Agricultural Marketing Service October 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This final rule amends regulations pertaining to the Mideast Federal milk order. More than the required number of producers for the Mideast marketing area approved the issuance of the final order amendments.

The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 requires the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a Peanut Standards Board (Board) for the purpose of advising the Secretary on quality and handling standards for domestically produced and imported peanuts. The initial Board was appointed by the Secretary and announced on December 5, 2002. USDA seeks nominations for individuals to be considered for selection to the Board to fill a vacant Board position for the remainder of a term of office ending June 30, 2009. The Board consists of 18 members representing producers and industry representatives.

This order amends certain features of the transportation credit provisions of the Appalachian and Southeast marketing orders on an interim basis. More than the required number of producers in the Appalachian and Southeast marketing areas have approved the issuance of the interim order as amended.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim final rule suspending the handling regulations prescribed under the Washington-Oregon fresh prune marketing order for the 2006 and future seasons. The marketing order regulates the handling of fresh prunes grown in designated counties in Washington and in Umatilla County, Oregon, and is administered locally by the Washington-Oregon Prune Marketing Committee (Committee). This rule continues in effect the action that suspended the minimum grade, size, quality, maturity, and inspection requirements for fresh prune handlers under the marketing order. During the suspension of the handling regulations, reports from handlers will continue to be required to obtain information necessary to administer the marketing order. In addition, this rule continues in effect the suspension of fresh prune import inspection and minimum quality, grade, size, and maturity requirements.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's intention to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget, for an extension of and revision to the currently approved information collection National Organic Program (NOP) Record Keeping Requirements.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention to request an extension for and revision to a currently approved information collection for Tart Cherries Grown in the States of Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin, Marketing Order No. 930.

This rule relaxes the container marking requirements for kiwifruit covered under the California kiwifruit marketing order (order). The order regulates the handling of kiwifruit grown in California and is administered locally by the Kiwifruit Administrative Committee (Committee). Currently, kiwifruit that has been inspected, meets applicable grade and size requirements, and is subsequently placed into new containers must, be positive lot identified, which requires reinspection. This rule establishes procedures for handlers to ship such kiwifruit without positive lot identification (PLI), and announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's intention to request emergency approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of a new information collection. This rule is intended to reduce handler inspection costs and facilitate the marketing of kiwifruit.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is revising the voluntary United States Standards for Grades of Bunched Italian Sprouting Broccoli. AMS is revising the standards to include provisions for certifying and grading broccoli crowns and florets. Specific size requirements for broccoli crowns and florets are being established. Additionally, the size requirements for the U.S. Fancy grade are being revised to provide minimum and maximum lengths for broccoli bunches ``unless otherwise specified.'' AMS is also revising the size specification section to allow percentages to be determined ``by weight,'' as well as ``by count,'' when fairly uniform in size. AMS is adding a definition for fairly uniform and definitions for the terms florets and crowns and revising the definition for diameter. AMS is defining and adding ``same type'' to the requirements for each of the grades. AMS is eliminating the unclassified category. Additionally, AMS is revising the title of the standards to United States Standards for Grades of Italian Sprouting Broccoli as the standards will now apply to multiple forms of broccoli. These changes are made to update the broccoli grade standards and better reflect current marketing practices.