Agricultural Marketing Service September 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

United States Standards for Beans
Document Number: 2020-21436
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-29
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is proposing a revision to the method of interpretation for determining ``sample grade criteria,'' in the Bean Inspection Handbook, as it pertains to the class ``Blackeye beans,'' in the U.S. Standards for Beans under the United States Agricultural Marketing Act (AMA). Stakeholders in the dry bean processing/handling industry requested that AMS amend the definition of sample grade in the Blackeye bean inspection instructions by revising the unit of measurement for the factor Insect Webbing or Filth and removing clean-cut weevil-bore as a sample grade factor. Clean-cut weevil-bore will be considered a damage factor only. To ensure that the Blackeye bean class standard remains relevant, AMS invites interested parties to comment on whether revising the inspection instructions facilitate the marketing of Blackeye beans. This action does not revise or amend the Grade and Grade Requirements for the class Blackeye Beans in the U.S. Standard for Beans.
United States Standards for Lentils
Document Number: 2020-21435
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-29
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is proposing a revision to the method of interpretation for the determining the special grade ``Green,'' in the Pea and Lentil Inspection Handbook, as it pertains to the class ``Lentils,'' in the U.S. Standards for Lentils under the United States Agricultural Marketing Act (AMA). Stakeholders in the lentil processing/handling industry requested AMS to amend the definition of the special grade ``Green'' to allow for the inclusion of mottled lentils. To ensure that the Lentil standards remain relevant, AMS invites interested parties to comment on whether revising the inspection instructions facilitate the marketing of Lentils. This action will revise or amend the Grade and Grade Requirements for Lentils in the U.S. Standard for Lentils.
United States Standards for Split Peas
Document Number: 2020-21434
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-29
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is proposing a revision to the method of interpretation for determining ``whole peas,'' in the Pea and Lentil Inspection Handbook, as it pertains to the class ``Split Peas,'' in the U.S. Standards for Split Peas under the United States Agricultural Marketing Act (AMA). Stakeholders in the pea processing/ handling industry requested AMS to amend the interpretation of whole peas in the Split Pea inspection instructions by increasing the percent requirement for the factor whole peas. To ensure that the Split Pea class standard remains relevant, AMS invites interested parties to comment on whether revising the inspection instruction facilitates the marketing of Split Peas. This action does not revise or amend the Grade and Grade Requirements for the class Split Peas in the U.S. Standard for Split Peas.
Pecan Research, Promotion, and Information Order
Document Number: 2020-19031
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2020-09-22
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This proposal invites comments on the establishment of the Pecan Research, Promotion, and Information Order (Order). The purpose of the program would be to strengthen the position of pecans in the marketplace, maintain and expand markets for pecans, and develop new uses for pecans. The program would be financed by an assessment on pecan producers and importers. This proposal also invites comments on the procedures for conducting a referendum to determine whether the continuation of the proposed Order is favored by domestic producers and importers of pecans. In addition, this proposal announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intent to request approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of new information collection requirements to implement the program.
National Organic Program (NOP); Final Decision on Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices Rule and Summary of Comments on the Economic Analysis Report
Document Number: 2020-19939
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-09-17
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
On April 23, 2020, the United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) published the Economic Analysis Report related to the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices final rule (OLPP Rule), published on January 19, 2017, and the final rule withdrawing the OLPP Rule (Withdrawal Rule), published on March 13, 2018. AMS sought comment to evaluate the analysis in the Economic Analysis Report and to decide whether additional action should be taken in regard to the OLPP Rule. The public comment process for the Economic Analysis Report is being conducted consistent with an Order of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, which granted USDA's Motion to Remand a legal challenge to the Withdrawal Rule for purposes of clarifying and supplementing the record regarding the economic analysis underlying both the OLPP Rule and the Withdrawal Rule. (See Organic Trade Association v. USDA; Civil Action No. 17-1875 (RMC) (March 12, 2020), ECF No. 112). After reviewing the Economic Analysis Report and the public comments on it, AMS is issuing this Final Decision concluding that no additional rulemaking action with respect to the OLPP Rule is necessary.
Watermelon Research and Promotion Plan; Realignment
Document Number: 2020-17581
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-09-14
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule realigns the representation on the National Watermelon Promotion Board (Board) under the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) regulations regarding a national research and promotion program for watermelons. This rule reduces the number of production districts and the number of importers on the Board, accordingly. This rule also makes administrative changes to other provisions of the Watermelon Research and Promotion Plan (Plan).
Establishment of a Domestic Hemp Production Program; Comment Period Reopened
Document Number: 2020-17659
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-09-08
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is providing an additional thirty (30) days for public comments on the interim final rule (IFR) that established the Domestic Hemp Production Program on October 31, 2019. Reopening the comment period gives interested persons an additional opportunity to comment on the IFR. Comments are solicited from all stakeholders, notably those who were subject to the regulatory requirements of the IFR during the 2020 production cycle.
Onions Grown in South Texas; Continuance Referendum
Document Number: 2020-17578
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2020-09-08
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This document directs that a referendum be conducted among eligible producers of onions grown in South Texas to determine whether they favor continuance of the marketing order regulating the handling of onions produced in the production area.
Oranges, Grapefruit, Tangerines, and Pummelos Grown in Florida; Establishment of Reporting Requirements and New Information Collection
Document Number: 2020-17576
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-09-08
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule implements a recommendation from the Citrus Administrative Committee (Committee) to establish reporting requirements under the Federal marketing order for oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and pummelos grown in Florida. This action requires Florida citrus handlers who handle citrus grown within the production area to register with the Committee.
Paper and Paper-Based Packaging Promotion, Research and Information Order; Continuance Referendum
Document Number: 2020-17547
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2020-09-03
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This document directs that a referendum be conducted among eligible domestic manufacturers and importers of paper and paper-based packaging to determine whether they favor continuance of the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) regulations regarding a national paper and paper-based packaging research and promotion program.
Meeting of the National Organic Standards Board
Document Number: 2020-17365
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-01
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is announcing a meeting of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). The NOSB assists the USDA in the development of standards for substances to be used in organic production and advises the Secretary of Agriculture on any other aspects of the implementation of the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA).
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