). Using prices reported by AMS’ Market News Service, the average F.O.B. price for Southeastern potatoes for the 2012– 13 marketing season was around $25 per hundredweight. USDA has estimated production for the 2012–13 season at approximately 600,000 hundredweight of potatoes. Based on this information, average annual receipts for handlers would be less than $7,000,000. Information provided by the National Agricultural Statistics Service indicates that the average producer price for Irish potatoes grown in North Carolina and VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:06 Mar 31, 2015 Jkt 235001 Virginia in 2012 was approximately $12.16 per hundredweight. Considering estimated production, average producer revenue would be about $400,000 for the 2012–13 season. Therefore, the majority of Southeastern potato handlers and producers may be classified as small entities. This rule continues the previous suspension of the order and the associated rules and regulations through March 1, 2017. At a meeting on February 17, 2011, the Committee recommended that the order and all of its provisions be suspended through March 1, 2014. The Committee made this decision based on questions regarding the continued need for the order and its associated costs. Industry representatives met on December 18, 2013, and unanimously recommended extending the suspension of the order for three additional years. The continued suspension was recommended to give the industry more time to study changes in the industry, and any new developments which could affect the need for, or the status of, the order. If the industry does not petition to have the order reactivated by the end of the suspension period, AMS will publish a proposal to terminate the order. Authority for this action is provided in section 8c(16)(A) of the Act. Suspension of the order and its corresponding regulations relieves handlers of quality, inspection, and assessment burdens during the suspension period. Also, handler reports will not be required. Suspension of the order is therefore expected to reduce the regulatory burden on handlers and growers of all sizes. Even though the Committee does not function under the suspended order and regulations, industry members met and considered two alternatives to this action at the December meeting. The first alternative was to reactivate the order. This alternative received little support as most believe the administrative costs of the order still outweighed the benefits. Industry members also considered terminating the order. However, some members indicated that quality concerns that the order had resolved could return and more time was needed to study changes within the industry. Therefore, both alternatives were rejected. 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 Vegetable and Specialty Crops. No changes in PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 17309 those requirements are necessary as a result of this action. This rule will not impose any additional reporting or recordkeeping requirements on either small or large Southeastern Irish 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. 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 purposes. In addition, USDA has not identified any relevant Federal rules that duplicate, overlap, or conflict with this rule. Further, the industry’s meeting was widely publicized throughout the Southeastern Irish potato industry and interested persons were invited to attend the meeting and participate in industry deliberations. The December 18, 2013, meeting was an open meeting and entities, both large and small, were able to express their views on this issue. Finally, interested persons are invited to submit comments on this interim rule, including the regulatory and informational aspects of this action on small businesses. 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. This rule invites comments on the continuation of the previous suspension of the marketing order regulating Irish potatoes grown in Southeastern states. Any comments received will be considered prior to finalization of this rule. After consideration of all relevant material presented, including the industry’s request, and other information, it is determined that Federal Marketing Order No. 953 suspended by this interim rule, as herein set forth, does not tend to effectuate the declared policy of the Act. Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553, it is also found and determined upon good cause that it is impracticable, unnecessary, and contrary to the public interest to give preliminary notice prior to putting this rule into effect and that good cause exists for not postponing the effective E:\FR\FM\01APR1.SGM 01APR1 17310 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 62 / Wednesday, April 1, 2015 / Rules and Regulations date of this rule until 30 days after publication in the Federal Register because: (1) This action suspends restrictions on handlers by continuing the previous suspension of Marketing Order No. 953; (2) this rule provides a 60-day comment period and any comments received will be considered prior to the finalization of this rule; (3) no useful purpose would be served by delaying the continued suspension of the order. List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 953 Marketing agreements, Potatoes, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. For the reasons set forth in the preamble, under the authority of 7 U.S.C. 601–674, 7 CFR part 953 is suspended effective April 2, 2015, through March 1, 2017. Dated: March 26, 2015. Rex A. Barnes, Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. 2015–07320 Filed 3–31–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 23 [Docket No. FAA–2015–0720; Special Conditions No. 23–263–SC] Special Conditions: Honda Aircraft Company Model HA–420; Single-Place Side-Facing Seat Dynamic Test Requirements Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final special conditions; request for comments. AGENCY: These special conditions are issued for the Honda Aircraft Company HA–420 airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature(s) associated with a side-facing passenger seat. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards. DATES: The effective date of these special conditions is April 1, 2015, and is applicable on March 25, 2015. We must receive your comments by May 1, 2015. rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with RULES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:06 Mar 31, 2015 Jkt 235001 Send comments identified by docket number [FAA–2015–0720] using any of the following methods: b Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for sending your comments electronically. b Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations, M–30, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room W12–140, West Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC, 20590–0001. b Hand Delivery of Courier: Take comments to Docket Operations in Room W12–140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m., and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. b Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at 202–493–2251. Privacy: The FAA will post all comments it receives, without change, to https://regulations.gov, including any personal information the commenter provides. Using the search function of the docket Web site, anyone can find and read the electronic form of all comments received into any FAA docket, including the name of the individual sending the comment (or signing the comment for an association, business, labor union, etc.). DOT’s complete Privacy Act Statement can be found in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477–19478), as well as at https://DocketsInfo.dot.gov. Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at https://www.regulations.gov at any time. Follow the online instructions for accessing the docket or go to the Docket Operations in Room W12–140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m., and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bob Stegeman, Federal Aviation Administration, Aircraft Certification Service, Small Airplane Directorate, ACE–111, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri, 816–329–4140, fax 816–329– 4090, email Robert.Stegeman@faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA has determined, in accordance with 5 U.S. Code §§ 553(b)(3)(B) and 553(d)(3), that notice and opportunity for prior public comment hereon are unnecessary because the substance of these special conditions has been subject to the public comment process in several prior instances with no substantive comments received. The FAA therefore finds that good cause exists for making these special conditions effective upon issuance. ADDRESSES: PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Special condition number 23–255– SC. 23–251– SC. 23–105– SC. 23–254– SC. Company/airplane model Embraer Model EMB 500. Embraer Model EMB 500. Sino Swearingen Model SJ130. Embraer Model EMB 505. Comments Invited We invite interested people to take part in this rulemaking by sending written comments, data, or views. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the special conditions, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. We ask that you send us two copies of written comments. We will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing date for comments. We will consider comments filed late if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. We may change these special conditions based on the comments we receive. Background On October 11, 2006, Honda Aircraft Company applied for a type certificate for their new Model HA–420 aircraft. On October 10, 2013, Honda Aircraft Company requested an extension with an effective application date of October 1, 2013. This extension changed the type certification basis to amendment 23–62. The HA–420 is a four to five passenger (depending on configuration), two crew, lightweight business jet with a 43,000-foot service ceiling and a maximum takeoff weight of 9963 pounds. The airplane is powered by two GE-Honda Aero Engines (GHAE) HF– 120 turbofan engines. The HA–420 design incorporates the installation of a side-facing belted passenger seat as a customer configuration option. The implication of the term belted is that the passenger seat will be used during takeoff and landing and so must comply with the provisions of §§ 23.562, 23.785, and any additional requirements that the FAA determines are applicable. In this case, the approval of a side-facing seat to these provisions is considered new and novel and as such will require special conditions and specific methods of compliance to certificate. Type Certification Basis Under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.17, Honda Aircraft Company must show that the HA–420 meets the applicable provisions of part 23, as amended by E:\FR\FM\01APR1.SGM 01APR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 62 (Wednesday, April 1, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17307-17310]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-07320]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 953

[Doc. No. AMS-FV-14-0011; FV14-953-1 IR]


Irish Potatoes Grown in Southeastern States; Suspension of 
Marketing Order Provisions

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

[[Page 17308]]


ACTION: Interim rule with request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This rule continues the previous suspension of the marketing 
order regulating the handling of Irish potatoes grown in Southeastern 
states (order). Representatives of the Virginia/North Carolina Irish 
potato industry met and requested that the suspension of all provisions 
of the order, and the rules and regulations implemented thereunder be 
continued through March 1, 2017. The request was based on the belief 
that the industry needs more time to study changes in the industry, and 
any new developments which could affect the need for, or status of the 
order. If the industry does not petition to have the order reactivated 
by the end of the suspension period, the Agricultural Marketing Service 
(AMS) will propose to terminate the order.

DATES: Effective April 2, 2015 through March 1, 2017; comments received 
by June 1, 2015 will be considered prior to issuance of a final rule.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments 
concerning this rule. Comments must be sent to 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: https://www.regulations.gov. All comments should reference the document number 
and the date and page number of this issue of the Federal Register and 
will be made available for public inspection in the Office of the 
Docket Clerk during regular business hours, or can be viewed at: https://www.regulations.gov. All comments submitted in response to this rule 
will be included in the record and will be made available to the 
public. Please be advised that the identity of the individuals or 
entities submitting the comments will be made public on the internet at 
the address provided above.

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) 
291-8614, or Email: Corey.Elliott@ams.usda.gov or 
Christian.Nissen@ams.usda.gov.
    Small businesses may request information on complying with this 
regulation by contacting Jeffrey Smutny, Marketing Order and Agreement 
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. 104 and Marketing Order No. 953, both as amended (7 CFR 
part 953), regulating the handling of Irish potatoes grown in 
Southeastern states, hereinafter referred to as the ``order.'' The 
order is effective under the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 
1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674), hereinafter referred to as the 
``Act.''
    The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing this rule in 
conformance with Executive Orders 12866, 13563, and 13175.
    This rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil 
Justice Reform. This rule is not intended to have retroactive effect.
    The Act provides that administrative proceedings must be exhausted 
before parties may file suit in court. Under section 608c(15)(A) of the 
Act, any handler subject to an order may file with USDA a petition 
stating that the order, any provision of the order, or any obligation 
imposed in connection with the order is not in accordance with law and 
request a modification of the order or to be exempted therefrom. A 
handler is afforded the opportunity for a hearing on the petition. 
After the hearing, USDA would rule on the petition. The Act provides 
that the district court of the United States in any district in which 
the handler is an inhabitant, or has his or her principal place of 
business, has jurisdiction to review USDA's ruling on the petition, 
provided an action is filed not later than 20 days after the date of 
the entry of the ruling.
    This rule continues the previous suspension of the marketing order 
regulating the handling of Irish potatoes grown in Southeastern states. 
Even though the Committee does not function under the suspended order 
and regulations, representatives of the Virginia/North Carolina Irish 
potato industry met on December 18, 2013, and requested that the 
suspension of all provisions of the order, and the rules and 
regulations implemented thereunder be continued through March 1, 2017. 
The request was based on the belief that the industry needs more time 
to study changes in the industry, and any new developments which could 
affect the need for, or status of, the order.
    Marketing Order 953 has been in effect since 1948. The order 
provides for the establishment of grade, size, quality, maturity, and 
inspection requirements for Irish potatoes grown in Southeastern 
states. The order also authorizes reporting and recordkeeping functions 
required for the operation of the order. The order, when functioning, 
is funded by assessments imposed on handlers.
    The Southeastern Potato Committee (Committee) members met on 
February 17, 2011, and unanimously recommended suspension of the 
marketing order for a three year period ending on March 1, 2014. They 
recommended the suspension to eliminate the expense of administering 
the marketing order, while determining the effects of not having 
regulations in place. The Committee members wanted the industry to have 
the alternative of reactivating the order, if deemed appropriate. The 
rule completing that action was published in the Federal Register on 
October 21, 2011 (76 FR 65360).
    Prior to the December 18, 2013, meeting, USDA sent letters to 
members of the industry, most of whom were former Committee members. 
The letter informed them that the suspension of the order would be 
ending, and of the need to review the state of the industry and 
determine what action the industry wanted to take in regards to the 
order. The letter also asked that they make others in the industry 
aware of the upcoming decision and the opportunity to express their 
position on what to do with the order. USDA also sent out several 
follow-up emails, and made several telephone calls to industry 
representatives in an effort to increase participation in the meeting.
    On December 18, 2013, industry representatives of the Virginia/
North Carolina Irish potato industry met and unanimously recommended 
extending the suspension of the order for an additional three years. 
During their discussion, several industry members expressed concerns 
that the quality problems experienced prior to promulgation of the 
order could resurface and additional time was necessary to evaluate if 
the order is needed. The representatives believe extending the 
suspension for three more years would provide the industry with further 
opportunity to study changes in the industry and any new developments, 
which could affect the need for the order. The representatives also 
supported suspension rather than termination as they agreed it would be 
less complicated to reactivate the existing program if it is needed 
than to promulgate a new marketing order. Several of the industry 
representatives also indicated that they had spoken with other industry 
members who could not attend the meeting, and they too were in support 
of suspension.

[[Page 17309]]

Therefore, this rule will suspend the order through March 1, 2017.
    If the industry does not petition to have the order reactivated by 
the end of the suspension period, AMS will publish a proposal to 
terminate the order.
    It is hereby determined that Federal Marketing Order No. 953, and 
the rules and regulations issued thereunder, do not tend effectuate the 
declared policy of the Act. This action suspends, through March 1, 
2017, the provisions of Federal Marketing Order No. 953, and the rules 
and regulations issued thereunder, including but not limited to: 
Provisions of the order dealing with the establishment and the 
responsibilities of the Committee; provisions of the order dealing with 
expenses and the collection of assessments; all rules and regulations; 
and, all information collection and reporting requirements.

Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

    Pursuant to requirements set forth in the Regulatory Flexibility 
Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601-612), AMS has considered the economic impact of 
this action on small entities. Accordingly, AMS has prepared this 
initial regulatory flexibility analysis.
    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. 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 10 handlers of Irish potatoes grown in 
Southeastern states who are subject to regulation under the order and 
approximately 20 potato producers in the regulated area. Small 
agricultural service firms are defined by the Small Business 
Administration (SBA) as those having annual receipts of less than 
$7,000,000, and small agricultural producers are defined as those 
having annual receipts of less than $750,000 (13 CFR 121.201).
    Using prices reported by AMS' Market News Service, the average 
F.O.B. price for Southeastern potatoes for the 2012-13 marketing season 
was around $25 per hundredweight. USDA has estimated production for the 
2012-13 season at approximately 600,000 hundredweight of potatoes. 
Based on this information, average annual receipts for handlers would 
be less than $7,000,000. Information provided by the National 
Agricultural Statistics Service indicates that the average producer 
price for Irish potatoes grown in North Carolina and Virginia in 2012 
was approximately $12.16 per hundredweight. Considering estimated 
production, average producer revenue would be about $400,000 for the 
2012-13 season. Therefore, the majority of Southeastern potato handlers 
and producers may be classified as small entities.
    This rule continues the previous suspension of the order and the 
associated rules and regulations through March 1, 2017. At a meeting on 
February 17, 2011, the Committee recommended that the order and all of 
its provisions be suspended through March 1, 2014. The Committee made 
this decision based on questions regarding the continued need for the 
order and its associated costs. Industry representatives met on 
December 18, 2013, and unanimously recommended extending the suspension 
of the order for three additional years. The continued suspension was 
recommended to give the industry more time to study changes in the 
industry, and any new developments which could affect the need for, or 
the status of, the order. If the industry does not petition to have the 
order reactivated by the end of the suspension period, AMS will publish 
a proposal to terminate the order. Authority for this action is 
provided in section 8c(16)(A) of the Act.
    Suspension of the order and its corresponding regulations relieves 
handlers of quality, inspection, and assessment burdens during the 
suspension period. Also, handler reports will not be required. 
Suspension of the order is therefore expected to reduce the regulatory 
burden on handlers and growers of all sizes.
    Even though the Committee does not function under the suspended 
order and regulations, industry members met and considered two 
alternatives to this action at the December meeting. The first 
alternative was to reactivate the order. This alternative received 
little support as most believe the administrative costs of the order 
still outweighed the benefits. Industry members also considered 
terminating the order. However, some members indicated that quality 
concerns that the order had resolved could return and more time was 
needed to study changes within the industry. Therefore, both 
alternatives were rejected.
    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 Vegetable and Specialty Crops. No changes in 
those requirements are necessary as a result of this action.
    This rule will not impose any additional reporting or recordkeeping 
requirements on either small or large Southeastern Irish 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.
    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 purposes.
    In addition, USDA has not identified any relevant Federal rules 
that duplicate, overlap, or conflict with this rule.
    Further, the industry's meeting was widely publicized throughout 
the Southeastern Irish potato industry and interested persons were 
invited to attend the meeting and participate in industry 
deliberations. The December 18, 2013, meeting was an open meeting and 
entities, both large and small, were able to express their views on 
this issue. Finally, interested persons are invited to submit comments 
on this interim rule, including the regulatory and informational 
aspects of this action on small businesses.
    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.
    This rule invites comments on the continuation of the previous 
suspension of the marketing order regulating Irish potatoes grown in 
Southeastern states. Any comments received will be considered prior to 
finalization of this rule.
    After consideration of all relevant material presented, including 
the industry's request, and other information, it is determined that 
Federal Marketing Order No. 953 suspended by this interim rule, as 
herein set forth, does not tend to effectuate the declared policy of 
the Act.
    Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553, it is also found and determined upon good 
cause that it is impracticable, unnecessary, and contrary to the public 
interest to give preliminary notice prior to putting this rule into 
effect and that good cause exists for not postponing the effective

[[Page 17310]]

date of this rule until 30 days after publication in the Federal 
Register because: (1) This action suspends restrictions on handlers by 
continuing the previous suspension of Marketing Order No. 953; (2) this 
rule provides a 60-day comment period and any comments received will be 
considered prior to the finalization of this rule; (3) no useful 
purpose would be served by delaying the continued suspension of the 
order.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 953

    Marketing agreements, Potatoes, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, under the authority of 7 
U.S.C. 601-674, 7 CFR part 953 is suspended effective April 2, 2015, 
through March 1, 2017.

    Dated: March 26, 2015.
Rex A. Barnes,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-07320 Filed 3-31-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
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