Agricultural Marketing Service 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Results 51 - 100 of 169
Irish Potatoes Grown in Washington; Relaxation of Handling and Import Regulations
Document Number: E8-20999
Type: Rule
Date: 2008-09-10
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule relaxes the size requirement prescribed under the Washington potato marketing order. The marketing order regulates the handling of Irish potatoes grown in Washington, and is administered locally by the State of Washington Potato Committee (Committee). This rule decreases the minimum size required for all fresh market red, yellow fleshed, and white types of potatoes from 1 inch (25.4 mm) to \3/4\ inch (19.1 mm) in diameter, if the potatoes otherwise meet the requirements of U.S. No. 1 grade. This rule will also decrease the minimum size requirement from July 1 through September 30 of each year for imported red-skinned, round type potatoes under the import regulations as required by section 8e of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937. The Committee recommended this change in response to the recently revised U.S. Standards for Grades of Potatoes which added a definition for Creamer potatoes. This change is intended to provide potato handlers with greater marketing flexibility, growers with increased returns, consumers with a greater supply of small potatoes, and to bring the section 8e potato import regulation into conformity with the marketing order.
Irish Potatoes Grown in Colorado; Reinstatement of the Continuing Assessment Rate
Document Number: E8-20853
Type: Rule
Date: 2008-09-09
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule reinstates the continuing assessment rate established for the Area No. 3 Colorado Potato Administrative Committee (Committee) for the 2008-2009 and subsequent fiscal periods at $0.02 per hundredweight of potatoes handled. The Committee locally administers the marketing order regulating the handling of potatoes grown in northern Colorado. The continuing assessment rate was suspended for the 2006-2007 and subsequent fiscal periods to bring the monetary reserve within the program limit of two fiscal periods' operating expenses. Assessments upon potato handlers are used by the Committee to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The fiscal period began on July 1 and ends June 30. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.
Specialty Crop Block Grant Program-Farm Bill; Notice of Request for Approval of a New Information Collection
Document Number: E8-20486
Type: Rule
Date: 2008-09-04
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule provides regulations to administer the Specialty Crop Block Grant ProgramFarm Bill (SCBGP-FB) to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. This rule is intended to establish eligibility and application requirements and grant administration procedures for the SCBGP-FB consistent with the Food, Conversation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Farm Bill) amendments to the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004. This program is separate from the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) found in 7 CFR part 1290.
Milk in the Northeast and Other Marketing Areas; Delay of Effective Date
Document Number: E8-20391
Type: Rule
Date: 2008-09-03
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
An interim final rule published July 31, 2008 amending the manufacturing cost allowances and the butterfat yield factor used in Class III and Class IV product-price formulas applicable in all Federal milk marketing orders had an effective date of September 1, 2008. The effective date of the Interim Rule will now be October 1, 2008. The rule's effective date is delayed because a complaint to enjoin the implementation of the revised manufacturing allowances and butterfat yield factor was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Delaying implementation allows sufficient time for a preliminary injunction hearing.
Notice of Agricultural Management Assistance Organic Certification Cost Share Program
Document Number: E8-19921
Type: Notice
Date: 2008-08-28
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This notice invites the following eligible States: Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming, to submit an Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424), and to enter into a Cooperative Agreement with the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) for the Allocation of Organic Certification Cost-Share Funds. The AMS has allocated $1.5 million for this organic certification cost-share program in Fiscal Year 2008. Funds will be available under this program to 16 designated States to assist organic crop and livestock producers certified under the National Organic Program (NOP). Eligible States interested in obtaining cost-share funds for their organic producers will have to submit an Application for Federal Assistance, and will have to enter into a cooperative agreement with AMS for the allocation of such funds.
Oranges, Grapefruit, Tangerines, and Tangelos Grown in Florida; Temporary Suspension of Order Provisions Regarding Continuance Referenda
Document Number: E8-19749
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2008-08-27
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule invites comments on a temporary suspension of the order provision requiring periodic continuance referenda under the Florida citrus marketing order (order). This rule would suspend for the current cycle the order requirement that a continuance referendum be held every sixth year. The suspension is intended to minimize the confusion that could result from the overlap of the continuance referendum and another referendum associated with the amendatory process. It would also allow producers time to evaluate the results of the amendatory process before voting on the continuance of the order.
Request for an Extension to a Currently Approved Information Collection
Document Number: E8-19699
Type: Notice
Date: 2008-08-26
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
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 approval from the Office of Management and Budget, for an extension of the currently approved information collection for the Farmers Market Questionnaire.
Domestic Dates Produced or Packed in Riverside County, CA; Decreased Assessment Rate
Document Number: E8-19697
Type: Rule
Date: 2008-08-26
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule decreases the assessment rate established for the California Date Administrative Committee (Committee) for the 2008-09 and subsequent crop years from $0.75 to $0.60 per hundredweight of dates handled. The Committee locally administers the marketing order which regulates the handling of dates grown or packed in Riverside County, California. Assessments upon date handlers are used by the Committee to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The crop year begins October 1 and ends September 30. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.
Dried Prunes Produced in California; Decreased Assessment Rate
Document Number: E8-19695
Type: Rule
Date: 2008-08-26
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule decreases the assessment rate established for the Prune Marketing Committee (Committee) for the 2008-09 and subsequent crop years from $0.60 to $0.30 per ton of salable dried prunes. The Committee locally administers the marketing order that regulates the handling of dried prunes in California. Assessments upon dried prune handlers are used by the Committee to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The crop year began August 1 and ends July 31. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.
Avocados Grown in South Florida; Continuance Referendum
Document Number: E8-19467
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2008-08-22
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This document directs that a referendum be conducted among eligible Florida avocados growers to determine whether they favor continuance of the marketing order regulating the handling of avocados grown in South Florida.
Plant Variety Protection Board; Open Teleconference Meeting
Document Number: E8-19466
Type: Notice
Date: 2008-08-22
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda of a forthcoming teleconference meeting of the Plant Variety Protection Board. Notice of this meeting is required under section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. This document is intended to notify the general public of their opportunity to attend the meeting.
Amendment of General Regulations for Fruit, Vegetable and Nut Marketing Agreements and Marketing Orders; Addition of Supplemental Rules of Practice for Amendatory Formal Rulemaking Proceedings
Document Number: E8-19399
Type: Rule
Date: 2008-08-21
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule amends the general regulations for federal fruit, vegetable and nut marketing agreements and marketing orders by establishing supplemental rules of practice for amendatory formal rulemaking proceedings in accordance with section 1504 of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill). The supplemental rules of practice add procedures to the rulemaking process relating to amendments to fruit, vegetable and nut marketing agreements and marketing orders; authorize the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to impose assessments on affected industries to supplement funds necessary to improve or expedite an amendatory hearing process; and authorize the use of informal rulemaking (5 U.S.C. 553) to amend such agreements and orders. Section 1504 of the 2008 Farm Bill also applies to amendments of federal milk marketing agreements and orders. The supplemental rules of practice for federal milk marketing agreements and orders are addressed in a separate rulemaking document.
Amendment of General Regulations for Federal Milk Marketing Agreements and Marketing Orders; Addition of Supplemental Rules of Practice for Amendatory Formal Rulemaking Proceedings
Document Number: E8-19134
Type: Rule
Date: 2008-08-20
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This final rule amends the general regulations for Federal milk marketing agreements and marketing orders by establishing supplemental rules of practice for amendatory formal rulemaking proceedings in accordance with section 1504 of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill). This rule provides for supplemental guidelines, timeframes and procedures for amending Federal milk marketing agreements and orders; authorizes the use of informal rulemaking (5 U.S.C. 553) to amend such agreements and orders; and establishes provisions that permit the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to impose assessments on pooled milk under a Federal milk marketing agreement or order to fund expedited amendatory formal rulemaking. Such assessments would supplement appropriated funds for the procurement of services required by USDA to perform rulemaking functions. Section 1504 of the 2008 Farm Bill also applies to amendments to the fruit, vegetable and nut marketing agreements and orders. The supplemental rules of practice for fruit, vegetable and nut marketing agreements and orders are addressed in a separate rulemaking document.
Apricots Grown in Designated Counties in Washington; Increased Assessment Rate
Document Number: E8-19018
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2008-08-18
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule would increase the assessment rate established for the Washington Apricot Marketing Committee (Committee) for the 2008-09 and subsequent fiscal periods from $1.50 to $2.00 per ton for Washington apricots. The Committee is responsible for local administration of the marketing order regulating the handling of apricots grown in designated counties in Washington. Assessments upon handlers of apricots are used by the Committee to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The fiscal period for the marketing order begins April 1 and ends March 31. The assessment rate would remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended or terminated.
Almonds Grown in California; Order Amending Marketing Order No. 981
Document Number: E8-17827
Type: Rule
Date: 2008-08-04
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This final rule amends the marketing order for almonds grown in California. The amendments were proposed by the Almond Board of California (Board), which is responsible for local administration of the order. The amendments will authorize the establishment of different outgoing quality requirements for different markets and authorize the establishment of bulk container marking and labeling requirements. The amendments are intended to provide additional flexibility in administering the quality control provisions of the order and provide the industry with additional tools for the marketing of almonds.
Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling of Beef, Pork, Lamb, Chicken, Goat Meat, Perishable Agricultural Commodities, Peanuts, Pecans, Ginseng, and Macadamia Nuts
Document Number: E8-17562
Type: Rule
Date: 2008-08-01
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (2002 Farm Bill), the 2002 Supplemental Appropriations Act (2002 Appropriations), and the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill) amended the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (Act) to require retailers to notify their customers of the country of origin of covered commodities. Covered commodities include muscle cuts of beef (including veal), lamb, chicken, goat, and pork; ground beef, ground lamb, ground chicken, ground goat, and ground pork; wild and farm-raised fish and shellfish; perishable agricultural commodities; macadamia nuts; pecans; ginseng; and peanuts. The implementation of mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) for all covered commodities, except wild and farm- raised fish and shellfish, was delayed until September 30, 2008. The 2008 Farm Bill contains a number of provisions that amended the COOL provisions in the Act. These changes include the addition of chicken, goat, macadamia nuts, pecans, and ginseng as covered commodities, the addition of provisions for labeling products of multiple origin, as well as a number of other changes that are discussed more fully in the Supplementary Information portion of this rule. However, the implementation date of September 30, 2008, was not changed by the 2008 Farm Bill. Therefore, in order to meet the September 30, 2008, implementation date and to provide the newly affected industries the opportunity to provide comments prior to issuing a final rule, the Department is issuing this interim final rule. This interim final rule contains definitions, the requirements for consumer notification and product marking, and the recordkeeping responsibilities of both retailers and suppliers for covered commodities. The provisions in this interim final rule do not affect the regulatory requirements for fish and shellfish that were published in the October 5, 2004, Federal Register.
Milk in the Northeast and Other Marketing Areas; Interim Order Amending the Orders
Document Number: 08-1482
Type: Rule
Date: 2008-07-31
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This order amends the manufacturing cost allowances and the butterfat yield factor used in the Class III and Class IV product-price formulas applicable to all Federal milk marketing orders. More than the required producers approved the issuance of the interim order as amended.
Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) Inviting Applications for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program-Farm Bill (SCBGP-FB)
Document Number: E8-17477
Type: Notice
Date: 2008-07-30
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is withdrawing the July 9, 2008, Federal Register notice (73 FR 39278), which was published in error, announcing the availability of approximately $10 million in grant funds to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Today's notice announces the availability of approximately $10 million in grant funds, less USDA administrative costs, to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. The funds announced under this program (SCBGP-FB) are separate from the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funds announced by AMS on March 5, 2008. SCBGP-FB funds are authorized by the recently enacted Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the Farm Bill). The application process to apply for the SCBGP-FB funds will parallel those currently found in 7 CFR Part 1290. Regulations to implement the amendments made in the 2008 Farm Bill will be published in the near future. State departments of agriculture are encouraged to develop their grant applications promptly. The 2008 Farm Bill makes the SCBGP-FB funds available only through the end of this fiscal year (September 30, 2008). This necessitates a short application period. State departments of agriculture interested in obtaining grant program funds are invited to submit applications to USDA. State departments of agriculture, meaning agencies, commissions, or departments of a State government responsible for agriculture within the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are eligible to apply. State departments of agriculture are encouraged to involve industry groups, academia, and community- based organizations in the development of applications and the administration of projects.
National Dairy Promotion and Research Program; Invitation To Submit Comments on Proposed Amendments to the Order
Document Number: 08-1469
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2008-07-30
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This document invites comments on a proposed amendment to the Dairy Promotion and Research Order (Dairy Order). The proposal would modify the composition of the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (Dairy Board) by changing the number of member seats in six of the 13 geographic regions. This modification was requested by the Dairy Board, which administers the Dairy Order, to better reflect the geographic distribution of milk production in the 48 contiguous States. The Department will issue a final rule once public comments have been received and considered.
Irish Potatoes Grown in Colorado; Reinstatement of the Continuing Assessment Rate
Document Number: E8-17089
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2008-07-25
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule would reinstate the continuing assessment rate established for the Area No. 3 Colorado Potato Administrative Committee (Committee) for the 2008-2009 and subsequent fiscal periods at $0.02 per hundredweight of potatoes handled. The Committee locally administers the marketing order regulating the handling of potatoes grown in northern Colorado. The continuing assessment rate was suspended for the 2006-2007 and subsequent fiscal periods to bring the monetary reserve within the program limit of two fiscal periods' operating expenses. Assessments upon potato handlers are used by the Committee to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The fiscal period begins July 1 and ends June 30. The assessment rate would remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.
Walnuts Grown in California; Increased Assessment Rate
Document Number: E8-17088
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2008-07-25
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule would increase the assessment rate established for the California Walnut Board (Board) for the 2008-09 marketing year from $0.0122 to $0.0158 per kernelweight pound of assessable walnuts. The Board locally administers the marketing order which regulates the handling of walnuts grown in California. Assessments upon walnut handlers are used by the Board to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The 2008-09 marketing year begins August 1, 2008. The assessment rate would remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.
Cotton Board Rules and Regulations: Adjusting Supplemental Assessment on Imports (2008 Amendments)
Document Number: E8-16957
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2008-07-24
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is proposing to amend the Cotton Board Rules and Regulations by increasing the value assigned to imported cotton for calculating supplemental assessments collected for use by the Cotton Research and Promotion Program. An amendment is required to adjust the assessments collected on imported cotton and the cotton content of imported products to be the same as those paid on domestically produced cotton. In addition, AMS proposes to remove Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) numbers that were absorbed into other HTS categories since the last assessment adjustment.
Nectarines and Peaches Grown in California; Changes in Handling Requirements for Fresh Nectarines and Peaches
Document Number: E8-16956
Type: Rule
Date: 2008-07-24
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Department of Agriculture is adopting, as a final rule, with a change, an interim final rule changing the handling requirements applicable to well matured fruit covered under the nectarine and peach marketing orders (orders). The orders regulate the handling of nectarines and peaches grown in California and are administered locally by the Nectarine Administrative and Peach Commodity Committees (committees). This rule continues in effect the action that updated the variety-specific size requirements to reflect changes in commercially significant varieties. This will enable handlers to continue to ship fresh nectarines and peaches in a manner that meets consumer needs, increases returns to producers and handlers, and reflects current industry practices.
Milk in the Mideast Marketing Areas; Notice of Hearing on Proposed Amendments to Tentative Marketing Agreement and Order
Document Number: E8-16955
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2008-07-24
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
A public hearing is being held to consider and take evidence on a proposal to temporarily adjust certain Class I differentials in the Mideast milk marketing order.
Almonds Grown in California; Relaxation of Incoming Quality Control Requirements
Document Number: 08-1465
Type: Rule
Date: 2008-07-24
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule relaxes the incoming quality control requirements prescribed under the California almond marketing order (order). The order regulates the handling of almonds grown in California and is administered locally by the Almond Board of California (Board). This rule changes the date by which almond handlers must satisfy their inedible disposition obligation from August 31 to September 30 of each year. This will provide handlers more flexibility in their operations in light of larger almond crops.
Raisins Produced From Grapes Grown In California; Revisions to Requirements Regarding Off-Grade Raisins
Document Number: E8-16605
Type: Rule
Date: 2008-07-21
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule revises requirements regarding off-grade raisins under the Federal marketing order for California raisins (order). The order regulates the handling of raisins produced from grapes grown in California and is administered locally by the Raisin Administrative Committee (Committee). This rule revises the requirement that notification handlers must provide to the inspection service and the Committee when they perform certain functions on off-grade raisins be in writing, thereby allowing them to use other means of communication, including e-mail. This rule also removes the requirement that handlers submit reports to the Committee regarding transfers of off-grade and other failing raisins. This action brings the order's administrative rules and regulations in line with current industry practices.
Raisins Produced From Grapes Grown in California; Use of Estimated Trade Demand To Compute Volume Regulation Percentages
Document Number: 08-1447
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2008-07-18
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule invites comments on using an estimated trade demand figure to compute volume regulation percentages for 2008-09 crop Natural (sun-dried) Seedless (NS) raisins covered under the Federal marketing order for California raisins (order). The order regulates the handling of raisins produced from grapes grown in California and is administered locally by the Raisin Administrative Committee (Committee). This rule would provide parameters for implementing volume regulation for 2008-09 crop NS raisins, if supplies are short, for the purposes of maintaining a portion of the industry's export markets and stabilizing the domestic market.
Pistachios Grown in California; Hearing on Proposed Amendment of Marketing Order No. 983
Document Number: 08-1445
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2008-07-18
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
Notice is hereby given of a public hearing to receive evidence on proposed amendments to Marketing Order No. 983 (order), which regulates the handling of pistachios grown in California. The amendments are proposed by the Administrative Committee for Pistachios (Committee), which is responsible for local administration of the order. The proposed amendments would: Expand the production area covered under the order to include Arizona and New Mexico in addition to California; authorize the Committee to reimburse handlers for a portion of their inspection and certification costs in certain situations; authorize the Committee to recommend research projects; modify existing order authorities concerning aflatoxin and quality regulations; modify the authority for interhandler transfers of order obligations; redesignate several sections of the order; remove previously suspended order provisions, and make other related changes. In addition, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) proposes to make any such additional changes as may be necessary to the order to conform to any amendment that may result from the hearing. The proposals are intended to improve the operation and functioning of the marketing order program.
National Organic Program; Proposed Amendment to the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (Livestock)
Document Number: E8-15390
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2008-07-14
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Marketing Service, Agricultural Marketing Service
This proposed rule would amend the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List) to reflect one recommendation submitted to the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) by the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) on May 22, 2008. Consistent with the recommendation from the NOSB, this proposed rule would revise the annotation of one substance on the National List, Methionine, to extend its use in organic poultry production until October 1, 2010.
National Organic Program (NOP); Sunset Review (2008)
Document Number: E8-15389
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2008-07-14
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This proposed rule would amend the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List) regulations to reflect recommendations submitted to the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) by the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) on November 30, 2007, and May 22, 2008. The recommendations addressed in this proposed rule pertain to the continued exemption (use) and prohibition of 12 substances in organic production and handling. Consistent with the recommendations from the NOSB, this proposed rule would renew the 11 exemptions and 1 prohibition on the National List (along with any restrictive annotations) and correct the Tartaric acid listings by adding annotations originally recommended to the Secretary on November 1, 1995.
United States Standards for Grades of Beet Greens
Document Number: E8-15644
Type: Notice
Date: 2008-07-10
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is soliciting comments on its proposal to revise the voluntary United States Standards for Grades of Beet Greens. AMS is proposing to remove ``Unclassified'' category from the standards. The proposed revisions will update the beet greens grade standards.
Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) Inviting Applications for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program-Farm Bill (SCBGP-FB)
Document Number: E8-15646
Type: Notice
Date: 2008-07-09
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announces the availability of approximately $10 million in grant funds, less USDA administrative costs, to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. The funds announced under this program (SCBGP-FB) are separate from the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funds announced by AMS on March 5, 2008. SCBGP-FB funds are authorized by the recently enacted Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2007 Farm Bill). The application process to apply for the SCBGP-FB funds will parallel those currently found in 7 CFR part 1290. Regulations to implement the amendments made in the 2007 Farm Bill will be published in the near future. State departments of agriculture are encouraged to develop their grant applications promptly. The 2007 Farm Bill requires USDA to obligate the grant funds under this program by the end of the fiscal year, September 30, 2008, which necessitates a short application period. State departments of agriculture interested in obtaining grant program funds are invited to submit applications to USDA. State departments of agriculture, meaning agencies, commissions, or departments of a State government responsible for agriculture within the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are eligible to apply. State departments of agriculture are encouraged to involve industry groups, academia, and community-based organizations in the development of applications and the administration of projects.
Peanut Promotion, Research, and Information Order; Amendment to Primary Peanut-Producing States and Adjustment of Membership
Document Number: E8-15522
Type: Rule
Date: 2008-07-09
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Department of Agriculture (Department) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim final rule that added a producer member and alternate from the State of Mississippi to the National Peanut Board (Board). The change was proposed by the Board, which administers the nationally coordinated program, in accordance to the provisions of the Peanut Promotion, Research, and Information Order (Order) which is authorized under the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996 (1996 Act). This change is made because Mississippi is now considered a major peanut-producing state based on the Board's review of the geographical distribution of the production of peanuts. The Order requires a review of the geographical distribution of the production of peanuts at least every five years. The addition of a member from Mississippi will provide for additional representation from another primary peanut-producing state.
Raisins Produced From Grapes Grown in California; Final Free and Reserve Percentages for 2007-08 Crop Natural (Sun-Dried) Seedless Raisins
Document Number: E8-15293
Type: Rule
Date: 2008-07-07
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim final rule that established final volume regulation percentages for the 2007-08 crop of Natural (sun- dried) Seedless (NS) raisins covered under the Federal marketing order for California raisins (order). The order regulates the handling of raisins produced from grapes grown in California and is locally administered by the Raisin Administrative Committee (Committee). The volume regulation percentages are 85 percent free and 15 percent reserve. The percentages are intended to help stabilize raisin supplies and prices, and strengthen market conditions.
Request for an Extension of and Revision to a Currently Approved Information Collection
Document Number: E8-15075
Type: Notice
Date: 2008-07-03
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
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 the Regulations Governing the Inspection and Grading of Manufactured or Processed Dairy ProductsRecordkeeping (Subpart B).
Sweet Onions Grown in the Walla Walla Valley of Southeast Washington and Northeast Oregon; Increased Assessment Rate
Document Number: E8-14339
Type: Rule
Date: 2008-06-25
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule increases the assessment rate established for the Walla Walla Sweet Onion Marketing Committee (Committee) for the 2008 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.21 to $0.22 per 50-pound bag or equivalent of Walla Walla sweet onions handled. The Committee locally administers the marketing order which regulates the handling of sweet onions grown in the Walla Walla Valley of Southeast Washington and Northeast Oregon. Assessments upon Walla Walla sweet onion handlers are used by the Committee to fund the reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The fiscal period begins January 1 and ends December 31. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.
Hazelnuts Grown in Oregon and Washington; Establishment of Interim Final and Final Free and Restricted Percentages for the 2007-2008 Marketing Year
Document Number: E8-14338
Type: Rule
Date: 2008-06-25
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim final rule establishing interim final and final free and restricted percentages for domestic inshell hazelnuts for the 2007-2008 marketing year under the Federal marketing order for hazelnuts grown in Oregon and Washington. This rule continues in effect the interim final free and restricted percentages of 8.1863 and 91.8137 percent, respectively, and the final free and restricted percentages of 9.2671 and 90.7329 percent, respectively. The percentages allocate the quantity of domestically produced hazelnuts which may be marketed in the domestic inshell market (free) and the quantity of domestically produced hazelnuts that must be disposed of in outlets approved by the Board (restricted). Volume regulation is intended to stabilize the supply of domestic inshell hazelnuts to meet the limited domestic demand for such hazelnuts with the goal of providing producers with reasonable returns. This rule was recommended unanimously by the Hazelnut Marketing Board (Board), the agency responsible for local administration of the marketing order.
Milk in the Northeast and Other Marketing Areas; Tentative Partial Final Decision on Proposed Amendments and Opportunity To File Written Exceptions to Tentative Marketing Agreements and Orders
Document Number: E8-13943
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2008-06-20
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This tentative partial final decision proposes to adopt changes to the manufacturing cost allowances and the butterfat yield factor used in Class III and Class IV product-price formulas applicable to all Federal milk marketing orders on an interim basis. A separate decision regarding the collection of manufacturing cost information, the use of an energy cost adjustor and providing for a cost add-on feature to Class III and Class IV product-pricing formulas will be addressed in a separate decision. This tentative partial decision requires determining if producers approve the issuance of the amended orders on an interim basis.
Peanut Standards Board
Document Number: E8-13581
Type: Notice
Date: 2008-06-17
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
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 as Board members for terms of office ending June 30, 2011. Selected nominees sought by this action would replace those six producer and industry representatives who are currently serving for the term of office that ends June 30, 2008. The Board consists of 18 members representing producers and industry representatives.
Dairy Product Mandatory Reporting
Document Number: E8-13550
Type: Rule
Date: 2008-06-17
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This final rule adopts amendments to the Dairy Product Mandatory Reporting Program that was established on August 2, 2007 on an interim final basis. The Dairy Market Enhancement Act of 2000, and certain provisions of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, amended the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to provide for timely, accurate, and reliable market information to facilitate more informed marketing decisions and promote competition in the dairy product manufacturing industry.
Vidalia Onions Grown in Georgia; Increased Assessment Rate
Document Number: E8-12318
Type: Rule
Date: 2008-06-03
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule increases the assessment rate established for the Vidalia Onion Committee (Committee) for the 2008 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.10 to $0.13 per 40-pound container of Vidalia onions handled. The Committee locally administers the marketing order which regulates the handling of Vidalia onions grown in Georgia. Assessments upon Vidalia onion handlers are used by the Committee to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The fiscal period begins January 1 and ends December 31. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.
Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee
Document Number: E8-12228
Type: Notice
Date: 2008-06-02
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The purpose of this notice is to notify all interested parties that the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will hold a Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (Committee) meeting that is open to the public. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) established the Committee to examine the full spectrum of issues faced by the fruit and vegetable industry and to provide suggestions and ideas to the Secretary of Agriculture on how USDA can tailor its programs to meet the fruit and vegetable industry's needs. This notice sets forth the schedule and location for the meeting.
Proposed United States Standards for Grades of Olive Oil and Olive-Pomace Oil
Document Number: E8-12226
Type: Notice
Date: 2008-06-02
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) is soliciting comments on the proposed revision to the United States Standards for Grades of Olive Oil. The proposal includes two major groups of oil: ``olive oil,'' produced from olives by mechanical means; and ``olive-pomace oil,'' produced using heat and a solvent to separate the oil from the olive-pomace remaining after olive oil is produced. The proposal includes new product descriptions, definitions, and requirements for the following grade designations: ``U.S. Extra Virgin Olive Oil,'' ``U.S. Virgin Olive Oil,'' ``U.S. Lampante Virgin Olive OilNot Fit for Human Consumption,'' ``U.S. Refined Olive Oil,'' ``U.S. Olive Oil,'' ``U.S. Olive-Pomace Oil,'' ``U.S. Refined Olive-Pomace Oil,'' and ``U.S. Crude Olive-Pomace Oil.'' The proposed revisions to the grade standards are intended to provide a uniform language for commerce and the use of the standards would be voluntary. The proposed standards include objective criteria for determining quality and purity among the grades of olive oil and olive- pomace oil, thereby facilitating the marketing of olive oil and olive- pomace oil.
Advisory Committee on Universal Standards; Meeting
Document Number: E8-12221
Type: Notice
Date: 2008-06-02
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Office of the Secretary, Agricultural Marketing Service
In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announces a forthcoming meeting of the Advisory Committee on Universal Cotton Standards.
Sorghum Promotion, Research, and Information: Certification of Organizations for Eligibility To Make Nominations to the Sorghum Promotion, Research, and Information Board
Document Number: E8-12220
Type: Notice
Date: 2008-06-02
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
Notice is hereby given that the Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is accepting applications from State, regional, and national sorghum producer organizations or associations which desire to be certified as eligible to nominate sorghum producers for appointment to the Sorghum Promotion, Research, and Information Board (Board). To nominate a producer to the Board, organizations must first be certified by USDA. Notice is also given that upcoming appointments are anticipated and that during a period to be established by USDA, nominations will be accepted from eligible organizations.
Amendments to Rules of Practice Regulations Under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) To Increase Reparation Complaint Filing and Handling Fees
Document Number: E8-12130
Type: Rule
Date: 2008-05-30
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is amending the Rules of Practice under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) to increase from $60 to $100 the fee for filing an informal complaint; and to increase from $300 to $500 the fee for handling a formal complaint.
Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection
Document Number: E8-12053
Type: Notice
Date: 2008-05-30
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget, for an extension of and revision to a currently approved information collection in support of the shell egg surveillance portion of the Regulation for the Inspection of Eggs7 CFR part 57.
Fruit, Vegetable, and Specialty Crops-Import Regulations; Proposed Revision to Reporting Requirements
Document Number: E8-11924
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2008-05-30
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule would revise the reporting requirements for imports of commodities regulated under Sec. 608(e) (hereinafter referred to as ``8e'') of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937. These changes would require that the inspection certificates generated for each lot of such commodities include the Entry Number from the Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) documentation that accompanies that lot. The proposed changes would also require that importers of raisins, dates, and dried prunes report products exempt from 8e import regulations on AMS Form FV-6``Importers' Exempt Commodity Form,'' which is the same form that is currently used by importers of all other commodities exempt from 8e import regulations. This proposal also announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention to request revisions to a currently-approved information collection for specified exempt import commodities. These changes are intended to streamline the tracking of imported products and provide uniformity in electronic reporting systems used by the industries and the Department of Agriculture (USDA).
User Fees for 2008 Crop Cotton Classification Services to Growers
Document Number: 08-1308
Type: Rule
Date: 2008-05-29
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will raise the user fees for cotton producers for 2008 crop cotton classification services under the Cotton Statistics and Estimates Act. These user fees also are authorized under the Cotton Standards Act of 1923. The 2007 user fee for this classification service was $1.85 per bale. This rule will raise the fee for the 2008 crop to $2.00 per bale. This fee and the existing reserve are sufficient to cover the costs of providing classification services, including costs for administration and supervision.
Pork Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Program: Submission of Information; Withdrawal of Proposed Rule
Document Number: E8-11555
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2008-05-23
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This action withdraws a proposed rule published in the March 13, 2003 [68 FR 11996], issue of the Federal Register, which intended to add a section to the regulations implementing the Pork Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Order (Order) that would require remitters of pork checkoff assessments, upon request by the Department of Agriculture (USDA), to submit to the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) the names, addresses, and any other information deemed necessary to identify persons from whom they collected assessments. This information would have been used to establish the total number of pork producers and importers in the United States, from which AMS would determine the number of respondents necessary to meet a threshold requirement of 15 percent to conduct a referendum, as contained in the Pork Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act. Based upon further review and consideration, AMS has determined that the most accurate representation of total number of pork producers and importers would result from utilizing the most recent data published by USDA's National Agricultural Statistic Service (NASS) in its February 2008 ``Farms, Land in Farms, and Livestock Operations'' report to determine the total number of farm operations with hogs and pigs and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Customs) to determine the total number of importers who imported hogs, pigs, pork, or pork products.
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