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

This rule suspends Part 926 in the Code of Federal Regulations, which requires persons engaged in the handling or importation of fresh cranberries or cranberry products, but not subject to the reporting requirements of the Federal cranberry marketing order (7 CFR Part 929), to report sales, acquisition, and inventory information to the Cranberry Marketing Committee (Committee), and to maintain adequate records of such activities. The establishment of these requirements is authorized under section 8(d) of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 (Act). The Committee, which administers marketing order 929, regulating 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, has been delegated by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to collect such information authorized under Part 926. Based on information provided by the Committee, USDA has determined that the collection of information under Part 926 is of marginal benefit to the industry and should be suspended.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), prior to undertaking research and other work associated with revising official grade standards, is soliciting comments on the possible revisions to the United States Standards for Grades of Cantaloups. AMS has been reviewing the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable grade standards for usefulness in serving the industry. As a result, AMS has identified the United States Standards for Grades of Cantaloups for possible revisions. AMS is considering revising the (Application of Tolerances( section in the U.S. standards. Additionally, the (Unclassified( category would be eliminated from the standards. AMS is seeking comments on these proposed changes that may better serve the industry.

This rule modifies the grade and maturity requirements for potatoes handled under the Colorado potato marketing order, Area No. 2. The marketing order regulates the handling of Irish potatoes grown in Colorado and is administered locally by the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee, Area No. 2 (Committee). This rule relaxes the minimum grade requirement from U.S. No. 1 grade to U.S. Commercial grade for all Area No. 2 potato varieties, other than round, red- skinned varieties, measuring from 1 \1/2\-inch minimum diameter to 2 \1/4\-inch maximum diameter (size B), and 1-inch minimum diameter to 1 \3/4\-inch maximum diameter. This rule also changes from August 25 to August 1 of each year the date minimum maturity requirements are implemented. These changes are intended to facilitate the handling and marketing of Colorado Area No. 2 potatoes.

This document summarizes the results of an 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). Based upon its review, AMS has determined that the Order should be continued without change.

This rule amends the structure of the Administrative Committee (Committee) of the National Potato Promotion Board (Board) as prescribed in the Potato Research and Promotion Plan by increasing the number of Vice-Chairperson positions on the Committee from six to seven. The change is intended to more closely correlate the Committee's representation with potato production in the Northwest districta five state region which accounts for more than half of all U.S. potato production.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) is establishing voluntary United States Standards for Grades of Pea Pods. The standards will provide industry with a common language and uniform basis for trading, thus promoting the orderly and efficient marketing of pea pods.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) is establishing voluntary United States Standards for Grades of Cultivated Ginseng. AMS received a request from an industry group representing cultivated ginseng growers to develop a standard that will provide the industry with a common language and uniform basis for trading, thus promoting the orderly and efficient marketing of cultivated ginseng.

This final rule revises export regulations issued under the Export Apple and Pear Act (now renamed as the Export Apple Act) to reflect an amendment to that Act. The amendment limits the applicability of the Act to apple exports and removes all references to pears. Accordingly, the provisions applicable to pears are removed from the regulations.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) published in the Federal Register on November 8, 2006, a document concerning quality control requirements under the California almond marketing order. Language was inadvertently omitted in the regulatory text to specify that the changes apply to all almonds received by handlers beginning August 1, 2006.

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 to a currently approved information collection for the Export Fruit Acts covering exports of apples and grapes.

This final rule adjusts the number of members for certain States on the United Soybean Board (Board) to reflect changes in production levels that have occurred since the Board was reapportioned in 2003, which became effective with 2004 nominations. These adjustments are required by the Soybean Promotion and Research Order (Order) and would result in an increase in Board membership from 64 to 68 effective with the Secretary's 2007 nominations and appointments.