Agricultural Marketing Service August 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

National Organic Program; Proposed Amendments to the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (Crops and Processing); Correction
Document Number: 2013-21049
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2013-08-29
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This document contains a correction to the proposed rule that was published on August 22, 2013, 78 FR 52100. In the proposed rule, the Regulatory Information Number (RIN) appears as RIN 0581-AD33. This number is incorrect. The correct number is 0581-AD32. This document corrects the proposed rule.
Potato Research and Promotion Plan; Amend the Administrative Committee Structure and Delete the Board's Mailing Address
Document Number: 2013-20489
Type: Rule
Date: 2013-08-22
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule amends the structure of the Administrative Committee (Committee) of the U.S. Potato Board (Board) and deletes the Board's mailing address from the Potato Research and Promotion Plan. The Plan is administered by the Board with oversight by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Under the Plan, there are seven Committee Vice- Chairperson positions. The Board has recommended that these positions be increased to nine. This change is intended to facilitate increased involvement in the Board's leadership opportunities. Further, the Board's office has been relocated and the address must be changed in the regulations. The deletion of the Board's mailing address from the regulations will require no further amendment to the regulations if the Board's office is relocated again.
Notice of Funds Availability: Agricultural Management Assistance Organic Certification Cost-Share Program
Document Number: 2013-20484
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-08-22
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This Notice invites the following 16 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 a Grant Application (Application for Federal Assistance Standard Form 424) to the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) for organic certification cost- share funds. A total of $1,352,850 is available to the 16 designated States for this program in Fiscal Year 2013. Funds will provide cost- share assistance to organic crop and livestock producers certified under the USDA Organic Standards (7 CFR 205). Eligible States interested in obtaining cost-share funds for their organic producers must submit a grant application via https://www.grants.gov.
Onions Other Than Bermuda-Granex-Grano/Creole; Bermuda-Granex-Grano
Document Number: 2013-20481
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2013-08-22
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This proposed rule would revise the United States Standards for Grades of Onions (Other Than Bermuda-Granex-Grano and Creole Type) and the United States Standards for Grades of Bermuda-Granex-Grano Type Onions which were issued under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is proposing to amend the ``similar varietal characteristic'' and ``one type'' requirements to allow mixed colors of onions when designated as a mixed or specialty pack. The purpose of this revision is to update and revise the standards to more accurately represent today's marketing practices and to provide the industry with greater flexibility.
United States Standards for Grades of Creole Onions
Document Number: 2013-20480
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-08-22
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This Notice would revise the United States Standards for Grades of Creole Onions, which were issued under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is proposing to amend the similar varietal characteristic requirement to allow mixed colors of onions when designated as a mixed or specialty pack. In addition, AMS would correct language and remove the ``Unclassified'' category from the standards. This revision would update the standards to more accurately represent today's marketing practices and to provide the industry with greater flexibility.
Oranges, Grapefruit, Tangerines, and Tangelos Grown in Florida; Relaxing Size and Grade Requirements on Valencia and Other Late Type Oranges
Document Number: 2013-20479
Type: Rule
Date: 2013-08-22
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that changed the size and grade requirements prescribed under the marketing order for oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and tangelos grown in Florida (order). The interim rule reduced the minimum size for Valencia and other late type oranges shipped to interstate markets from 2\8/16\ inches to 2\4/16\ inches from May 15 through August 31 each season. The interim rule also lowered the minimum grade for Valencia and other late type oranges shipped to interstate markets from a U.S. No. 1 to a U.S. No. 1 Golden from May 15, 2013, to June 14, 2013, and to a U.S. No. 2 external/U.S. No. 1 internal from June 15, 2013, to August 31, 2013. This rule provides additional Valencia and other late type oranges for late season markets, helping to maximize fresh shipments.
National Organic Program; Proposed Amendments to the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (Crops and Processing)
Document Number: 2013-20476
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2013-08-22
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This proposed rule would amend the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List) to reflect recommendations submitted to the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) by the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) on May 25, 2012 and October 18, 2012. The recommendations addressed in this proposed rule pertain to establishing exemptions (uses) for one substance in organic crop production and two substances in organic processing. Consistent with the recommendations from the NOSB, this proposed rule would add the following substances, along with any restrictive annotations, to the National List: biodegradable biobased mulch film; Citrus hystrix, leaves and fruit; and curry leaves (Murraya koenigii). This action also proposes a new definition for biodegradable biobased mulch film. This proposed rule would also remove two listings for nonorganic agricultural products on the National List, hops (Humulus lupulus) and unmodified rice starch, as their use exemptions expired on January 1, 2013, and June 21, 2009, respectively.
Tobacco Inspection and Grading Services: Notice of Request for an Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection
Document Number: 2013-20439
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-08-22
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 to the currently approved information collection in support of the Fair and Equitable Tobacco Reform Act of 2004 (U.S.C. Chapter 518), the Rural Development, Food and Drug Administrative, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for 2002 (Appropriations Act), and the Tobacco Inspection Act and Regulations Governing the Tobacco Standards.
Tobacco Report: Notice of Request for an Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection
Document Number: 2013-20438
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-08-22
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 and revision to the currently approved information collection for Tobacco Report (OMB No. 0581-0004).
Cotton Classing, Testing and Standards: Notice of Request for an Extension and Revision to a Currently Approved Information Collection
Document Number: 2013-20436
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-08-22
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 and revision to the currently approved information collection entitled Cotton Classing, Testing, and Standards.
Cotton Classification and Market News Service: Notice of Request for an Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection
Document Number: 2013-20434
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-08-22
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 and revision to the currently approved information collection Cotton Classification and Market News Service.
Apricots Grown in Designated Counties in Washington; Increased Assessment Rate
Document Number: 2013-20264
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2013-08-20
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This proposed rule would increase the assessment rate established for the Washington Apricot Marketing Committee (Committee) for the 2013-2014 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.50 to $1.50 per ton of Washington apricots handled. The Committee locally administers the marketing order, which regulates the handling of apricots grown in designated counties in Washington. Assessments upon apricot handlers are used by the Committee to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the marketing order. The fiscal period begins April 1 and ends March 31. The higher rate is deemed necessary to fund an increase in the Committee's proposed budget and replenish its reserve. The proposed assessment rate would remain in effect indefinitely unless modified or suspended, or if the marketing order were terminated.
Cranberries Grown in States of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and Long Island in the State of New York; Revising Determination of Sales History
Document Number: 2013-20253
Type: Rule
Date: 2013-08-20
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule revises the determination of sales history provisions currently prescribed under the cranberry marketing order (order). The order regulates the handling of cranberries grown in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and Long Island in the State of New York, and is administered locally by the Cranberry Marketing Committee (Committee). This rule modifies sales history calculations so that they are applicable for future seasons and adjusts the number of years that can be considered when determining the highest four years of past sales.
Sweet Cherries Grown in Designated Counties in Washington; Decreased Assessment Rate
Document Number: 2013-19012
Type: Rule
Date: 2013-08-08
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule decreases the assessment rate established for the Washington Cherry Marketing Committee (Committee) for the 2013-2014 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.18 to $0.15 per ton of sweet cherries handled. The Committee locally administers the marketing order, which regulates the handling of sweet cherries grown in designated counties in Washington. Assessments upon Washington sweet cherry handlers are used by the Committee to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The fiscal period begins April 1 and ends March 31. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.
Irish Potatoes Grown in Washington; Decreased Assessment Rate
Document Number: 2013-19011
Type: Rule
Date: 2013-08-08
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Department of Agriculture is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that decreased the assessment rate established for the State of Washington Potato Committee (Committee) for the 2013-2014 fiscal year and all subsequent fiscal periods from $0.003 to $0.0025 per hundredweight of potatoes handled. The Committee locally administers the marketing order for Irish potatoes grown in Washington. Decreasing the assessment rate was necessary to allow the Committee to reduce its financial reserve while still providing adequate funding to meet program expenses.
Kiwifruit Grown in California; Proposed Amendments to Marketing Order 920 and Referendum Order
Document Number: 2013-18627
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2013-08-02
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule proposes five amendments to Marketing Order No. 920 (order), which regulates the handling of kiwifruit grown in California, and provides growers with the opportunity to vote in a referendum to determine if they favor the changes. The amendments are based on proposals by the Kiwifruit Administrative Committee (Committee or KAC), which is responsible for the local administration of the order. The five amendments would provide authority to recommend and conduct production and postharvest research, to recommend and conduct market research and development projects, to receive and expend voluntary contributions, to specify that recommendations for production research and market development be approved by eight members of the Committee, and to update provisions regarding alternate members' service on the Committee. These amendments are intended to improve administration of and compliance with the order, as well as reflect current industry practices.
Tart Cherries Grown in the States of Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin; Revising Handler Reporting and Grower Diversion Requirements
Document Number: 2013-18432
Type: Rule
Date: 2013-08-01
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule invites comments on changes to handler reporting and grower diversion requirements prescribed under the marketing order for tart cherries grown in the States of Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin (order). The Cherry Industry Administrative Board (Board) locally administers the order. This rule changes the deadline for submitting the handler reserve plan from November 1 to October 1 and extends the deadline for redeeming or transferring grower diversion certificates from November 1 to June 30 of a given crop year. A crop year is the 12-month period beginning on July 1 of any crop year and ending on June 30 of the following year. These changes will provide the industry with a more complete and timely picture of the available supply earlier in the season and give handlers more time and flexibility in meeting their obligations under volume regulation.
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