Agricultural Marketing Service June 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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 Dried Prunes Produced in California-Prune Dehydrator Survey, Marketing Order 993.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention to request an extension for a currently approved information collection in support of the shell egg surveillance portion of the Regulations for the Inspection of Eggs7 CFR part 57.

This rule decreases the assessment rate established for the Area No. 3 Colorado Potato Administrative Committee (Committee) for the 2005-2006 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.03 to $0.02 per hundredweight of potatoes. The Committee locally administers the marketing order which regulates the handling of potatoes grown in Colorado. Authorization to assess Colorado potato handlers enables the Committee to incur expenses that are reasonable and necessary to administer the program. The fiscal period begins July 1 and ends June 30. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.

This rule increases the assessment rate established for the Avocado Administrative Committee (Committee) for the 2005-06 and subsequent fiscal years from $0.20 to $0.27 per 55-pound bushel container or equivalent of avocados handled. The Committee locally administers the marketing order which regulates the handling of avocados grown in South Florida. Authorization to assess avocado handlers enables the Committee to incur expenses that are reasonable and necessary to administer the program. The fiscal year began April 1 and ends March 31. The assessment rate remains in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.

This action terminates the proceeding to establish a marketing agreement and order for hops grown in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and California. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) held a public hearing in October 2003 to receive evidence on a program proposed by the Hop Marketing Order Proponent Committee (Proponent Committee), a group of industry members in support of an order. The proposed program would have authorized volume control measures in the form of producer allotments to regulate the marketing of alpha acid in hops in the production area. In addition, the proposed order would have allowed for reserve pooling of excess production of alpha acid and would have provided for production research, marketing research and development projects to promote the marketing, distribution and consumption or efficient production of hops. After the hearing sessions, USDA received numerous comments, briefs and additional arguments expressing widely divergent views on the promulgation of a marketing order for hops. After careful consideration of the entire rulemaking record, USDA is unable to conclude that the proposal currently under consideration would tend to effectuate the declared policy of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674), hereinafter referred to as the ``Act.'' Accordingly, USDA is hereby terminating the proceeding.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is withdrawing the notice soliciting comments on its proposal to amend the voluntary United States Standards for Grades of Snap Beans. After reviewing and considering the comments received, the Agency has decided not to proceed with this action.

This rule invites comments on revisions to the pack requirements for California kiwifruit 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). This rule would require that kiwifruit marked as size 39 or 42 not vary in diameter by more than \3/ 8\ inch, regardless of pack type. In addition, the three tables currently under the pack regulation would be consolidated into one. By allowing handlers to utilize a single table for kiwifruit size designations and size variation tolerances regardless of pack or container, this rule is expected to simplify requirements for the industry, reduce handler packing costs, increase grower returns, and increase flexibility in handler packing operations.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), prior to undertaking research and other work associated with revising official grade standards, is soliciting comments on the need for possible revisions of the United States Standards for Grades of Dewberries and Blackberries. At a 2003 meeting with the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee, AMS was asked to review the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable grade standards for usefulness in serving the industry. As a result AMS has identified the color requirement for possible revision. Additionally, AMS is seeking comments regarding any other revisions that may be necessary to better serve the industry.

As required by the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (OFPA), the allowed use of 165 synthetic and non-synthetic substances in organic production and handling will expire on October 21, 2007. In addition, prohibitions on the use of 9 non-synthetic substances will expire in organic production on October 21, 2007. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is publishing this advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) to make the public aware of this OFPA requirement. AMS believes that public comment is essential in the review process to determine whether these substances should continue to be allowed or prohibited in the production and handling of organic agricultural products.

This rule increases the assessment rate established for the State of Washington Potato Committee (Committee) for the 2005-2006 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.002 to $0.0035 per hundredweight of potatoes handled. The Committee locally administers the marketing order which regulates the handling of Irish potatoes grown in Washington. Authorization to assess potato handlers enables the Committee to incur expenses that are reasonable and necessary to administer the program. The fiscal period begins July 1 and ends June 30. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.

This rule decreases the assessment rate established for the Idaho-Eastern Oregon Onion Committee (Committee) for the 2005-2006 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.105 to $0.10 per hundredweight of onions handled. The Committee locally administers the marketing order which regulates the handling of onions grown in designated counties in Idaho, and Malheur County, Oregon. Authorization to assess onion handlers enables the Committee to incur expenses that are reasonable and necessary to administer the program. The fiscal period begins July 1 and ends June 30. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.