Amendment to the Beef Promotion and Research Rules and Regulations, 14022-14024 [2016-05859]

Download as PDF 14022 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 51 / Wednesday, March 16, 2016 / Proposed Rules responsible for collecting and remitting assessments to the Board. There are approximately 138 egg handlers who collect assessments. Assessments under the program are used by the Board to finance promotion, research, and consumer information programs designed to increase consumer demand for eggs in domestic and international markets. In 13 CFR part 121, the Small Business Administration (SBA) defines small agricultural producers as those having annual receipts of no more than $750,000 and small agricultural service firms as those having annual receipts of no more than $7 million. Under this definition, the vast majority of the egg producers that would be affected by this rulemaking would not be considered small entities. Producers owning 75,000 or fewer laying hens are eligible to be exempt from this program. This rulemaking does not impose additional recordkeeping requirements on egg producers or collecting handlers. There are no federal rules that duplicate, overlap, or conflict with this proposed rule. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS Paperwork Reduction Act In accordance with OMB regulation 5 CFR part 1320, which implements the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 [44 U.S.C. Chapter 35], the information collection and recordkeeping requirements that are imposed by the Order and Rules and Regulations have been approved previously under OMB control number 0581–0093. This proposed rule does not result in a change to those information collection and recordkeeping requirements. Background The Act established a national egg research and promotion program— administered by the Board—that is financed through industry assessments and subject to oversight by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service. This program of promotion, research, and consumer information is designed to strengthen the position of eggs in the marketplace and to establish, maintain, and expand markets for eggs. Under the current Regulations initially established in 1976, any IP financed by assessment funds or other revenues of the Board shall become property of the U.S. Government as represented by the Board. The language does not allow for alternative ownership arrangements. In addition, there is no explicit allowance for alternative ownership arrangements in cases where the Board is not providing all of the funding for a project. The current language in the Regulation has made VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:39 Mar 15, 2016 Jkt 238001 negotiating contracts for shared ownership of IP rights with research entities difficult and in some cases impossible. Specifically, a majority of university policies typically reflect a requirement for the university to own any IP created under research projects they conduct, even if the project is funded with outside money. These university policies have made it difficult for the Board to contract with universities for research due to the IP ownership requirements contained in the Regulation. As a result, USDA is proposing to amend § 1250.542 of the Regulations to incorporate language utilized by research and promotion boards created under the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996, 7 U.S.C. 7411 et seq., that would provide the Board with some flexibility in negotiating the ownership of IP rights. The research and promotion boards created under the Commodity Promotion, Research and Information Act of 1996 have utilized the language proposed herein to negotiate IP ownership rights to effectively expend assessment funds to promote agricultural commodities. Currently, the Regulations state that IP accruing from work funded by the Board shall become property of the U.S Government as represented by the Board and that IP may be licensed subject to approval by the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary). This proposed rule would change the language to allow that ownership of any IP developed during a project funded by the Board to be determined by agreement between the Board and another party, which will provide the Board with the flexibility it needs to negotiate contracts for projects that may involve IP rights. List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 1250 Administrative practice and procedure, Advertising, Agricultural research, Eggs and egg products, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. For the reasons set forth in the preamble, it is proposed that 7 CFR part 1250 be amended as follows: § 1250.542 Patents, copyrights, inventions, trademarks, information, publications, and product formulations. (a) Any patents, copyrights, inventions, trademarks, information, publications, or product formulations developed through the use of funds collected by the Board under the provisions of this subpart shall be the property of the U.S. Government, as represented by the Board, and shall, along with any rents, royalties, residual payments, or other income from the rental, sales, leasing, franchising, or other uses of such patents, copyrights, inventions, trademarks, information, publications, or product formulations, inure to the benefit of the Board; shall be considered income subject to the same fiscal, budget, and audit controls as other funds of the Board; and may be licensed subject to approval by the Secretary. Upon termination of this subpart, § 1250.358 shall apply to determine disposition of all such property. (b) Should patents, copyrights, inventions, trademarks, information, publications, or product formulations be developed through the use of funds collected by the Board under this subpart and funds contributed by another organization or person, ownership and related rights to such patents, copyrights, inventions, trademarks, information, publications, or product formulations shall be determined by agreement between the Board and the party contributing funds towards the development of such patents, copyrights, inventions, trademarks, information, publications, or product formulations in a manner consistent with paragraph (a) of this section. Dated: March 10, 2016. Elanor Starmer, Acting Administrator. [FR Doc. 2016–05838 Filed 3–15–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–02–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service 7 CFR Part 1260 [No. AMS–LPS–15–0084] PART 1250—EGG RESEARCH AND PROMOTION 1. The authority citation of 7 CFR part 1250 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 7 U.S.C. 2701–2718 and 7 U.S.C. 7401. 2. Revise § 1250.542 to read as follows: ■ PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 Amendment to the Beef Promotion and Research Rules and Regulations Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Proposed rule. AGENCY: This proposed rule would amend the Beef Promotion and Research Order (Order) established under the SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\16MRP1.SGM 16MRP1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 51 / Wednesday, March 16, 2016 / Proposed Rules Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985 (Act) to increase assessment levels for imported veal and veal products based on revised determinations of live animal equivalencies and to update and expand the Harmonized Tariff System (HTS) numbers and categories, which identify imported veal and veal products to conform with recent updates in the numbers and categories used by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Customs). DATES: Comments must be received by May 16, 2016. ADDRESSES: Comments should be posted online at www.regulations.gov. Comments received will be posted without change, including any personal information provided. All comments should reference the docket number, AMS–LPS–15–0084; the date of submission; and the page number of this issue of the Federal Register. Comments may also be sent to Mike Dinkel, Promotion and Research Division, Livestock, Poultry, and Seed Program, Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture, Room 2610– S, STOP 0251, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250– 0251; or via Fax to (202) 720–1125. Comments will be made available for public inspection at the above address during regular business hours or via the Internet at www.regulations.gov. Comments must be received by May 16, 2016. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Dinkel, Agricultural Marketing Specialist; Research and Promotion Division, Room 2610–S; Livestock, Poultry and Seed Program; Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA; STOP 0251; 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250–0251; facsimile (202) 720–1125; telephone (301) 352– 7497, or by email at Michael.Dinkel@ ams.usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS Executive Order 12866 The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has waived the review process required by Executive Order 12866 for this action. Executive Order 12988 This proposed rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform. This rule is not intended to have a retroactive effect. Section 11 of the Act provides that nothing in the Act may be construed to preempt or supersede any other program relating to beef promotion organized and operated under the laws of the U.S. or any State. There are no administrative proceedings that must be VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:39 Mar 15, 2016 Jkt 238001 exhausted prior to any judicial challenge to the provisions of this rule. Regulatory Flexibility Act Pursuant to requirements set forth in the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the Acting Administrator of AMS has considered the economic effect of this action on small entities and has determined that this proposed rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small business entities. The effect of the Beef Order upon small entities was discussed in the July 18, 1986, Federal Register [51 FR 26132]. The purpose of RFA is to fit regulatory actions to the scale of businesses subject to such actions in order that small businesses will not be unduly burdened. There are approximately 270 importers who import beef or edible beef products into the U.S. and 198 importers who import live cattle into the U.S. The majority of these operations subject to the Beef Order are considered small businesses under the criteria established by the Small Business Administration (SBA)[13 CFR 121.201]. SBA defines small agricultural service firms as those having annual receipts of $7.5 million or less. The proposed rule will impose no significant burden on the industry. It will merely update and expand the HTS numbers and categories for veal and veal products to conform to recent updates in the numbers and categories used by Customs. This proposed rule will adjust the live animal equivalencies used to determine the amount of assessments collected on imported veal and veal products. This adjustment reflects an increase in the assessment of imported veal product so that it coincides with the assessment on domestic veal product. Accordingly, the Acting Administrator of AMS has determined that this action will not have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities. Paperwork Reduction Act In accordance with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations [5 CFR part 1320] that implement the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 [44 U.S.C. Chapter 35], the information collection and recordkeeping requirements contained in the Beef Order and Rules and Regulations have previously been approved by OMB under OMB control number 0581–0093. Background The Act authorized the establishment of a national beef promotion and PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 14023 research program. The final Beef Order was published in the Federal Register on July 18, 1986, (51 FR 21632), and the collection of assessments began on October 1, 1986. The program is administered by the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board (Board), appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) from industry nominations, and composed of 100 cattle producers and importers. The program is funded by a $1-per-head assessment on producer marketing of cattle in the U.S. and on imported cattle as well as an equivalent amount on imported beef and beef products. Importers pay assessments on imported cattle, beef, and beef products. Customs collects and remits the assessment to the Board. The term ‘‘importer’’ is defined as ‘‘any person who imports cattle, beef, or beef products from outside the United States.’’ Imported beef or beef products is defined as ‘‘products which are imported into the United States which the Secretary determines contain a substantial amount of beef including those products which have been assigned one or more of the following numbers in the Tariff Schedule of the United States.’’ The purpose of this proposed rule is to update, expand, and revise the table found under § 1260.172 (7 CFR 1260.172) to reflect the current HTS numbers and assessments on veal and veal products. As a result of these changes to HTS, there are 6 new categories that cover imported veal and veal products subject to assessment. The 30 categories identifying imported beef and beef products have been expanded to 66 categories. This proposed rule updates and expands the chart published in the 2006 final rule to conform with recent changes to the HTS numbering system and revises the live weight equivalents used to calculate import veal assessments. Importers are currently paying a lower assessment level for imported veal and veal products than what is being paid for domestic veal and veal products. At that time, the average dressed weight of veal slaughtered under Federal inspection was determined to be 154 pounds. USDA determined that using the average dressed weight of domestic veal slaughtered under Federal inspection would be most suitable because most of the imported veal and veal products were similar to domestic veal. The Act requires that assessments on imported beef and beef products be determined by converting such imports into live animal equivalents to ascertain E:\FR\FM\16MRP1.SGM 16MRP1 14024 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 51 / Wednesday, March 16, 2016 / Proposed Rules the corresponding number of head of cattle. Carcass weight is the principle factor in calculating live animal equivalents. Prior to publishing the proposed rule, USDA received information from the Board regarding imported veal assessments on April 7, 2015. The Board requested to expand the number of HTS codes for imported veal and veal products in order to capture product that is not currently being assessed and to update the live animal equivalency rate on imported veal to reflect the same assessment as domestic veal and veal products. The Board also suggested that AMS update the dressed veal weight to better reflect current dressed veal weights. The Board recommends using an average dressed veal weight from 2010 to the most current data. The Board states that ‘‘establishing an average over this period of time takes into account short term highs and lows due to the cattle cycle, weather effects, and feed prices.’’ This average would be 154 pounds. List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 1260 Administrative practice and procedure, Advertising, Agricultural research, Marketing agreements, Meat and meat products, Beef, and Beef products. For the reasons set forth in the preamble, title 7 of the CFR part 1260 is proposed to be amended as follows: PART 1260—BEEF PROMOTION AND RESEARCH 1. The authority citation for 7 CFR part 1260 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 7 U.S.C. 2901–2911 and 7 U.S.C. 7401. 2. Amend § 1260.172 by revising paragraph (b)(2) to read as follows: ■ § 1260.172 Assessments. * * * * * (b) * * * (2) The assessment rates for imported cattle, beef, and beef products are as follows: IMPORTED LIVE CATTLE mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS HTS No. 0102.10.0010 0102.10.0020 0102.10.0030 0102.10.0050 0102.90.2011 0102.90.2012 0102.90.4024 0102.90.4028 0102.90.4034 0102.90.4038 0102.90.4054 VerDate Sep<11>2014 ............ ............ ............ ............ ............ ............ ............ ............ ............ ............ ............ Assessment rate $1.00/head. $1.00/head. $1.00/head. $1.00/head. $1.00/head. $1.00/head. $1.00/head. $1.00/head. $1.00/head. $1.00/head. $1.00/head. 16:39 Mar 15, 2016 Jkt 238001 IMPORTED LIVE CATTLE—Continued HTS No. 0102.90.4058 0102.90.4062 0102.90.4064 0102.90.4066 0102.90.4068 0102.90.4072 0102.90.4074 0102.90.4082 0102.90.4084 ............ ............ ............ ............ ............ ............ ............ ............ ............ NEW IMPORTED (VEAL) BEEF AND BEEF PRODUCTS Assessment rate $1.00/head. $1.00/head. $1.00/head. $1.00/head. $1.00/head. $1.00/head. $1.00/head. $1.00/head. $1.00/head. 0201.20.5010 0201.20.5020 0201.30.5010 0201.30.5020 0202.30.5010 0202.30.5020 * IMPORTED BEEF AND BEEF PRODUCTS Assessment rate per kg HTS No. 0201.10.0510 0201.10.0590 0201.10.1010 0201.10.1090 0201.10.5010 0201.10.5090 0201.20.0200 0201.20.0400 0201.20.0600 0201.20.1000 0201.20.3000 0201.20.5000 0201.20.8090 0201.30.0200 0201.30.0400 0201.30.0600 0201.30.1000 0201.30.3000 0201.30.5000 0201.30.8090 0202.10.0510 0202.10.0590 0202.10.1010 0202.10.1090 0202.10.5010 0202.10.5090 0202.20.0200 0202.20.0400 0202.20.0600 0202.20.1000 0202.20.3000 0202.20.5000 0202.20.8000 0202.30.0200 0202.30.0400 0202.30.0600 0202.30.1000 0202.30.3000 0202.30.5000 0202.30.8000 0206.10.0000 0206.21.0000 0206.22.0000 0206.29.0000 0210.20.0000 1601.00.4010 1601.00.4090 1601.00.6020 1602.50.0900 1602.50.1020 1602.50.1040 1602.50.2020 1602.50.2040 1602.50.6000 PO 00000 Frm 00006 ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 .01693600 .00379102 .01693600 .00379102 .01693600 .00511787 .00530743 .00511787 .00379102 .00530743 .00511787 .00379102 .00379102 .00530743 .00511787 .00379102 .00530743 .00511787 .00511787 .00511787 .01693600 .00379102 .01693600 .00370102 .01693600 .00379102 .00530743 .00511787 .00379102 .00530743 .00511787 .00379102 .00379102 .00530743 .00511787 .00527837 .00530743 .00511787 .00511787 .00379102 .00379102 .00379102 .00379102 .00379102 .00615701 .00473877 .00473877 .00473877 .00663428 .00663428 .00663428 .00701388 .00701388 .00720293 Assessment rate per kg HTS No. * ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ * * .01693600 .01693600 .01693600 .01693600 .01693600 .01693600 * Dated: March 10, 2016. Elanor Starmer, Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. 2016–05859 Filed 3–15–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–02–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY 10 CFR Part 430 [Docket Number EERE–2016–BT–STD– 0004] RIN 1904–AD61 Appliance Standards and Rulemaking Federal Advisory Committee: Notice of Open Meetings for the Circulator Pumps Working Group To Negotiate a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) for Energy Conservation Standards and Test Procedures Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy. ACTION: Notice of public meetings. AGENCY: The Department of Energy (DOE) announces public meetings and webinars for the Circulator Pumps Working Group. The Federal Advisory Committee Act requires that agencies publish notice of an advisory committee meeting in the Federal Register. DATES: See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for meeting dates. ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held at U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Office, 950 L’Enfant Plaza, 6th Floor SW., Washington, DC, unless otherwise stated in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section. Individuals will also have the opportunity to participate by webinar. To register for the webinars and receive call-in information, please register at DOE’s Web site: https:// www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/ appliance_standards/standards.aspx ?productid=2. SUMMARY: Mr. Joe Hagerman, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: E:\FR\FM\16MRP1.SGM 16MRP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 16, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14022-14024]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-05859]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 1260

[No. AMS-LPS-15-0084]


Amendment to the Beef Promotion and Research Rules and 
Regulations

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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

SUMMARY: This proposed rule would amend the Beef Promotion and Research 
Order (Order) established under the

[[Page 14023]]

Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985 (Act) to increase assessment 
levels for imported veal and veal products based on revised 
determinations of live animal equivalencies and to update and expand 
the Harmonized Tariff System (HTS) numbers and categories, which 
identify imported veal and veal products to conform with recent updates 
in the numbers and categories used by the U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection (Customs).

DATES: Comments must be received by May 16, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be posted online at www.regulations.gov. 
Comments received will be posted without change, including any personal 
information provided. All comments should reference the docket number, 
AMS-LPS-15-0084; the date of submission; and the page number of this 
issue of the Federal Register. Comments may also be sent to Mike 
Dinkel, Promotion and Research Division, Livestock, Poultry, and Seed 
Program, Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture, 
Room 2610-S, STOP 0251, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 
20250-0251; or via Fax to (202) 720-1125. Comments will be made 
available for public inspection at the above address during regular 
business hours or via the Internet at www.regulations.gov. Comments 
must be received by May 16, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Dinkel, Agricultural Marketing 
Specialist; Research and Promotion Division, Room 2610-S; Livestock, 
Poultry and Seed Program; Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA; STOP 
0251; 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-0251; 
facsimile (202) 720-1125; telephone (301) 352-7497, or by email at 
Michael.Dinkel@ams.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Executive Order 12866

    The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has waived the review 
process required by Executive Order 12866 for this action.

Executive Order 12988

    This proposed rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, 
Civil Justice Reform. This rule is not intended to have a retroactive 
effect.
    Section 11 of the Act provides that nothing in the Act may be 
construed to preempt or supersede any other program relating to beef 
promotion organized and operated under the laws of the U.S. or any 
State. There are no administrative proceedings that must be exhausted 
prior to any judicial challenge to the provisions of this rule.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    Pursuant to requirements set forth in the Regulatory Flexibility 
Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the Acting Administrator of AMS has 
considered the economic effect of this action on small entities and has 
determined that this proposed rule will not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small business entities. The effect 
of the Beef Order upon small entities was discussed in the July 18, 
1986, Federal Register [51 FR 26132]. The purpose of RFA is to fit 
regulatory actions to the scale of businesses subject to such actions 
in order that small businesses will not be unduly burdened.
    There are approximately 270 importers who import beef or edible 
beef products into the U.S. and 198 importers who import live cattle 
into the U.S. The majority of these operations subject to the Beef 
Order are considered small businesses under the criteria established by 
the Small Business Administration (SBA)[13 CFR 121.201]. SBA defines 
small agricultural service firms as those having annual receipts of 
$7.5 million or less.
    The proposed rule will impose no significant burden on the 
industry. It will merely update and expand the HTS numbers and 
categories for veal and veal products to conform to recent updates in 
the numbers and categories used by Customs. This proposed rule will 
adjust the live animal equivalencies used to determine the amount of 
assessments collected on imported veal and veal products. This 
adjustment reflects an increase in the assessment of imported veal 
product so that it coincides with the assessment on domestic veal 
product. Accordingly, the Acting Administrator of AMS has determined 
that this action will not have a significant impact on a substantial 
number of small entities.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    In accordance with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
regulations [5 CFR part 1320] that implement the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 [44 U.S.C. Chapter 35], the information collection and 
recordkeeping requirements contained in the Beef Order and Rules and 
Regulations have previously been approved by OMB under OMB control 
number 0581-0093.

Background

    The Act authorized the establishment of a national beef promotion 
and research program. The final Beef Order was published in the Federal 
Register on July 18, 1986, (51 FR 21632), and the collection of 
assessments began on October 1, 1986. The program is administered by 
the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board (Board), appointed by 
the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) from industry nominations, and 
composed of 100 cattle producers and importers. The program is funded 
by a $1-per-head assessment on producer marketing of cattle in the U.S. 
and on imported cattle as well as an equivalent amount on imported beef 
and beef products.
    Importers pay assessments on imported cattle, beef, and beef 
products. Customs collects and remits the assessment to the Board. The 
term ``importer'' is defined as ``any person who imports cattle, beef, 
or beef products from outside the United States.'' Imported beef or 
beef products is defined as ``products which are imported into the 
United States which the Secretary determines contain a substantial 
amount of beef including those products which have been assigned one or 
more of the following numbers in the Tariff Schedule of the United 
States.''
    The purpose of this proposed rule is to update, expand, and revise 
the table found under Sec.  1260.172 (7 CFR 1260.172) to reflect the 
current HTS numbers and assessments on veal and veal products.
    As a result of these changes to HTS, there are 6 new categories 
that cover imported veal and veal products subject to assessment. The 
30 categories identifying imported beef and beef products have been 
expanded to 66 categories.
    This proposed rule updates and expands the chart published in the 
2006 final rule to conform with recent changes to the HTS numbering 
system and revises the live weight equivalents used to calculate import 
veal assessments. Importers are currently paying a lower assessment 
level for imported veal and veal products than what is being paid for 
domestic veal and veal products. At that time, the average dressed 
weight of veal slaughtered under Federal inspection was determined to 
be 154 pounds. USDA determined that using the average dressed weight of 
domestic veal slaughtered under Federal inspection would be most 
suitable because most of the imported veal and veal products were 
similar to domestic veal.
    The Act requires that assessments on imported beef and beef 
products be determined by converting such imports into live animal 
equivalents to ascertain

[[Page 14024]]

the corresponding number of head of cattle. Carcass weight is the 
principle factor in calculating live animal equivalents.
    Prior to publishing the proposed rule, USDA received information 
from the Board regarding imported veal assessments on April 7, 2015. 
The Board requested to expand the number of HTS codes for imported veal 
and veal products in order to capture product that is not currently 
being assessed and to update the live animal equivalency rate on 
imported veal to reflect the same assessment as domestic veal and veal 
products. The Board also suggested that AMS update the dressed veal 
weight to better reflect current dressed veal weights. The Board 
recommends using an average dressed veal weight from 2010 to the most 
current data. The Board states that ``establishing an average over this 
period of time takes into account short term highs and lows due to the 
cattle cycle, weather effects, and feed prices.'' This average would be 
154 pounds.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 1260

    Administrative practice and procedure, Advertising, Agricultural 
research, Marketing agreements, Meat and meat products, Beef, and Beef 
products.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, title 7 of the CFR part 
1260 is proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 1260--BEEF PROMOTION AND RESEARCH

0
1. The authority citation for 7 CFR part 1260 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority:  7 U.S.C. 2901-2911 and 7 U.S.C. 7401.

0
2. Amend Sec.  1260.172 by revising paragraph (b)(2) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  1260.172  Assessments.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (2) The assessment rates for imported cattle, beef, and beef 
products are as follows:

                          Imported Live Cattle
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  HTS No.                          Assessment rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0102.10.0010..............................  $1.00/head.
0102.10.0020..............................  $1.00/head.
0102.10.0030..............................  $1.00/head.
0102.10.0050..............................  $1.00/head.
0102.90.2011..............................  $1.00/head.
0102.90.2012..............................  $1.00/head.
0102.90.4024..............................  $1.00/head.
0102.90.4028..............................  $1.00/head.
0102.90.4034..............................  $1.00/head.
0102.90.4038..............................  $1.00/head.
0102.90.4054..............................  $1.00/head.
0102.90.4058..............................  $1.00/head.
0102.90.4062..............................  $1.00/head.
0102.90.4064..............................  $1.00/head.
0102.90.4066..............................  $1.00/head.
0102.90.4068..............................  $1.00/head.
0102.90.4072..............................  $1.00/head.
0102.90.4074..............................  $1.00/head.
0102.90.4082..............................  $1.00/head.
0102.90.4084..............................  $1.00/head.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                     Imported Beef and Beef Products
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Assessment
                         HTS No.                            rate per kg
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0201.10.0510............................................       .01693600
0201.10.0590............................................       .00379102
0201.10.1010............................................       .01693600
0201.10.1090............................................       .00379102
0201.10.5010............................................       .01693600
0201.10.5090............................................       .00511787
0201.20.0200............................................       .00530743
0201.20.0400............................................       .00511787
0201.20.0600............................................       .00379102
0201.20.1000............................................       .00530743
0201.20.3000............................................       .00511787
0201.20.5000............................................       .00379102
0201.20.8090............................................       .00379102
0201.30.0200............................................       .00530743
0201.30.0400............................................       .00511787
0201.30.0600............................................       .00379102
0201.30.1000............................................       .00530743
0201.30.3000............................................       .00511787
0201.30.5000............................................       .00511787
0201.30.8090............................................       .00511787
0202.10.0510............................................       .01693600
0202.10.0590............................................       .00379102
0202.10.1010............................................       .01693600
0202.10.1090............................................       .00370102
0202.10.5010............................................       .01693600
0202.10.5090............................................       .00379102
0202.20.0200............................................       .00530743
0202.20.0400............................................       .00511787
0202.20.0600............................................       .00379102
0202.20.1000............................................       .00530743
0202.20.3000............................................       .00511787
0202.20.5000............................................       .00379102
0202.20.8000............................................       .00379102
0202.30.0200............................................       .00530743
0202.30.0400............................................       .00511787
0202.30.0600............................................       .00527837
0202.30.1000............................................       .00530743
0202.30.3000............................................       .00511787
0202.30.5000............................................       .00511787
0202.30.8000............................................       .00379102
0206.10.0000............................................       .00379102
0206.21.0000............................................       .00379102
0206.22.0000............................................       .00379102
0206.29.0000............................................       .00379102
0210.20.0000............................................       .00615701
1601.00.4010............................................       .00473877
1601.00.4090............................................       .00473877
1601.00.6020............................................       .00473877
1602.50.0900............................................       .00663428
1602.50.1020............................................       .00663428
1602.50.1040............................................       .00663428
1602.50.2020............................................       .00701388
1602.50.2040............................................       .00701388
1602.50.6000............................................       .00720293
------------------------------------------------------------------------


               NEW Imported (Veal) Beef and Beef Products
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Assessment
                         HTS No.                            rate per kg
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0201.20.5010............................................       .01693600
0201.20.5020............................................       .01693600
0201.30.5010............................................       .01693600
0201.30.5020............................................       .01693600
0202.30.5010............................................       .01693600
0202.30.5020............................................       .01693600
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

    Dated: March 10, 2016.
Elanor Starmer,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-05859 Filed 3-15-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
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