Agricultural Marketing Service July 12, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Notice is hereby given that the comment period on possible revisions to the United States Standards for Grades of Florida Avocados is reopened and extended.

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim final rule exempting onions being shipped to export markets from regulations prescribed under the South Texas onion marketing order. The marketing order regulates the handling of onions grown in South Texas, and is administered locally by the South Texas Onion Committee (Committee). This rule continues in effect the action that provides a special purpose shipment exemption for onions being shipped to export markets. Under this change, onion shipments for export will continue to be exempt from the grade, size, quality, and inspection requirements of the marketing order. This rule continues in effect the action that provides handlers additional flexibility in marketing onions of different grades and quality in various markets outside of the U.S. This change helps the South Texas onion industry develop additional markets for its onions, while increasing returns to producers and providing an increased supply of onions to help satisfy a rapidly developing export market.

This decision proposes amendments to Marketing Agreement No. 121 and Order No. 915 (order), which regulate avocados grown in South Florida, and provides growers with the opportunity to vote in a referendum to determine if they favor the changes. The amendments are based on those proposed by the Florida Avocado Administrative Committee (Committee), which is responsible for local administration of the order. The amendments would: Add authority for the Committee to borrow funds; revise voting requirements for changing the assessment rate; allow for District 1 nominations to be conducted by mail; and add authority for the Committee to accept voluntary contributions. The proposed amendments are intended to improve the operation and functioning of the marketing order program.