Oranges, Grapefruit, Tangerines, and Pummelos Grown in Florida; Continuance Referendum, 63039 [2020-20745]

Agencies

• Agricultural Marketing Service
• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 194 (Tuesday, October 6, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 63039]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-20745]


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Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 194 / Tuesday, October 6, 2020 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 63039]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 905

[Docket No. AMS-SC-20-0028; SC20-905-1 CR]


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

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Referendum order.

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

DATES: The referendum will be conducted from October 19 through 
November 9, 2020. Only current fresh citrus producers within the 
production area that produced oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, or 
pummelos for the fresh market during the period of August 1, 2019, 
through July 31, 2020, are eligible to vote in this referendum.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the marketing order may be obtained from the 
Southeast Marketing Field Office, Marketing Order Agreement Division, 
Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1124 First Street South, Winter 
Haven, FL 33880; Telephone: (863) 324-3375; from the Marketing Order 
and Agreement Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; 
Telephone: (202) 720-2491; or internet: https://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennie M. Varela, Senior Marketing 
Specialist, or Christian D. Nissen, Regional Director, Southeast 
Marketing Field Office, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, 
Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1124 First Street South, Winter 
Haven, FL 33880; Telephone: (863) 324-3375, Fax: (863) 291-8614, or 
Email: [email protected] or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to Marketing Agreement and Order 
No. 905, as amended (7 CFR part 905), hereinafter referred to as the 
``Order,'' and the applicable provisions of the Agricultural Marketing 
Agreement Act of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674), hereinafter 
referred to as the ``Act,'' it is hereby directed that a referendum be 
conducted to ascertain whether continuance of the Order is favored by 
producers. The referendum shall be conducted from October 19 through 
November 9, 2020, among Florida fresh citrus producers in the 
production area. Only current fresh citrus producers that were engaged 
in the production of oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, or pummelos grown 
in the production area, during the period of August 1, 2019, through 
July 31, 2020, may participate in the continuance referendum.
    USDA has determined that continuance referenda are an effective 
means for determining whether producers favor the continuation of 
marketing order programs. The Order will continue in effect if at least 
two-thirds of the producers voting in the referendum or at least two-
thirds of the volume of Florida fresh citrus represented in the 
referendum votes in favor of continuance. In evaluating the merits of 
continuance versus termination, USDA will not exclusively consider the 
results of the continuance referendum. USDA will also consider all 
other relevant information concerning the operation of the Order and 
the relative benefits and disadvantages to producers, handlers, and 
consumers in determining whether continued operation of the Order would 
tend to effectuate the declared policy of the Act.
    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
Chapter 35), the ballots used in the referendum have been approved by 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and have been assigned OMB 
No. 0581-0189, Fruit Crops. It has been estimated it will take an 
average of 20 minutes for each of the approximately 500 producers of 
oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and pummelos grown in Florida to cast 
a ballot. Participation is voluntary. Ballots postmarked after November 
9, 2020, will not be included in the vote tabulation.
    Jennie M. Varela, Dolores Lowenstine, and Christian D. Nissen of 
the Southeast Marketing Field Office, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, 
USDA, are hereby designated as the referendum agents of the Secretary 
of Agriculture to conduct this referendum. The procedure applicable to 
the referendum shall be the ``Procedure for the Conduct of Referenda in 
Connection with Marketing Orders for Fruits, Vegetables, and Nuts 
Pursuant to the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as 
Amended'' (7 CFR 900.400 et seq.).
    Ballots will be mailed to all producers of record and may also be 
obtained from the referendum agents or their appointees.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 905

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

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

Bruce Summers,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-20745 Filed 10-5-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P