Oranges, Grapefruit, Tangerines, and Tangelos Grown in Florida; Order Amending Marketing Order No. 905, 10451-10455 [2016-04470]
Download as PDF
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 40 / Tuesday, March 1, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
Department approval. The monthly
redemption levels used for the
installation formula shall be the average
redemptions based on a period of up to
12 months of prior redemption;
(iii) The State agency shall determine
the number of appropriate POS
terminals for authorized farmers and
farmers’ markets;
(iv) For newly authorized WIC
vendors deemed necessary for
participant access by the State agency,
the vendor shall be provided one POS
terminal unless the State agency
determines other factors in this location
warrant additional terminals;
(v) Any authorized vendor who has
been equipped with a POS terminal by
the State agency may submit evidence
additional terminals are necessary after
the initial POS terminals are installed;
(vi) The State agency may provide
authorized vendors with additional POS
terminals above the minimum number
required by this paragraph in order to
permit WIC participants to obtain a
shopping list or benefit balance, as long
as the number of terminals provided
does not exceed the number of lanes in
the vendor location;
(vii) The State agency may remove
excess POS terminals if actual
redemption activity warrants a
reduction consistent with the
redemption levels outlined in
paragraphs (z)(2)(i) through (ii) of this
section.
(3) Payment to vendors, farmers and
farmers’ markets. The State agency shall
ensure that vendors, farmers and
farmers’ markets are paid promptly.
Payment must be made in accordance
with the established Operating Rules
and technical requirements after the
vendor, farmer or farmers’ market has
submitted a valid electronic claim for
payment.
(aa) Imposition of costs on vendors,
farmers and farmers’ markets. (1) Cost
prohibition. Except as otherwise
provided in this section, a State agency
shall not impose the costs of any singlefunction equipment or system required
for EBT on any authorized vendor,
farmers or farmers’ markets in order to
transact EBT.
(2) Cost sharing. If WIC Program
equipment is multi-function equipment,
the State agency shall develop cost
sharing criteria with authorized WIC
vendors, farmers and farmers’ markets
for costs associated with such
equipment in accordance with Federal
cost principles. Any cost sharing
agreements shall be developed between
a State agency and its vendors, farmers,
or farmers’ markets depending on the
type, scope and capabilities of shared
equipment. The State agency must
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:20 Feb 29, 2016
Jkt 238001
furnish its allocation and/or cost sharing
methodology to the Department as part
of the Advanced Planning Document for
review and approval before incurring
costs.
(3) Fees—(i) Third-party processor
costs and fees. The State agency shall
not pay or reimburse vendors, farmers
or farmers’ markets for third-party
processing costs and fees for vendors,
farmers, or farmers’ markets that elect to
accept EBT using multi-function
equipment. The State agency or its agent
shall not charge any fees to authorized
vendors for use of single-function
equipment.
(ii) Interchange fees. The State agency
shall not pay or reimburse the vendor,
farmer or farmers’ markets for
interchange fees on WIC EBT
transactions.
(4) Statewide operations. After
completion of statewide EBT
implementation, the State agency shall
not:
(i) Pay ongoing maintenance,
processing fees or operational costs for
any vendor, farmer or farmers’ market
utilizing multi-function systems and
equipment, unless the State agency
determines that the vendor is necessary
for participant access. The State agency
shall continue to pay ongoing
maintenance, processing fees and
operational costs of single-function
equipment;
(ii) Authorize a vendor, farmer, or
farmers’ market that cannot successfully
demonstrate EBT capability in
accordance with State agency
requirements, unless the State agency
determines the vendor is necessary for
participant access.
(bb) EBT Technical standards and
requirements. (1) Each State agency,
contractor and authorized vendor
participating in the program shall follow
and demonstrate compliance with:
(i) Operating rules, standards and
technical requirements as established by
the Secretary; and
(ii) Other industry standards
identified by the Secretary.
(2) The State agency shall establish
policy permitting the replacement of
EBT cards and the transfer of participant
benefit balances within no more than
seven business days following notice by
the participant or proxy to the State
agency.
(3) The State agency shall establish
procedures to provide customer service
during non-business hours that enable
participants or proxies to report a lost,
stolen, or damaged card, report other
card or benefit issues, receive
information on the EBT food balance
and receive the current benefit end date.
The State agency shall respond to any
PO 00000
Frm 00019
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
10451
report of a lost, stolen, or damaged card
within one business day of the date of
report. If a State agency seeks to
implement alternatives to the minimum
service requirements, the agency must
submit the plan to FNS for approval.
(cc) National universal product codes
(UPC) database. The national UPC
database is to be used by all State
agencies using EBT to deliver WIC food
benefits.
Dated: February 19, 2016.
Audrey Rowe,
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–04261 Filed 2–29–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–30–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
7 CFR Part 905
[Doc. No. AO–13–0163; AMS–FV–12–0069;
FV13–905–1]
Oranges, Grapefruit, Tangerines, and
Tangelos Grown in Florida; Order
Amending Marketing Order No. 905
Agricultural Marketing Service,
USDA.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
This final rule amends
Marketing Order No. 905 (order), which
regulates the handling of oranges,
grapefruit, tangerines, and tangelos
(citrus) grown in Florida. The
amendments were proposed by the
Citrus Administrative Committee
(Committee), which locally administers
the order, and is comprised of growers
and handlers. These amendments:
Authorize regulation of new varieties
and hybrids of citrus fruit; authorize the
regulation of intrastate shipments of
fruit; revise the process for redistricting
the production area; change the term of
office and tenure requirements for
Committee members; authorize mail
balloting procedures for Committee
membership nominations; increase the
capacity of the financial reserve fund;
authorize pack and container
requirements for domestic shipments
and authorize different regulations for
different markets; eliminate the use of
separate acceptance statements in the
nomination process; and require
handlers to register with the Committee.
All of the proposals were favored by
Florida citrus growers in a mail
referendum, held September 14 through
October 5, 2015. Of the 200 votes cast,
96 percent or more of the vote by
number and 99 percent or more by
volume approved all nine amendments.
The amendments are intended to
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM
01MRR1
10452
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 40 / Tuesday, March 1, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES
improve the operation and functioning
of the marketing order program.
DATES: This rule is effective March 2,
2016.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Melissa Schmaedick, Marketing Order
and Agreement Division, Specialty
Crops Program, AMS, USDA, Post Office
Box 952, Moab, UT 84532; Telephone:
(202) 557–4783, Fax: (435) 259–1502, or
Michelle Sharrow, Marketing Order and
Agreement Division, Specialty Crops
Program, AMS, USDA, 1400
Independence Avenue SW., Stop 0237,
Washington, DC 20250–0237;
Telephone: (202) 720–2491, Fax: (202)
720–8938, or Email:
Melissa.Schmaedick@ams.usda.gov or
Michelle.Sharrow@ams.usda.gov.or
Melissa.Schmaedick@usda.gov
Small businesses may request
information on this proceeding by
contacting Antoinette Carter, Marketing
Order and Agreement Division,
Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA,
1400 Independence Avenue SW., Stop
0237, Washington, DC 20250–0237;
Telephone: (202) 720–2491, Fax: (202)
720–8938, or Email: Antoinette.Carter@
ams.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Prior
documents in this proceeding: Notice of
Hearing published in the March 28,
2013, issue of the Federal Register (78
FR 18899); a Recommended Decision
issued on February 23, 2015, and
published in the March 3, 2015, issue of
the Federal Register (80 FR 11335); and,
a Secretary’s Decision and Referendum
Order issued on July 14, 2015, and
published in the Federal Register on
July 21, 2015 (80 FR 43040).
This action is governed by the
provisions of sections 556 and 557 of
title 5 of the United States Code and is
therefore excluded from the
requirements of Executive Orders
12866, 13563, and 13175.
Preliminary Statement
The final rule was formulated on the
record of a public hearing held on April
24, 2013, in Winter Haven, Florida. The
hearing was held pursuant to the
provisions of the Agricultural Marketing
Agreement Act of 1937, as amended (7
U.S.C. 601–674), hereinafter referred to
as the ‘‘Act,’’ and the applicable rules of
practice and procedure governing the
formulation of marketing agreements
and orders (7 CFR part 900). Notice of
this hearing was published in the
Federal Register on March 28, 2013 (78
FR 18899). The notice of hearing
contained nine proposals submitted by
the Committee.
Upon the basis of evidence
introduced at the hearing and the record
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:20 Feb 29, 2016
Jkt 238001
thereof, the Administrator of AMS
issued a Recommended Decision and
Opportunity to File Written Exceptions
thereto by April 2, 2015. None were
filed.
A Secretary’s Decision and
Referendum Order was issued on July
14, 2015, directing that a referendum be
conducted during the period of
September 14 through October 5, 2015,
among eligible Florida citrus growers to
determine whether they favored the
proposed amendments to the order. To
become effective, the amendments had
to be approved by at least two-thirds of
those growers voting, or by voters
representing at least two-thirds of the
volume of citrus represented by voters
voting in the referendum. Voters voting
in the referendum favored all of the
proposed amendments.
The amendments favored by voters
and included in this final order will:
Authorize regulation of new varieties
and hybrids of citrus fruit; authorize the
regulation of intrastate shipments of
fruit; revise the process for redistricting
the production area; change the term of
office and tenure requirements for
Committee members; authorize mail
balloting procedures for Committee
membership nominations; increase the
capacity of financial reserve funds;
authorize pack and container
requirements for domestic shipments
and authorize different regulations for
different markets; eliminate the use of
separate acceptance statements in the
nomination process; and require
handlers to register with the Committee.
USDA also made such changes as
were necessary to the order so that all
of the order’s provisions conform to the
effectuated amendments. A conforming
change was made to the title of 7 CFR
part 905. The title is revised to
‘‘ORANGES, GRAPEFRUIT,
TANGERINES, AND PUMMELOS
GROWN IN FLORIDA’’ to reflect the
addition of pummelos as a regulated
fruit and the inclusion of tangelos as a
regulated hybrid variety.
The amended marketing agreement
was subsequently mailed to all citrus
handlers in the production area for their
approval. The marketing agreement was
approved by handlers representing more
than 50 percent of the volume of citrus
handled by all handlers during the
representative period of August 1, 2014,
through July 31, 2015.
Small Business Consideration
Pursuant to the requirements set forth
in the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA),
AMS has considered the economic
impact of this action on small entities.
Accordingly, AMS has prepared this
final regulatory flexibility analysis.
PO 00000
Frm 00020
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
The purpose of the RFA is to fit
regulatory actions to the scale of
businesses subject to such actions so
that small businesses will not be unduly
or disproportionately burdened.
Marketing orders and amendments
thereto are unique in that they are
normally brought about through group
action of essentially small entities for
their own benefit.
According to the 2007 U.S. Census of
Agriculture, the number of citrus
growers in Florida was 6,061. According
to the National Agriculture Statistic
Service (NASS) Citrus Fruit Report,
published September 19, 2012, the total
number of acres used in citrus
production in Florida was 495,100 for
the 2011/12 season. Based on the
number of citrus growers from the U.S.
Census of Agriculture and the total acres
used for citrus production from NASS,
the average citrus farm size is 81.7 acres.
NASS also reported the total value of
production for Florida citrus at
$1,804,484,000. Taking the total value of
production for Florida citrus and
dividing it by the total number of acres
used for citrus production provides a
return per acre of $3,644.69. A small
grower as defined by the Small Business
Administration (SBA) (13 CFR 121.201)
is one that grosses less than $750,000
annually. Multiplying the return per
acre of $3,644.69 by the average citrus
farm size of 81.7 acres, yields an average
return of $297,720.51. Therefore, a
majority of Florida citrus producers are
considered small entities under SBA’s
standards.
According to the industry, there were
44 handlers for the 2011/12 season,
down 25 percent from the 2002/03
season. A small agricultural service firm
as defined by the SBA is one that
grosses less than $7,000,000 annually.
Based on information submitted by
industry, 21 handlers would be
considered small entities under SBA’s
standards. A majority of citrus handlers
are considered large entities under
SBA’s standards.
The production area regulated under
the order covers the portion of the state
of Florida which is bound by the
Suwannee River, the Georgia Border, the
Atlantic Ocean, and the Gulf of Mexico.
Acreage devoted to citrus production in
the regulated area has declined in recent
years.
According to data presented at the
hearing, bearing acreage for oranges
reached a high of 605,000 acres during
the 2000/01 crop year. Since then,
bearing acreage for oranges has
decreased 28 percent. For grapefruit,
bearing acreage reached a high of
107,800 acres during the 2000/01 crop
year. Since the 2000/01 crop year,
E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM
01MRR1
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 40 / Tuesday, March 1, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES
bearing acreage for grapefruit has
decreased 58 percent. For tangelos,
bearing acreage reached a high for the
2000/01 crop year of 10,800 acres for
Florida. Since the 2000/01 crop year,
bearing acreage for tangelos has
decreased 62 percent. For tangerines
and mandarins, bearing acreage reached
a high for the 2000/01 crop year of
25,500 acres. Since the 2000/01 crop
year, bearing acreage for tangerines and
mandarins has decreased 53 percent.
According to data presented at the
hearing, the total utilized production for
oranges reached a high during the 2003/
04 crop year of 242 million boxes. Since
the 2000/01 crop year, total utilized
production for oranges has decreased 34
percent. For grapefruit, the total utilized
production reached a high during the
2001/02 crop year of 46.7 million boxes.
Since the 2000/01 crop year, total
utilized production for grapefruit has
decreased 59 percent. For tangelos, the
total utilized production reached a high
during the 2002/03 crop year of 2.4
million boxes. Since the 2000/01 crop
year, total utilized production for
tangelos has decreased 45 percent. For
tangerines and mandarins, the total
utilized production reached a high
during the 2001/02 crop year of 6.6
million boxes. Since the 2000/01 crop
year, total utilized production for
tangerines and mandarins has decreased
23 percent.
Material Issues
This action amends the order to:
Authorize regulation of new varieties
and hybrids of citrus fruit; authorize the
regulation of intrastate shipments of
fruit; revise the process for redistricting
the production area; change the term of
office and tenure requirements for
Committee members; authorize mail
balloting procedures for Committee
membership nominations; increase the
capacity of financial reserve funds;
authorize pack and container
requirements for domestic shipments
and authorize different regulations for
different markets; eliminate the use of
separate acceptance statements in the
nomination process; and require
handlers to register with the Committee.
These amendments will streamline
program operations, but are not
expected to result in a significant
change in industry production, handling
or distribution activities.
During the hearing held on April 24,
2013, interested persons were invited to
present evidence on the probable
regulatory and informational impact of
the proposed amendments to the order
on small businesses. The evidence
presented at the hearing shows that
none of the proposed amendments
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:20 Feb 29, 2016
Jkt 238001
would have any burdensome effects on
small agricultural producers or firms.
In discussing the impacts of the
amendments on growers and handlers,
record evidence indicates that the
changes are expected to be positive
because the administration of the
programs would be more efficient, and
therefore more effective, in executing
Committee duties and responsibilities.
USDA has not identified any relevant
Federal rules that duplicate, overlap or
conflict with this rule. These
amendments are designed to enhance
the administration and functioning of
the order for the benefit of the Florida
citrus industry.
Paperwork Reduction Act
Current information collection
requirements for Part 905 are approved
by the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) under OMB Number
0581–0189—‘‘Generic OMB Fruit
Crops.’’ In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. Chapter 35), the termination of
the Letter of Acceptance has been
submitted to the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) for approval. The
Letter of Acceptance has no time or cost
burden associated with it due to the fact
that handlers simply sign the form upon
accepting nomination to the Committee.
As a result, the current number of hours
associated with OMB No. 0581–0189,
Generic Fruit Crops, would remain the
same: 7,786.71 hours.
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.
Civil Justice Reform
The amendments to the order
contained herein have been reviewed
under Executive Order 12988, Civil
Justice Reform. They are not intended to
have retroactive effect. The amendments
do not preempt any State or local laws,
regulations, or policies, unless they
present an irreconcilable conflict with
this proposal.
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
PO 00000
Frm 00021
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
10453
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
no later than 20 days after the date of
entry of the ruling.
Order Amending the Order Regulating
the Handling of Oranges, Grapefruit,
Tangerines, and Tangelos Grown in
Florida 1
Findings and Determinations
The findings and determinations
hereinafter set forth are supplementary
to the findings and determinations that
were previously made in connection
with the issuance of the marketing
order; and all said previous findings and
determinations are hereby ratified and
affirmed, except insofar as such findings
and determinations may be in conflict
with the findings and determinations set
forth herein.
(a) Findings and Determinations
Upon the Basis of the Hearing Record.
Pursuant to the provisions of the
Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act
of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601–674),
and the applicable rules of practice and
procedure effective thereunder (7 CFR
part 900), a public hearing was held
upon proposed further amendment of
Marketing Order No. 905, regulating the
handling of oranges, grapefruit,
tangerines, and tangelos grown in
Florida.
Upon the basis of the evidence
introduced at such hearing and the
record thereof, it is found that:
(1) The marketing order, as amended,
and as hereby further amended, and all
of the terms and conditions thereof, will
tend to effectuate the declared policy of
the Act;
(2) The marketing order, as amended,
and as hereby further amended,
regulates the handling of oranges,
grapefruit, tangerines, and pummelos
grown in the production area in the
same manner as, and are applicable only
to, persons in the respective classes of
commercial and industrial activity
specified in the marketing order upon
which a hearing has been held;
1 This order shall not become effective unless and
until the requirements of § 900.14 of the rules of
practice and procedure governing proceedings to
formulate marketing agreements and marketing
orders have been met.
E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM
01MRR1
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES
10454
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 40 / Tuesday, March 1, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
(3) The marketing order, as amended,
and as hereby further amended, is
limited in its application to the smallest
regional production area that is
practicable, consistent with carrying out
the declared policy of the Act, and the
issuance of several orders applicable to
subdivisions of the production area
would not effectively carry out the
declared policy of the Act;
(4) The marketing order, as amended,
and as hereby further amended,
prescribes, insofar as practicable, such
different terms applicable to different
parts of the production area as are
necessary to give due recognition to the
differences in the production and
marketing of oranges, grapefruit,
tangerines, and pummelos grown in the
production area; and
(5) All handling of oranges, grapefruit,
tangerines, and pummelos grown in the
production area as defined in the
marketing order is in the current of
interstate or foreign commerce or
directly burdens, obstructs, or affects
such commerce.
(b) Additional findings.
It is necessary and in the public
interest to make these amendments to
the order effective not later than one day
after publication in the Federal
Register. A later effective date would
unnecessarily delay implementation of
the amendments for the new crop year,
which begins August 1, 2016.
In view of the foregoing, it is hereby
found and determined that good cause
exists for making these amendments
effective one day after publication in the
Federal Register, and that it would be
contrary to the public interest to delay
the effective date for 30 days after
publication in the Federal Register (Sec.
553(d), Administrative Procedure Act; 5
U.S.C. 551–559).
(c) Determinations. It is hereby
determined that:
(1) Handlers (excluding cooperative
associations of growers who are not
engaged in processing, distributing, or
shipping citrus covered by the order as
hereby amended) who, during the
period August 1, 2014, through July 31,
2015, handled 50 percent or more of the
volume of such citrus covered by said
order, as hereby amended, have signed
an amended marketing agreement;
(2) The issuance of this amendatory
order, further amending the aforesaid
order, was favored or approved by at
least two-thirds of the growers who
participated in a referendum on the
question of approval and who, during
the period of August 1, 2014, through
July 31, 2015 (which has been deemed
to be a representative period), have been
engaged within the production area in
the production of such citrus, such
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:20 Feb 29, 2016
Jkt 238001
growers having also produced for
market at least two-thirds of the volume
of such commodity represented in the
referendum; and
(3) The issuance of this amendatory
order together with a signed marketing
agreement advances the interests of
growers of citrus in the production area
pursuant to the declared policy of the
Act.
limon), lime (C. aurantifolia), citron (C.
medica), kumquat (Fortunella species),
tangelo (C. reticulata x C. paradisi or C.
grandis), tangor (C. reticulata x C.
sinensis), and varieties of these species.
In addition, citrus hybrids include:
Tangelo (C. reticulata x C. paradisi or C.
grandis), tangor (C. reticulata x C.
sinensis), Temple oranges, and varieties
thereof.
Order Relative to Handling
■
It is therefore ordered, That on and
after the effective date hereof, all
handling of oranges, grapefruit,
tangerines, and pummelos grown in
Florida shall be in conformity to, and in
compliance with, the terms and
conditions of the said order as hereby
amended as follows:
The provisions of the proposed
marketing order amending the order
contained in the Secretary’s Decision
issued on February 23, 2015, and
published in the March 3, 2015, issue of
the Federal Register (80 CFR 11335)
will be and are the terms and provisions
of this order amending the order and are
set forth in full below.
§ 905.5
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 905
Grapefruit, Marketing agreements,
Oranges, Pummelos, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements,
Tangerines.
For the reasons set out in the
preamble, 7 CFR part 905 is amended as
follows:
PART 905—ORANGES, GRAPEFRUIT,
TANGERINES, AND PUMMELOS
GROWN IN FLORIDA
1. The authority citation for 7 CFR
part 905 continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601–674.
2. Revise the heading for part 905 to
read as set forth above.
■ 3. Revise § 905.4 to read as follows:
■
§ 905.4
Fruit.
Fruit means any or all varieties of the
following types of citrus fruits grown in
the production area:
(a) Citrus sinensis, Osbeck, commonly
called ‘‘oranges’’;
(b) Citrus paradisi, MacFadyen,
commonly called ‘‘grapefruit’’;
(c) Citrus reticulata, commonly called
‘‘tangerines’’ or ‘‘mandarin’’;
(d) Citrus maxima Merr (L.); Osbeck,
commonly called ‘‘pummelo’’; and,
(e) ‘‘Citrus hybrids’’ that are hybrids
between or among one or more of the
four fruits in paragraphs (a) through (d)
of this section and the following:
Trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata),
sour orange (C. aurantium), lemon (C.
PO 00000
Frm 00022
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
4. Revise § 905.5 to read as follows:
Variety.
Variety or varieties means any one or
more of the following classifications or
groupings of fruit:
(a) Oranges. (1) Early and Midseason
oranges;
(2) Valencia, Lue Gim Gong, and
similar late maturing oranges of the
Valencia type;
(3) Navel oranges.
(b) Grapefruit. (1) Red Grapefruit, to
include all shades of color;
(2) White Grapefruit.
(c) Tangerines and mandarins. (1)
Dancy and similar tangerines;
(2) Robinson tangerines;
(3) Honey tangerines;
(4) Fall-Glo tangerines;
(5) US Early Pride tangerines;
(6) Sunburst tangerines;
(7) W-Murcott tangerines;
(8) Tangors.
(d) Pummelos. (1) Hirado Buntan and
other pink seeded pummelos;
(2) [Reserved].
(e) Citrus hybrids—(1) Tangelos. (i)
Orlando tangelo;
(ii) Minneola tangelo.
(2) Temple oranges.
(f) Other varieties of citrus fruits
specified in § 905.4, including hybrids,
as recommended and approved by the
Secretary. Provided, That in order to
add any hybrid variety of citrus fruit to
be regulated under this provision, such
variety must exhibit similar
characteristics and be subject to cultural
practices common to existing regulated
varieties.
■
5. Revise § 905.7 to read as follows:
§ 905.7
Handler.
Handler is synonymous with shipper
and means any person (except a
common or contract carrier transporting
fruit for another person) who, as owner,
agent, or otherwise, handles fruit in
fresh form, or causes fruit to be handled.
Each handler shall be registered with
the Committee pursuant to rules
recommended by the Committee and
approved by the Secretary.
E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM
01MRR1
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 40 / Tuesday, March 1, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
■
6. Revise § 905.9 to read as follows:
§ 905.9
Handle or ship.
Handle or ship means to sell,
transport, deliver, pack, prepare for
market, grade, or in any other way to
place fruit in the current of commerce
within the production area or between
any point in the production area and
any point outside thereof.
■ 7. Revise § 905.14 to read as
follows:
§ 905.14
Redistricting.
(a) The Committee may, with the
approval of the Secretary, redefine the
districts into which the production area
is divided or reapportion or otherwise
change the grower membership of
districts, or both: Provided, That the
membership shall consist of at least
eight but not more than nine grower
members, and any such change shall
be based, insofar as practicable, upon
the respective averages for the
immediately preceding three fiscal
periods of:
(1) The number of bearing trees in
each district;
(2) The volume of fresh fruit produced
in each district;
(3) The total number of acres of citrus
in each district; and
(4) Other relevant factors.
(b) Each redistricting or
reapportionment shall be announced on
or prior to March 1 preceding the
effective fiscal period.
■ 8. Revise § 905.20 to read as follows:
§ 905.20
Term of office.
The term of office of members and
alternate members shall begin on the
first day of August of even-numbered
years and continue for two years and
until their successors are selected and
have qualified. The consecutive terms of
office of a member shall be limited to
two terms. The terms of office of
alternate members shall not be so
limited. Members, their alternates,
and their respective successors shall be
nominated and selected by the Secretary
as provided in §§ 905.22 and 905.23.
■ 9. In § 905.22, revise paragraphs (a)(1)
and (b)(1) and add paragraph (c) to read
as follows:
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES
§ 905.22
Nominations.
(a) Grower members. (1) The
Committee shall give public notice of a
meeting of producers in each district to
be held not later than June 10th of evennumbered years, for the purpose of
making nominations for grower
members and alternate grower members.
The Committee, with the approval of the
Secretary, shall prescribe uniform rules
to govern such meetings and the
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:20 Feb 29, 2016
Jkt 238001
balloting thereat. The chairman of each
meeting shall publicly announce at such
meeting the names of the persons
nominated, and the chairman and
secretary of each such meeting shall
transmit to the Secretary their
certification as to the number of votes so
cast, the names of the persons
nominated, and such other information
as the Secretary may request. All
nominations shall be submitted to the
Secretary on or before the 20th day of
June.
*
*
*
*
*
(b) Shipper members. (1) The
Committee shall give public notice of a
meeting for bona fide cooperative
marketing organizations which are
handlers, and a meeting for other
handlers who are not so affiliated, to be
held not later than June 10th of evennumbered years, for the purpose of
making nominations for shipper
members and their alternates. The
Committee, with the approval of the
Secretary, shall prescribe uniform rules
to govern each such meeting and the
balloting thereat. The chairperson of
each such meeting shall publicly
announce at the meeting the names of
the persons nominated and the
chairman and secretary of each such
meeting shall transmit to the Secretary
their certification as to the number of
votes cast, the weight by volume of
those shipments voted, and such other
information as the Secretary may
request. All nominations shall be
submitted to the Secretary on or before
the 20th day of June.
*
*
*
*
*
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of
paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section,
nomination and election of members
and alternate members to the Committee
may be conducted by mail, electronic
mail, or other means according to rules
and regulations recommended by the
Committee and approved by the
Secretary.
■ 10. Revise § 905.28 to read as follows:
§ 905.28
expenses incurred, the Committee, with
the approval of the Secretary, may carry
over such excess into subsequent fiscal
periods as a reserve: Provided, That
funds already in the reserve do not
exceed approximately two fiscal
periods’ expenses. * * *
*
*
*
*
*
12. In § 905.52, revise paragraphs
(a)(4) and (5) and add paragraph (a)(6)
to read as follows:
■
§ 905.52
Issuance of regulations.
(a) * * *
(4) Establish, prescribe, and fix the
size, capacity, weight, dimensions,
marking (including labels and stamps),
or pack of the container or containers
which may be used in the packaging,
transportation, sale, shipment, or other
handling of fruit.
(5) Provide requirements that may be
different for the handling of fruit within
the production area, the handling of
fruit for export, or for the handling of
fruit between the production area and
any point outside thereof within the
United States.
(6) Any regulations or requirements
pertaining to intrastate shipments shall
not be implemented unless Florida
statutes and regulations regulating such
shipments are not in effect.
*
*
*
*
*
Dated: February 25, 2016.
Elanor Starmer,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–04470 Filed 2–29–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–02–P
Qualification and acceptance.
Any person nominated to serve as a
member or alternate member of the
Committee shall, prior to selection by
the Secretary, qualify by filing a written
qualification and acceptance statement
indicating such person’s qualifications
and willingness to serve in the position
for which nominated.
■ 11. In § 905.42, revise the first
sentence of paragraph (a) to read as
follows:
§ 905.42
Handler’s accounts.
(a) If, at the end of a fiscal period, the
assessments collected are in excess of
PO 00000
Frm 00023
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 9990
10455
E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM
01MRR1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 1, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10451-10455]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04470]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
7 CFR Part 905
[Doc. No. AO-13-0163; AMS-FV-12-0069; FV13-905-1]
Oranges, Grapefruit, Tangerines, and Tangelos Grown in Florida;
Order Amending Marketing Order No. 905
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This final rule amends Marketing Order No. 905 (order), which
regulates the handling of oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and tangelos
(citrus) grown in Florida. The amendments were proposed by the Citrus
Administrative Committee (Committee), which locally administers the
order, and is comprised of growers and handlers. These amendments:
Authorize regulation of new varieties and hybrids of citrus fruit;
authorize the regulation of intrastate shipments of fruit; revise the
process for redistricting the production area; change the term of
office and tenure requirements for Committee members; authorize mail
balloting procedures for Committee membership nominations; increase the
capacity of the financial reserve fund; authorize pack and container
requirements for domestic shipments and authorize different regulations
for different markets; eliminate the use of separate acceptance
statements in the nomination process; and require handlers to register
with the Committee. All of the proposals were favored by Florida citrus
growers in a mail referendum, held September 14 through October 5,
2015. Of the 200 votes cast, 96 percent or more of the vote by number
and 99 percent or more by volume approved all nine amendments. The
amendments are intended to
[[Page 10452]]
improve the operation and functioning of the marketing order program.
DATES: This rule is effective March 2, 2016.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melissa Schmaedick, Marketing Order
and Agreement Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, Post Office
Box 952, Moab, UT 84532; Telephone: (202) 557-4783, Fax: (435) 259-
1502, or Michelle Sharrow, Marketing Order and Agreement Division,
Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Stop
0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; Telephone: (202) 720-2491, Fax: (202)
720-8938, or Email: Melissa.Schmaedick@ams.usda.gov or
Michelle.Sharrow@ams.usda.gov.or Melissa.Schmaedick@usda.gov
Small businesses may request information on this proceeding by
contacting Antoinette Carter, Marketing Order and Agreement Division,
Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Stop
0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; Telephone: (202) 720-2491, Fax: (202)
720-8938, or Email: Antoinette.Carter@ams.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Prior documents in this proceeding: Notice
of Hearing published in the March 28, 2013, issue of the Federal
Register (78 FR 18899); a Recommended Decision issued on February 23,
2015, and published in the March 3, 2015, issue of the Federal Register
(80 FR 11335); and, a Secretary's Decision and Referendum Order issued
on July 14, 2015, and published in the Federal Register on July 21,
2015 (80 FR 43040).
This action is governed by the provisions of sections 556 and 557
of title 5 of the United States Code and is therefore excluded from the
requirements of Executive Orders 12866, 13563, and 13175.
Preliminary Statement
The final rule was formulated on the record of a public hearing
held on April 24, 2013, in Winter Haven, Florida. The hearing was held
pursuant to the provisions of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act
of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674), hereinafter referred to as the
``Act,'' and the applicable rules of practice and procedure governing
the formulation of marketing agreements and orders (7 CFR part 900).
Notice of this hearing was published in the Federal Register on March
28, 2013 (78 FR 18899). The notice of hearing contained nine proposals
submitted by the Committee.
Upon the basis of evidence introduced at the hearing and the record
thereof, the Administrator of AMS issued a Recommended Decision and
Opportunity to File Written Exceptions thereto by April 2, 2015. None
were filed.
A Secretary's Decision and Referendum Order was issued on July 14,
2015, directing that a referendum be conducted during the period of
September 14 through October 5, 2015, among eligible Florida citrus
growers to determine whether they favored the proposed amendments to
the order. To become effective, the amendments had to be approved by at
least two-thirds of those growers voting, or by voters representing at
least two-thirds of the volume of citrus represented by voters voting
in the referendum. Voters voting in the referendum favored all of the
proposed amendments.
The amendments favored by voters and included in this final order
will: Authorize regulation of new varieties and hybrids of citrus
fruit; authorize the regulation of intrastate shipments of fruit;
revise the process for redistricting the production area; change the
term of office and tenure requirements for Committee members; authorize
mail balloting procedures for Committee membership nominations;
increase the capacity of financial reserve funds; authorize pack and
container requirements for domestic shipments and authorize different
regulations for different markets; eliminate the use of separate
acceptance statements in the nomination process; and require handlers
to register with the Committee.
USDA also made such changes as were necessary to the order so that
all of the order's provisions conform to the effectuated amendments. A
conforming change was made to the title of 7 CFR part 905. The title is
revised to ``ORANGES, GRAPEFRUIT, TANGERINES, AND PUMMELOS GROWN IN
FLORIDA'' to reflect the addition of pummelos as a regulated fruit and
the inclusion of tangelos as a regulated hybrid variety.
The amended marketing agreement was subsequently mailed to all
citrus handlers in the production area for their approval. The
marketing agreement was approved by handlers representing more than 50
percent of the volume of citrus handled by all handlers during the
representative period of August 1, 2014, through July 31, 2015.
Small Business Consideration
Pursuant to the requirements set forth in the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (RFA), 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
businesses subject to such actions so that small businesses will not be
unduly or disproportionately burdened. Marketing orders and amendments
thereto are unique in that they are normally brought about through
group action of essentially small entities for their own benefit.
According to the 2007 U.S. Census of Agriculture, the number of
citrus growers in Florida was 6,061. According to the National
Agriculture Statistic Service (NASS) Citrus Fruit Report, published
September 19, 2012, the total number of acres used in citrus production
in Florida was 495,100 for the 2011/12 season. Based on the number of
citrus growers from the U.S. Census of Agriculture and the total acres
used for citrus production from NASS, the average citrus farm size is
81.7 acres. NASS also reported the total value of production for
Florida citrus at $1,804,484,000. Taking the total value of production
for Florida citrus and dividing it by the total number of acres used
for citrus production provides a return per acre of $3,644.69. A small
grower as defined by the Small Business Administration (SBA) (13 CFR
121.201) is one that grosses less than $750,000 annually. Multiplying
the return per acre of $3,644.69 by the average citrus farm size of
81.7 acres, yields an average return of $297,720.51. Therefore, a
majority of Florida citrus producers are considered small entities
under SBA's standards.
According to the industry, there were 44 handlers for the 2011/12
season, down 25 percent from the 2002/03 season. A small agricultural
service firm as defined by the SBA is one that grosses less than
$7,000,000 annually. Based on information submitted by industry, 21
handlers would be considered small entities under SBA's standards. A
majority of citrus handlers are considered large entities under SBA's
standards.
The production area regulated under the order covers the portion of
the state of Florida which is bound by the Suwannee River, the Georgia
Border, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Gulf of Mexico. Acreage devoted to
citrus production in the regulated area has declined in recent years.
According to data presented at the hearing, bearing acreage for
oranges reached a high of 605,000 acres during the 2000/01 crop year.
Since then, bearing acreage for oranges has decreased 28 percent. For
grapefruit, bearing acreage reached a high of 107,800 acres during the
2000/01 crop year. Since the 2000/01 crop year,
[[Page 10453]]
bearing acreage for grapefruit has decreased 58 percent. For tangelos,
bearing acreage reached a high for the 2000/01 crop year of 10,800
acres for Florida. Since the 2000/01 crop year, bearing acreage for
tangelos has decreased 62 percent. For tangerines and mandarins,
bearing acreage reached a high for the 2000/01 crop year of 25,500
acres. Since the 2000/01 crop year, bearing acreage for tangerines and
mandarins has decreased 53 percent.
According to data presented at the hearing, the total utilized
production for oranges reached a high during the 2003/04 crop year of
242 million boxes. Since the 2000/01 crop year, total utilized
production for oranges has decreased 34 percent. For grapefruit, the
total utilized production reached a high during the 2001/02 crop year
of 46.7 million boxes. Since the 2000/01 crop year, total utilized
production for grapefruit has decreased 59 percent. For tangelos, the
total utilized production reached a high during the 2002/03 crop year
of 2.4 million boxes. Since the 2000/01 crop year, total utilized
production for tangelos has decreased 45 percent. For tangerines and
mandarins, the total utilized production reached a high during the
2001/02 crop year of 6.6 million boxes. Since the 2000/01 crop year,
total utilized production for tangerines and mandarins has decreased 23
percent.
Material Issues
This action amends the order to: Authorize regulation of new
varieties and hybrids of citrus fruit; authorize the regulation of
intrastate shipments of fruit; revise the process for redistricting the
production area; change the term of office and tenure requirements for
Committee members; authorize mail balloting procedures for Committee
membership nominations; increase the capacity of financial reserve
funds; authorize pack and container requirements for domestic shipments
and authorize different regulations for different markets; eliminate
the use of separate acceptance statements in the nomination process;
and require handlers to register with the Committee.
These amendments will streamline program operations, but are not
expected to result in a significant change in industry production,
handling or distribution activities.
During the hearing held on April 24, 2013, interested persons were
invited to present evidence on the probable regulatory and
informational impact of the proposed amendments to the order on small
businesses. The evidence presented at the hearing shows that none of
the proposed amendments would have any burdensome effects on small
agricultural producers or firms.
In discussing the impacts of the amendments on growers and
handlers, record evidence indicates that the changes are expected to be
positive because the administration of the programs would be more
efficient, and therefore more effective, in executing Committee duties
and responsibilities.
USDA has not identified any relevant Federal rules that duplicate,
overlap or conflict with this rule. These amendments are designed to
enhance the administration and functioning of the order for the benefit
of the Florida citrus industry.
Paperwork Reduction Act
Current information collection requirements for Part 905 are
approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB Number
0581-0189--``Generic OMB Fruit Crops.'' In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the termination
of the Letter of Acceptance has been submitted to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for approval. The Letter of Acceptance has
no time or cost burden associated with it due to the fact that handlers
simply sign the form upon accepting nomination to the Committee. As a
result, the current number of hours associated with OMB No. 0581-0189,
Generic Fruit Crops, would remain the same: 7,786.71 hours.
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.
Civil Justice Reform
The amendments to the order contained herein have been reviewed
under Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform. They are not
intended to have retroactive effect. The amendments do not preempt any
State or local laws, regulations, or policies, unless they present an
irreconcilable conflict with this proposal.
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 no later than 20 days after the date of
entry of the ruling.
Order Amending the Order Regulating the Handling of Oranges,
Grapefruit, Tangerines, and Tangelos Grown in Florida \1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ This order shall not become effective unless and until the
requirements of Sec. 900.14 of the rules of practice and procedure
governing proceedings to formulate marketing agreements and
marketing orders have been met.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Findings and Determinations
The findings and determinations hereinafter set forth are
supplementary to the findings and determinations that were previously
made in connection with the issuance of the marketing order; and all
said previous findings and determinations are hereby ratified and
affirmed, except insofar as such findings and determinations may be in
conflict with the findings and determinations set forth herein.
(a) Findings and Determinations Upon the Basis of the Hearing
Record.
Pursuant to the provisions of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement
Act of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674), and the applicable rules of
practice and procedure effective thereunder (7 CFR part 900), a public
hearing was held upon proposed further amendment of Marketing Order No.
905, regulating the handling of oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and
tangelos grown in Florida.
Upon the basis of the evidence introduced at such hearing and the
record thereof, it is found that:
(1) The marketing order, as amended, and as hereby further amended,
and all of the terms and conditions thereof, will tend to effectuate
the declared policy of the Act;
(2) The marketing order, as amended, and as hereby further amended,
regulates the handling of oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and pummelos
grown in the production area in the same manner as, and are applicable
only to, persons in the respective classes of commercial and industrial
activity specified in the marketing order upon which a hearing has been
held;
[[Page 10454]]
(3) The marketing order, as amended, and as hereby further amended,
is limited in its application to the smallest regional production area
that is practicable, consistent with carrying out the declared policy
of the Act, and the issuance of several orders applicable to
subdivisions of the production area would not effectively carry out the
declared policy of the Act;
(4) The marketing order, as amended, and as hereby further amended,
prescribes, insofar as practicable, such different terms applicable to
different parts of the production area as are necessary to give due
recognition to the differences in the production and marketing of
oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and pummelos grown in the production
area; and
(5) All handling of oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and pummelos
grown in the production area as defined in the marketing order is in
the current of interstate or foreign commerce or directly burdens,
obstructs, or affects such commerce.
(b) Additional findings.
It is necessary and in the public interest to make these amendments
to the order effective not later than one day after publication in the
Federal Register. A later effective date would unnecessarily delay
implementation of the amendments for the new crop year, which begins
August 1, 2016.
In view of the foregoing, it is hereby found and determined that
good cause exists for making these amendments effective one day after
publication in the Federal Register, and that it would be contrary to
the public interest to delay the effective date for 30 days after
publication in the Federal Register (Sec. 553(d), Administrative
Procedure Act; 5 U.S.C. 551-559).
(c) Determinations. It is hereby determined that:
(1) Handlers (excluding cooperative associations of growers who are
not engaged in processing, distributing, or shipping citrus covered by
the order as hereby amended) who, during the period August 1, 2014,
through July 31, 2015, handled 50 percent or more of the volume of such
citrus covered by said order, as hereby amended, have signed an amended
marketing agreement;
(2) The issuance of this amendatory order, further amending the
aforesaid order, was favored or approved by at least two-thirds of the
growers who participated in a referendum on the question of approval
and who, during the period of August 1, 2014, through July 31, 2015
(which has been deemed to be a representative period), have been
engaged within the production area in the production of such citrus,
such growers having also produced for market at least two-thirds of the
volume of such commodity represented in the referendum; and
(3) The issuance of this amendatory order together with a signed
marketing agreement advances the interests of growers of citrus in the
production area pursuant to the declared policy of the Act.
Order Relative to Handling
It is therefore ordered, That on and after the effective date
hereof, all handling of oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and pummelos
grown in Florida shall be in conformity to, and in compliance with, the
terms and conditions of the said order as hereby amended as follows:
The provisions of the proposed marketing order amending the order
contained in the Secretary's Decision issued on February 23, 2015, and
published in the March 3, 2015, issue of the Federal Register (80 CFR
11335) will be and are the terms and provisions of this order amending
the order and are set forth in full below.
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 905
Grapefruit, Marketing agreements, Oranges, Pummelos, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Tangerines.
For the reasons set out in the preamble, 7 CFR part 905 is amended
as follows:
PART 905--ORANGES, GRAPEFRUIT, TANGERINES, AND PUMMELOS GROWN IN
FLORIDA
0
1. The authority citation for 7 CFR part 905 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601-674.
0
2. Revise the heading for part 905 to read as set forth above.
0
3. Revise Sec. 905.4 to read as follows:
Sec. 905.4 Fruit.
Fruit means any or all varieties of the following types of citrus
fruits grown in the production area:
(a) Citrus sinensis, Osbeck, commonly called ``oranges'';
(b) Citrus paradisi, MacFadyen, commonly called ``grapefruit'';
(c) Citrus reticulata, commonly called ``tangerines'' or
``mandarin'';
(d) Citrus maxima Merr (L.); Osbeck, commonly called ``pummelo'';
and,
(e) ``Citrus hybrids'' that are hybrids between or among one or
more of the four fruits in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section
and the following: Trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata), sour orange
(C. aurantium), lemon (C. limon), lime (C. aurantifolia), citron (C.
medica), kumquat (Fortunella species), tangelo (C. reticulata x C.
paradisi or C. grandis), tangor (C. reticulata x C. sinensis), and
varieties of these species. In addition, citrus hybrids include:
Tangelo (C. reticulata x C. paradisi or C. grandis), tangor (C.
reticulata x C. sinensis), Temple oranges, and varieties thereof.
0
4. Revise Sec. 905.5 to read as follows:
Sec. 905.5 Variety.
Variety or varieties means any one or more of the following
classifications or groupings of fruit:
(a) Oranges. (1) Early and Midseason oranges;
(2) Valencia, Lue Gim Gong, and similar late maturing oranges of
the Valencia type;
(3) Navel oranges.
(b) Grapefruit. (1) Red Grapefruit, to include all shades of color;
(2) White Grapefruit.
(c) Tangerines and mandarins. (1) Dancy and similar tangerines;
(2) Robinson tangerines;
(3) Honey tangerines;
(4) Fall-Glo tangerines;
(5) US Early Pride tangerines;
(6) Sunburst tangerines;
(7) W-Murcott tangerines;
(8) Tangors.
(d) Pummelos. (1) Hirado Buntan and other pink seeded pummelos;
(2) [Reserved].
(e) Citrus hybrids--(1) Tangelos. (i) Orlando tangelo;
(ii) Minneola tangelo.
(2) Temple oranges.
(f) Other varieties of citrus fruits specified in Sec. 905.4,
including hybrids, as recommended and approved by the Secretary.
Provided, That in order to add any hybrid variety of citrus fruit to be
regulated under this provision, such variety must exhibit similar
characteristics and be subject to cultural practices common to existing
regulated varieties.
0
5. Revise Sec. 905.7 to read as follows:
Sec. 905.7 Handler.
Handler is synonymous with shipper and means any person (except a
common or contract carrier transporting fruit for another person) who,
as owner, agent, or otherwise, handles fruit in fresh form, or causes
fruit to be handled. Each handler shall be registered with the
Committee pursuant to rules recommended by the Committee and approved
by the Secretary.
[[Page 10455]]
0
6. Revise Sec. 905.9 to read as follows:
Sec. 905.9 Handle or ship.
Handle or ship means to sell, transport, deliver, pack, prepare for
market, grade, or in any other way to place fruit in the current of
commerce within the production area or between any point in the
production area and any point outside thereof.
0
7. Revise Sec. 905.14 to read as follows:
Sec. 905.14 Redistricting.
(a) The Committee may, with the approval of the Secretary, redefine
the districts into which the production area is divided or reapportion
or otherwise change the grower membership of districts, or both:
Provided, That the membership shall consist of at least eight but not
more than nine grower members, and any such change shall be based,
insofar as practicable, upon the respective averages for the
immediately preceding three fiscal periods of:
(1) The number of bearing trees in each district;
(2) The volume of fresh fruit produced in each district;
(3) The total number of acres of citrus in each district; and
(4) Other relevant factors.
(b) Each redistricting or reapportionment shall be announced on or
prior to March 1 preceding the effective fiscal period.
0
8. Revise Sec. 905.20 to read as follows:
Sec. 905.20 Term of office.
The term of office of members and alternate members shall begin on
the first day of August of even-numbered years and continue for two
years and until their successors are selected and have qualified. The
consecutive terms of office of a member shall be limited to two terms.
The terms of office of alternate members shall not be so limited.
Members, their alternates, and their respective successors shall be
nominated and selected by the Secretary as provided in Sec. Sec.
905.22 and 905.23.
0
9. In Sec. 905.22, revise paragraphs (a)(1) and (b)(1) and add
paragraph (c) to read as follows:
Sec. 905.22 Nominations.
(a) Grower members. (1) The Committee shall give public notice of a
meeting of producers in each district to be held not later than June
10th of even-numbered years, for the purpose of making nominations for
grower members and alternate grower members. The Committee, with the
approval of the Secretary, shall prescribe uniform rules to govern such
meetings and the balloting thereat. The chairman of each meeting shall
publicly announce at such meeting the names of the persons nominated,
and the chairman and secretary of each such meeting shall transmit to
the Secretary their certification as to the number of votes so cast,
the names of the persons nominated, and such other information as the
Secretary may request. All nominations shall be submitted to the
Secretary on or before the 20th day of June.
* * * * *
(b) Shipper members. (1) The Committee shall give public notice of
a meeting for bona fide cooperative marketing organizations which are
handlers, and a meeting for other handlers who are not so affiliated,
to be held not later than June 10th of even-numbered years, for the
purpose of making nominations for shipper members and their alternates.
The Committee, with the approval of the Secretary, shall prescribe
uniform rules to govern each such meeting and the balloting thereat.
The chairperson of each such meeting shall publicly announce at the
meeting the names of the persons nominated and the chairman and
secretary of each such meeting shall transmit to the Secretary their
certification as to the number of votes cast, the weight by volume of
those shipments voted, and such other information as the Secretary may
request. All nominations shall be submitted to the Secretary on or
before the 20th day of June.
* * * * *
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of
this section, nomination and election of members and alternate members
to the Committee may be conducted by mail, electronic mail, or other
means according to rules and regulations recommended by the Committee
and approved by the Secretary.
0
10. Revise Sec. 905.28 to read as follows:
Sec. 905.28 Qualification and acceptance.
Any person nominated to serve as a member or alternate member of
the Committee shall, prior to selection by the Secretary, qualify by
filing a written qualification and acceptance statement indicating such
person's qualifications and willingness to serve in the position for
which nominated.
0
11. In Sec. 905.42, revise the first sentence of paragraph (a) to read
as follows:
Sec. 905.42 Handler's accounts.
(a) If, at the end of a fiscal period, the assessments collected
are in excess of expenses incurred, the Committee, with the approval of
the Secretary, may carry over such excess into subsequent fiscal
periods as a reserve: Provided, That funds already in the reserve do
not exceed approximately two fiscal periods' expenses. * * *
* * * * *
0
12. In Sec. 905.52, revise paragraphs (a)(4) and (5) and add paragraph
(a)(6) to read as follows:
Sec. 905.52 Issuance of regulations.
(a) * * *
(4) Establish, prescribe, and fix the size, capacity, weight,
dimensions, marking (including labels and stamps), or pack of the
container or containers which may be used in the packaging,
transportation, sale, shipment, or other handling of fruit.
(5) Provide requirements that may be different for the handling of
fruit within the production area, the handling of fruit for export, or
for the handling of fruit between the production area and any point
outside thereof within the United States.
(6) Any regulations or requirements pertaining to intrastate
shipments shall not be implemented unless Florida statutes and
regulations regulating such shipments are not in effect.
* * * * *
Dated: February 25, 2016.
Elanor Starmer,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-04470 Filed 2-29-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P