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

United States Standards for Grades of Processed Raisins
Document Number: E6-2770
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-02-28
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), prior to undertaking research and other work associated with revising official grade standards, is soliciting comments on the petition to change the United States Standards for Grades of Processed Raisins. AMS received a petition from the Raisin Administrative Committee (RAC) requesting that USDA revise the current grade standards to add to and also modify the wording for ``TYPE ISeedless Raisins. The petitioner believes that revising the standards will provide for common language presently used by the industry.
United States Standards for Grades of Bunched Italian Sprouting Broccoli
Document Number: E6-2769
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-02-28
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is soliciting comments on its proposal to revise the United States Standards for Grades of Bunched Italian Sprouting Broccoli. At a 2003 meeting of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee, AMS was asked to review all the fresh fruit and vegetable standards for usefulness in serving the industry. The current U.S. grade standards do not have provisions for grading broccoli crowns and florets. The proposed revisions will allow crowns and florets to be certified to a United States grade.
National Dairy Promotion and Research Program; Section 610 Review
Document Number: 06-1854
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2006-02-28
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) review of the National Dairy Promotion and Research Program (conducted under the Dairy Promotion and Research Order), using the criteria contained in Section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA).
Milk in the Pacific Northwest and Arizona-Las Vegas Marketing Areas; Order Amending the Orders
Document Number: 06-1587
Type: Rule
Date: 2006-02-24
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This final rule amends provisions of the producer-handler definitions of the Pacific Northwest and Arizona-Las Vegas orders as contained in the Final Decision published in the Federal Register on December 14, 2005. More than the required number of producers for the Arizona-Las Vegas and Pacific Northwest marketing areas approved the issuance of the orders as amended.
United States Standards for Grades of Peppers (Other Than Sweet Peppers)
Document Number: E6-2652
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-02-24
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), prior to undertaking research and other work associated with official grade standards, is soliciting comments on the possible development of the United States Standards for Grades of Peppers (Other Than Sweet Peppers). At a meeting with the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee, AMS was asked to identify commodities that may be better served if grade standards are developed. The standards would provide industry with a common language and uniform basis for trading, thus promoting the orderly and efficient marketing of peppers that are not of the sweet pepper type.
Irish Potatoes Grown in Colorado; Relaxation of Handling Regulation for Area No. 2
Document Number: 06-1717
Type: Rule
Date: 2006-02-24
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule relaxes the minimum grade requirement for certain potatoes handled under the Colorado potato marketing order, Area No. 2. The Colorado Potato Administrative Committee, Area No. 2 (Committee), the agency responsible for local administration of the marketing order, recommended this rule. This rule changes the minimum grade from U.S. No. 1 to U.S. Commercial for varieties of long, red-skinned, yellow fleshed potatoes produced in Area No. 2 measuring from 1\1/2\-inch minimum diameter to 2\1/4\-inch maximum diameter (size B), and from 1- inch minimum diameter to 1\3/4\-inch maximum diameter. The change is intended to provide potato handlers with more marketing flexibility, growers with increased returns, and consumers with a greater supply of small specialty potatoes.
Notice of Request for Extension of Approval and Revision to an Information Collection
Document Number: E6-2438
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-02-22
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 from the Office of Management and Budget approval for an extension of and revision to a currently approved information collection ``Customer Service Survey (Meat Grading and Certification Services).''
Irish Potatoes Grown in Certain Designated Counties in Idaho, and Malheur County, Oregon; Proposed Modification of Handling Regulation
Document Number: E6-2436
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2006-02-22
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This proposed rule invites comments on removing the exception for yellow fleshed Finnish-type potatoes from the minimum quantity exemption paragraph of the handling regulations issued under the Idaho- Eastern Oregon potato marketing order. The marketing order regulates the handling of Irish potatoes grown in certain designated counties in Idaho, and Malheur County, Oregon, and is administered locally by the Idaho-Eastern Oregon Potato Committee (Committee). A minimum quantity shipment exemption of up to 200 hundredweight is provided for yellow fleshed Finnish-type potatoes. Because yellow fleshed Finnish-type potatoes are no longer produced in the production area covered under the marketing order, the exemption is no longer necessary.
Milk in the Mideast Marketing Area; Recommended Decision and Opportunity To File Written Exceptions on Proposed Amendments to Tentative Marketing Agreement and Order
Document Number: 06-1586
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2006-02-22
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This decision recommends adoption of a proposal that would amend certain features of the Mideast Federal milk marketing order to deter the de-pooling of milk.
Milk in the Upper Midwest Marketing Area; Recommended Decision and Opportunity To File Written Exceptions on Proposed Amendments to Tentative Marketing Agreement and Order
Document Number: 06-1585
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2006-02-22
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This decision recommends adoption of proposals that would amend certain features of the Upper Midwest (UMW) Federal milk marketing order. Specifically, this decision recommends adoption of proposals that would deter the de-pooling of milk and increase the order's maximum administrative assessment rate.
Milk in the Central Marketing Area; Recommended Decision and Opportunity To File Written Exceptions on Proposed Amendments to Tentative Marketing Agreement and to Order
Document Number: 06-1584
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2006-02-22
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This decision recommends adoption of proposals that would amend certain features of the Central Federal milk marketing order. Specifically, this decision recommends adoption of proposals that would increase supply plant performance standards, amend features of the ``touch-base'' provision, amend certain features of the ``split plant'' provision and decrease the diversion limit standards of the order. This decision also recommends adoption of a proposal that would limit the volume of milk a handler can pool in a month to 125 percent of the total volume of milk pooled in the previous month.
Nectarines and Peaches Grown in California; Secretary's Decision and Referenda Order on Proposed Amendments to Marketing Agreement Nos. 124 and 85 and Order Nos. 916 and 917
Document Number: 06-1583
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2006-02-22
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This decision proposes amendments to Marketing Agreement Nos. 124 and 85 and Order Nos. 916 and 917 (orders), which regulate the handling of nectarines and peaches grown in California, and provides growers with the opportunity to vote in referenda to determine if they favor the changes. The amendments are based on those proposed by the Nectarine Administrative Committee (NAC), the Peach Commodity Committee (PCC), and the Control Committee (part of M.O. No. 917) (Committees), which are responsible for local administration of orders 916 and 917. The proposed amendments to order 917 only apply to peaches. The proposed amendments would: update definitions for ``handle'', ``grower'', and add a definition for ``pure grower'' to both orders; increase committee membership of the NAC from eight to thirteen members and modify sections of order 916 to conform to the increased membership; eliminate the Shippers Advisory Committee in order 916; allow the Control Committee under order 917 to be suspended if the provisions of one commodity are suspended and transfer applicable duties and responsibilities to the remaining Commodity Committee; authorize interest and late payment charges on assessments paid late in both orders; and other related amendments. The proposed amendments are intended to streamline and improve the administration, operation, and functioning of the orders.
Raisins Produced From Grapes Grown in California; Decreased Assessment Rate
Document Number: 06-1582
Type: Rule
Date: 2006-02-22
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule decreases the assessment rate established for the Raisin Administrative Committee (Committee) for the 2005-06 and subsequent crop years from $11.00 to $7.50 per ton of free tonnage raisins acquired by handlers, and reserve tonnage raisins released or sold to handlers for use in free tonnage outlets. The Committee locally administers the Federal marketing order which regulates the handling of raisins produced from grapes grown in California (order). Assessments upon raisin handlers are used by the Committee to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The crop year runs from August 1 through July 31. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.
United States Standards for Grades of Field Grown Leaf Lettuce
Document Number: E6-2386
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-02-21
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) is establishing voluntary United States Standards for Grades of Field Grown Leaf Lettuce. The standards will provide industry with a common language and uniform basis for trading, thus promoting the orderly and efficient marketing of field grown leaf lettuce.
United States Standards for Grades of Watermelons
Document Number: E6-2385
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-02-21
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) is revising the United States Standards for Grades of Watermelons. Specifically, AMS is revising the standard to include a definition for seedless watermelons and a variance to the size requirements. This action is being taken based on a request by the National Watermelon Association (NWA). This change will bring the standards for watermelons in line with current marketing practices, thereby, improving the usefulness of the standards in serving the industry.
Grapes Grown in a Designated Area of Southeastern California; Tart Cherries Grown in the States of Michigan, et al.; and Irish Potatoes Grown in Colorado
Document Number: 06-1536
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2006-02-21
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This document announces that the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) plans to review Marketing Order 925 (Grapes grown in a designated area of Southeastern California), Marketing Order 930 (Tart cherries grown in the States of Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin), and Marketing Order 948 (Irish potatoes grown in Colorado) under the criteria contained in section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA).
Pears Grown in Oregon and Washington; Establishment of Continuing Assessment Rates and Modification of the Rules and Regulations
Document Number: 06-1319
Type: Rule
Date: 2006-02-14
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule establishes continuing assessment rates for the Fresh Pear Committee and the Processed Pear Committee (Committees) for the 2005-2006 fiscal period and subsequent fiscal periods. The Committees recommended the establishment of three base rates of assessment for any or all varieties or subvarieties of pears classified as ``summer/fall'', ``winter'', and ``other'' for fresh pears and pears for processing, respectively. This rule also modifies handling and reporting requirements in conformance with the amendments made to the marketing order for pears grown in Oregon and Washington on May 21, 2005, and to reflect current pear industry operating practices under the marketing order. The marketing order is locally administered by the Committees. Assessments upon pear handlers are used by the Committees to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The fiscal period began July 1 and ends June 30. The assessment rates will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.
Dried Prunes Produced in California; Section 610 Review
Document Number: E6-1910
Type: Rule
Date: 2006-02-13
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This action summarizes the results under the criteria contained in section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), of an Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) review of Marketing Order No. 993, regulating the handling of dried prunes produced in California.
Egg Research and Promotion Program; Section 610 Review
Document Number: E6-1563
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2006-02-06
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This document announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) review of the Egg Research and Promotion Program (conducted under the Egg Research and Promotion Order), under the criteria contained in Section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA).
Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection
Document Number: E6-1382
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-02-02
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), Science and Technology Program's intention to include three new public information collection request forms when submitting its request for approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), for an extension of and revision to OMB 0581-0055, ``Application for Plant Variety Protection Certification and Objective Description of Variety.'' Copies of the proposed forms may be obtained by calling the Plant Variety Protection Office (PVPO) contact listed.
Marketing Order Regulating the Handling of Spearmint Oil Produced in the Far West; Salable Quantities and Allotment Percentages for the 2006-2007 Marketing Year
Document Number: 06-948
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2006-02-01
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule would establish the quantity of spearmint oil produced in the Far West, by class, that handlers may purchase from, or handle for, producers during the 2006-2007 marketing year, which begins on June 1, 2006. This rule invites comments on the establishment of salable quantities and allotment percentages for Class 1 (Scotch) spearmint oil of 878,205 pounds and 45 percent, respectively, and for Class 3 (Native) spearmint oil of 1,007,886 pounds and 46 percent, respectively. The Spearmint Oil Administrative Committee (Committee), the agency responsible for local administration of the marketing order for spearmint oil produced in the Far West, recommended these limitations for the purpose of avoiding extreme fluctuations in supplies and prices to help maintain stability in the spearmint oil market.
Oranges, Grapefruit, Tangerines, and Tangelos Grown in Florida; Increased Assessment Rate
Document Number: 06-947
Type: Rule
Date: 2006-02-01
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule increases the assessment rate established for the Citrus Administrative Committee (Committee) for the 2005-06 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.006 to $0.008 per \4/5\ bushel carton of oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and tangelos handled. The Committee locally administers the marketing order which regulates the handling of oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and tangelos grown in Florida. Assessments upon Florida citrus handlers are used by the Committee to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The fiscal period begins August 1 and ends July 31. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.
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