Agricultural Marketing Service 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Results 51 - 100 of 209
Cotton Research and Promotion Program: Procedures for Conduct of Sign-up Period
Document Number: 07-4312
Type: Rule
Date: 2007-09-06
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule will amend the rules and regulations regarding the procedures for the conduct of a sign-up period for eligible cotton producers and importers to request a continuance referendum on the 1991 amendments to the Cotton Research and Promotion Order (Order) provided for in the Cotton Research and Promotion Act (Act) amendments of 1990. The amendments will update various dates, name changes, addresses, and make other administrative changes.
Notice of Agricultural Management Assistance Organic Certification Cost Share Program
Document Number: 07-4242
Type: Notice
Date: 2007-08-29
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This notice invites the following eligible States: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming, to submit an Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424), and to enter into a Cooperative Agreement with the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) for the Allocation of Organic Certification Cost-Share Funds. The AMS has allocated $1.0 million for this organic certification cost-share program in Fiscal Year 2007. Funds will be available under this program to 15 designated States to assist organic crop and livestock producers certified under the National Organic Program (NOP). Eligible States interested in obtaining cost-share funds for their organic producers will have to submit an Application for Federal Assistance, and will have to enter into a cooperative agreement with AMS for the allocation for such funds.
Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection
Document Number: 07-4241
Type: Notice
Date: 2007-08-29
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) intention to request an extension for an revision to a currently approved information collection enabling certified organic handlers exemption from paying market promotion assessments under 26 Federal marketing order programs.
Peanut Standards Board
Document Number: E7-16977
Type: Notice
Date: 2007-08-28
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 requires the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a Peanut Standards Board (Board) for the purpose of advising the Secretary on quality and handling standards for domestically produced and imported peanuts. The initial Board was appointed by the Secretary and announced on December 5, 2002. USDA seeks nominations for individuals to be considered for selection to the Board to fill two vacant Board positions for the remainder of a term of office ending June 30, 2010. The Board consists of 18 members representing producers and industry representatives.
Notice of Request for an Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection
Document Number: E7-16972
Type: Notice
Date: 2007-08-28
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) intention to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for an extension of a currently approved information collection for organic exemption requests under national research and promotion programs. Upon OMB approval, this burden will be merged into the information collection currently approved under OMB No. 0581-0093 for National Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Programs.
Apricots Grown in Designated Counties in Washington; Increased Assessment Rate
Document Number: E7-16971
Type: Rule
Date: 2007-08-28
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule increases the assessment rate established for the Washington Apricot Marketing Committee (Committee) for the 2007-2008 and subsequent fiscal periods from $1.00 to $1.50 per ton for Washington apricots. The Committee is responsible for local administration of the marketing order regulating the handling of apricots grown in designated counties in Washington. Assessments upon handlers of apricots are used by the Committee to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The fiscal period for the marketing order began April 1 and ends March 31. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended or terminated.
Onions Grown in South Texas; Change in Regulatory Period
Document Number: 07-4162
Type: Rule
Date: 2007-08-28
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim final rule revising the regulatory period for minimum grade, size, quality, and maturity requirements applicable to onions grown in South Texas under Marketing Order No. 959 (order). Prior to implementation of the interim final rule, the regulatory period for South Texas onions was March 1 through June 4 of each year. Changes in available varieties, growing seasons, and marketing opportunities over the years have resulted in a prolonged onion shipping season that now extends beyond June 4 into mid-July. This rule continues in effect the action that extended the regulatory period through July 15. The South Texas Onion Committee (Committee), which locally administers the order, unanimously recommended the change.
Nectarines and Peaches Grown in California; Revision of Handling Requirements for Fresh Nectarines and Peaches
Document Number: 07-4161
Type: Rule
Date: 2007-08-28
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim final rule eliminating grade, size, maturity, pack, container and inspection requirements for all California nectarines and peaches except those packed in containers labeled ``California Well Matured'' or ``CA WELL MAT.'' This rule also continues in effect seasonal adjustments to the handling requirements applicable to well matured fruit and the removal of certain handler reporting requirements that are deemed no longer necessary. The marketing orders regulate the handling of nectarines and peaches grown in California and are administered locally by the Nectarine Administrative and Peach Commodity Committees (committees). This rule reduces handler costs while enabling handlers to continue to meet the demands of their buyers.
Walnuts Grown in California; Increased Assessment Rate
Document Number: E7-16199
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2007-08-17
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule would increase the assessment rate established for the Walnut Marketing Board (Board) for the 2007-08 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.0101 to $0.0122 per kernelweight pound of assessable walnuts. The Board locally administers the marketing order which regulates the handling of walnuts grown in California. Assessments upon walnut handlers are used by the Board to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The marketing year begins August 1 and ends July 31. The assessment rate would remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.
United States Standards for Grades of Pineapples
Document Number: E7-15951
Type: Notice
Date: 2007-08-15
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 Pineapples. The proposal would replace Tables I and II in the tolerances section with numerical tolerances and numerical application of tolerances. Decay tolerances would also be revised. The proposed revisions would make the United States Standards for Grades of Pineapples more uniform with other existing grade standards and would better serve the industry.
Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection
Document Number: E7-15949
Type: Notice
Date: 2007-08-15
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) intention to request approval, from the Office of Management and Budget, for an extension and revision of a currently approved information collection used to compile and generate the livestock and meat market reports for the Livestock and Grain Market News Branch of the Livestock and Seed Program.
Onions Grown in South Texas; Secretary's Decision and Referendum Order on Proposed Amendments to Marketing Agreement No. 143 and Order No. 959
Document Number: E7-15391
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2007-08-10
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This decision proposes amending the marketing agreement and order (order) for onions grown in South Texas, 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 South Texas Onion Committee (committee), which is responsible for local administration of the order. The amendments include: Adding authority to the order to establish supplemental assessment rates on specified containers of onions; authorizing interest and late payment charges on assessments not paid within a prescribed time period; and authorizing the committee to engage in marketing promotion and paid advertising activities. Two additional amendments were proposed by the Department of Agriculture (USDA): Requiring that a continuance referendum be conducted every six years to determine grower support for the order; and, limiting the number of consecutive terms of office a member can serve on the committee. The proposed amendments are intended to improve the operation and functioning of the South Texas onion marketing order program.
Nectarines and Peaches Grown in California; Decreased Assessment Rates
Document Number: E7-15393
Type: Rule
Date: 2007-08-09
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule decreases the assessment rates established for the Nectarine Administrative Committee and the Peach Commodity Committee (committees) for the 2007-08 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.21 to $0.06 per 25-pound container or container equivalent of nectarines and peaches handled. The committees locally administer the marketing orders that regulate the handling of nectarines and peaches grown in California. Assessments upon nectarine and peach handlers are used by the committees to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the programs. The fiscal period runs from March 1 through the last day of February. The assessment rates will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.
Sweet Cherries Grown in Designated Counties in Washington; Decreased Assessment Rate
Document Number: E7-15397
Type: Rule
Date: 2007-08-08
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule decreases the assessment rate established for the Washington Cherry Marketing Committee (Committee) for the 2007-2008 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.50 to $0.40 per ton for Washington sweet cherries. The Committee is responsible for local administration of the marketing order regulating the handling of sweet cherries grown in designated counties in Washington. Assessments upon handlers of sweet cherries are used by the Committee to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The fiscal period for the marketing order begins April 1 and ends March 31. The assessment rate remains in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended or terminated.
Livestock Mandatory Reporting; Reestablishment and Revision of the Reporting Regulation for Swine, Cattle, Lamb, and Boxed Beef
Document Number: 07-3857
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2007-08-08
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
On April 2, 2001, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) implemented the Livestock Mandatory Reporting (LMR) program as required by the Livestock Mandatory Reporting Act of 1999 (1999 Act). The statutory authority for the program lapsed on September 30, 2005. In October 2006, legislation was enacted to reauthorize the 1999 Act until September 30, 2010, and to amend the swine reporting requirements of the 1999 Act (Pub. L. 109-296) (Reauthorization Act). This rulemaking is necessary to re-establish the regulatory authority for the program's continued operation and incorporate the swine reporting changes contained within the Reauthorization Act as well as make other changes to enhance the program's overall effectiveness and efficiency based on AMS' experience in the administration of the program over the last 6 years.
Raisins Produced From Grapes Grown in California; Change in Requirements for Interhandler Transfers of Raisins
Document Number: 07-3856
Type: Rule
Date: 2007-08-07
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule revises the requirements for interhandler transfers of raisins under the administrative rules and regulations of the California raisin marketing order (order). The order regulates the handling of raisins produced from grapes grown in California and is administered locally by the Raisin Administrative California (Committee). This rule requires handlers who transfer raisins to other handlers within the State of California to certify to the Committee that only acquired, free-tonnage raisins that meet all applicable order requirements are being transferred to receiving handlers. This action should help maintain the integrity of the order by ensuring that handlers only transfer acquired, free-tonnage raisins that meet applicable order requirements.
Multi-Year Revision of Fees for the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Terminal Market Inspection Services
Document Number: E7-14826
Type: Rule
Date: 2007-08-01
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule would revise the regulations governing the inspection and certification for fresh fruits, vegetables and other products by increasing certain fees charged for the inspection of these products at destination markets for the next two fiscal years (FY-2007 and FY-2008) by approximately 15 percent each fiscal year. This rule would increase fees 30 days after publication in FY-2007 and again in March 2008. These revisions are necessary in order to recover, as nearly as practicable, the costs of performing inspection services at destination markets under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (AMA of 1946). The fees charged to persons required to have inspection on imported commodities in accordance with the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 and for imported peanuts under section 1308 of the Farm Security and Rural Investigation Act of 2002.
Raisins Produced From Grapes Grown In California; Use of Estimated Trade Demand To Compute Volume Regulation Percentages
Document Number: E7-14825
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2007-08-01
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule invites comments on using an estimated trade demand figure to compute volume regulation percentages for 2007-08 crop Natural (sun-dried) Seedless (NS) raisins covered under the Federal marketing order for California raisins (order). The order regulates the handling of raisins produced from grapes grown in California and is administered locally by the Raisin Administrative Committee (Committee). This rule would provide parameters for implementing volume regulation for 2007-08 crop NS raisins, if supplies are short, for the purposes of maintaining a portion of the industry's export markets and stabilizing the domestic market.
Marketing Order Regulating the Handling of Spearmint Oil Produced in the Far West; Revision of the Salable Quantity and Allotment Percentage for Class 1 (Scotch) and Class 3 (Native) Spearmint Oil for the 2006-2007 Marketing Year
Document Number: E7-14622
Type: Rule
Date: 2007-07-31
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim final rule that revised the quantity of Class 1 (Scotch) and Class 3 (Native) spearmint oil that handlers may have purchased from, or handled for, producers during the 2006-2007 marketing year. This rule continues in effect the action that increased the Scotch spearmint oil salable quantity from 878,205 pounds to 2,984,817 pounds, and the allotment percentage from 45 percent to 153 percent. In addition, this rule continues in effect the action that increased the Native spearmint oil salable quantity from 1,161,260 pounds to 1,205,208 pounds, and the allotment percentage from 53 percent to 55 percent. The marketing order regulates the handling of spearmint oil produced in the Far West and is administered locally by the Spearmint Oil Administrative Committee (Committee). The Committee recommended this rule for the purpose of avoiding extreme fluctuations in supplies and prices and to help maintain stability in the Far West spearmint oil market.
Oranges, Grapefruit, Tangerines, and Tangelos Grown in Florida; Decreased Assessment Rate
Document Number: E7-14621
Type: Rule
Date: 2007-07-30
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule decreases the assessment rate established for the Citrus Administrative Committee (Committee) for the 2007-08 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.008 to $0.0072 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.
Mushroom Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Order and Watermelon Research and Promotion Plan; Corrections
Document Number: E7-14615
Type: Rule
Date: 2007-07-30
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is making corrections to the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR part 1209 and 7 CFR part 1210) to reflect the modification of Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes for imported mushrooms and watermelons by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. This document updates the HTS codes for the mentioned imported commodities in 7 CFR 1209.51(e)(3) and 7 CFR 1210.515(b).
Mango Promotion, Research, and Information Order; Amendment to Term of Office Provision
Document Number: E7-14612
Type: Rule
Date: 2007-07-30
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule amends, on an interim basis, the term of office provision of the Mango Promotion, Research, and Information Order (Order) so that the term of office and term limit for the two wholesaler and/or retailer positions of the National Mango Board (Board) be the same as that of other members. Specifically, the amendment modifies the term of office from one year to three years, and modifies the term limit for these positions from a maximum of three consecutive one-year terms to a maximum of two consecutive three-year terms in order to conform to the requirements of the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996 Act.
Cotton Research and Promotion Program: Procedures for Conduct of Sign-Up Period
Document Number: E7-14608
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2007-07-30
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This proposed rule would amend the rules and regulations regarding the procedures for the conduct of a sign-up period for eligible cotton producers and importers to request a continuance referendum on the 1991 amendments to the Cotton Research and Promotion Order (Order) provided for in the Cotton Research and Promotion Act (Act) amendments of 1990. The amendments would update various dates, name changes, addresses, and make other administrative changes.
United States Standards for Grades of Mangos
Document Number: E7-14339
Type: Notice
Date: 2007-07-25
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is revising the voluntary United States Standards for Grades of Mangos. Specifically, AMS is revising the standards to allow for longer, up to an inch, attached stem lengths. The revisions would bring the standards for mangos in line with current marketing practices, thereby improving their usefulness in serving the industry.
United States Standards for Grades of Cantaloups
Document Number: E7-14337
Type: Notice
Date: 2007-07-25
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is soliciting comments on its proposal to revise the voluntary United States Standards for Grades of Cantaloups. AMS is proposing revisions to the ``Application of Tolerances'' section in the cantaloup standards. Additionally, AMS is removing the ``Unclassified'' category from the standards. The proposed revisions will update the cantaloup grade standards and better reflect current marketing practices.
Fresh Prunes Grown in Designated Counties in Washington and in Umatilla County, Oregon; Decreased Assessment Rate
Document Number: E7-13583
Type: Rule
Date: 2007-07-13
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule decreases the assessment rate established for the Washington-Oregon Fresh Prune Marketing Committee (Committee) for the 2007-2008 and subsequent fiscal periods from $1.75 to $1.00 per ton of prunes handled. The Committee locally administers the marketing order, which regulates the handling of fresh prunes grown in designated counties in Washington and in Umatilla County, Oregon. Assessments upon fresh prune handlers are used by the Committee to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The fiscal period began April 1 and ends March 31. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.
Apricots Grown in Designated Counties in Washington; Increased Assessment Rate
Document Number: E7-13581
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2007-07-13
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule would increase the assessment rate established for the Washington Apricot Marketing Committee (Committee) for the 2007- 2008 and subsequent fiscal periods from $1.00 to $1.50 per ton for Washington apricots. The Committee is responsible for local administration of the marketing order regulating the handling of apricots grown in designated counties in Washington. Assessments upon handlers of apricots are used by the Committee to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The fiscal period for the marketing order begins April 1 and ends March 31. The assessment rate would remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended or terminated.
Papayas Grown in Hawaii; Termination of Marketing Order 928 and Implementing Rules and Regulations
Document Number: E7-13580
Type: Rule
Date: 2007-07-13
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This final rule terminates the Federal marketing order (order) for papayas grown in Hawaii, and the rules and regulations established under the order. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) previously determined the order should be terminated due to the results of a referendum in which growers indicated a lack of support for the continuation of the order. However, USDA postponed the termination until licensing agreements regarding development and use of transgenic papaya varieties could be resolved. Sufficient time has elapsed for the industry to resolve any outstanding licensing issues. Therefore, USDA is proceeding with the termination of the order.
Kiwifruit Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Order; Correction
Document Number: E7-13546
Type: Rule
Date: 2007-07-13
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is removing from the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) its procedural regulations regarding the Kiwifruit Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Order (Order), a program never implemented.
Walnuts Grown in California; Secretary's Decision and Referendum Order on Proposed Amendment of Marketing Agreement and Order No. 984
Document Number: 07-3412
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2007-07-13
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This decision proposes amendments to Marketing Order No. 984, which regulates the handling of walnuts grown in California (order), and provides growers with the opportunity to vote in a referendum to determine if they favor the changes. The amendments were proposed by the Walnut Marketing Board (Board), which is responsible for local administration of the order. The amendments would: change the marketing year; include ``pack'' as a handler function; restructure the Board and revise nomination procedures; rename the Board and add authority to change Board composition; modify Board meeting and voting procedures; add authority for marketing promotion and paid advertising; add authority to accept voluntary financial contributions and to carry over excess assessment funds; broaden the scope of the quality control provisions and add the authority to recommend different regulations for different market destinations; add authority for the Board to appoint more than one inspection service; replace outdated order language with current industry terminology; and other related amendments. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposed three additional amendments: To establish tenure limitations for Board members, to require that continuance referenda be conducted on a periodic basis to ascertain producer support for the order, and to make any necessary conforming changes. The proposed amendments are intended to improve the operation and functioning of the marketing order program.
United States Standards for Grades of Florida Avocados
Document Number: E7-13549
Type: Notice
Date: 2007-07-12
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
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.
Soybean Promotion and Research Program; Section 610 Review
Document Number: E7-13548
Type: Rule
Date: 2007-07-12
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This document summarizes the results of an Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) review of the Soybean Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Program under the criteria contained in section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA). Based upon its review, AMS has determined that the Soybean Research and Promotion Order (Order) should be continued without change.
Onions Grown in South Texas; Exemption of Onions for Export
Document Number: E7-13547
Type: Rule
Date: 2007-07-12
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
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.
Apricots Grown in Designated Counties in Washington; Suspension of Container Regulations
Document Number: E7-13538
Type: Rule
Date: 2007-07-12
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim final rule suspending the container regulations prescribed under the Washington apricot marketing order. This rule continues in effect the action that indefinitely extended the temporary 2006 season container regulation suspension. The marketing order regulates the handling of fresh apricots grown in designated counties in the State of Washington, and is administered locally by the Washington Apricot Marketing Committee (Committee). This relaxation in the regulatory requirements allows handlers to pack and ship apricots in any size, shape, or type of container, thus providing the apricot industry with increased marketing flexibility.
Avocados Grown in South Florida; Secretary's Decision and Referendum Order on Proposed Amendment of Marketing Agreement No. 121 and Order No. 915
Document Number: 07-3408
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2007-07-12
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
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.
Grapes Grown in a Designated Area of Southeastern California; Increased Assessment Rate
Document Number: E7-13342
Type: Rule
Date: 2007-07-10
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule increases the assessment rate established for the California Desert Grape Administrative Committee (committee) for the 2007 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.0175 to $0.0200 per 18-pound lug of grapes handled. The committee locally administers the marketing order, which regulates the handling of grapes grown in a designated area of southeastern California. Assessments upon desert grape handlers are used by the committee to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The fiscal period began January 1 and ends December 31. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.
Almonds Grown in California; Hearing on Proposed Amendment of Marketing Order No. 981
Document Number: E7-13073
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2007-07-06
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
Notice is hereby given of a public hearing to receive evidence on proposed amendments to Marketing Order No. 981 (order), which regulates the handling of almonds grown in California. Two amendments are proposed by the Almond Board of California (Board), which is responsible for local administration of the order. The proposed amendments would authorize establishment of container marking and labeling requirements and authorize establishment of different outgoing quality regulations for different markets. In addition, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) proposes to make any such changes as may be necessary to the order or its administrative rules and regulations to conform to any amendment that may result from the hearing. The proposals are intended to provide additional flexibility in administering the quality control provisions of the order and provide the industry with additional tools to aid in the marketing of almonds.
Notice of Request for an Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection
Document Number: 07-3272
Type: Notice
Date: 2007-07-05
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) intention to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget, for an extension of, and revision to a currently approved information collection for the National Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Programs.
Dairy Product Mandatory Reporting
Document Number: 07-3235
Type: Rule
Date: 2007-07-03
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This interim final rule establishes a Dairy Product Mandatory Reporting Program as required by law, on an interim final basis. The Dairy Market Enhancement Act of 2000, and certain provisions of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, amended the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to provide for timely, accurate, and reliable market information to facilitate more informed marketing decisions and promote competition in the dairy product manufacturing industry. The Department will issue a final rule once public comments have been received.
United States Standards for Grades of Table Grapes (European or Vinifera Type)
Document Number: E7-12384
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2007-06-29
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is withdrawing the document soliciting comments on its proposal to amend the voluntary United States Standards for Grades of Table Grapes (European or Vinifera Type). After reviewing and considering the comments received, the agency has decided not to proceed with this action.
Mushroom Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Order; Reallocation of Mushroom Council Membership
Document Number: E7-12402
Type: Rule
Date: 2007-06-27
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim final rule that reapportioned the membership of the Mushroom Council (Council) to reflect shifts in United States mushroom production. The final rule continues in effect the realignment of the Mushroom Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Order's (Order) four United States geographic regions, and reallocates Council member representation in two of the four United States geographic regions (Regions 1 and 4). The Council, which administers the Order, proposed the amendments in conformance with Order requirements to reviewat least every 5 years and not more than every three yearsthe geographic distribution of United States mushroom production volume and import volume. These changes to the Council are effective for the Secretary of Agriculture's 2008 appointments.
Irish Potatoes Grown in Colorado; Section 610 Review
Document Number: E7-12396
Type: Rule
Date: 2007-06-27
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. 948, regulating the handling of Irish potatoes grown in Colorado (order). AMS has determined that the order should be continued.
National Organic Program (NOP)-Amendments to the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (Processing)
Document Number: 07-3142
Type: Rule
Date: 2007-06-27
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This Interim final rule amends the Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List) regulations to enact 38 recommendations submitted to the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) by the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) during public meetings held May 6-8, 2002, in Austin, Texas, and March 27-29, 2007, in Washington, DC. This action is also being taken to provide an additional 60 days for the public to comment on these 38 amendments to the National List.
United States Standards for Grades of Tomatoes on the Vine
Document Number: E7-12064
Type: Notice
Date: 2007-06-22
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
Notice is hereby given that the comment period on possible development of United States Standards for Grades of Tomatoes on the Vine is reopened and extended.
United States Standards for Grades of Parsley
Document Number: E7-11930
Type: Notice
Date: 2007-06-20
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) is revising the voluntary United States Standards for Grades of Parsley. Specifically, AMS is revising the standards to allow percentages to be determined by count rather than weight. AMS is also eliminating the unclassified category. The revisions would bring the standards for parsley in line with current marketing practices, thereby improving the usefulness in serving the industry.
Oranges, Grapefruit, Tangerines, and Tangelos Grown in Florida; and Sweet Cherries Grown in Designated Counties in Washington; Section 610 Reviews
Document Number: E7-11929
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2007-06-20
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This document announces that the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) plans to review Marketing Order 905 (Oranges, Grapefruit, Tangerines, and Tangelos Grown in Florida), and Marketing Order 923 (Sweet Cherries Grown in Designated Counties in Washington) under the criteria contained in section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA).
Raisins Produced From Grapes Grown in California; Change to Reporting Requirements Regarding Other Seedless Raisins; Correction
Document Number: E7-11829
Type: Rule
Date: 2007-06-20
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Agricultural Marketing Service published a final rule in the Federal Register on September 28, 2004 (69 FR 57822). The document changed reporting requirements regarding Other Seedless varietal type raisins under the California raisin marketing order. However, three paragraphs in one subpart of the marketing order's rules and regulations were inadvertently omitted from subsequent issues of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). This document identifies the three paragraphs in the subpart that need to be reinserted into Title 7 of the CFR, Part 989.
Nectarines and Peaches Grown in California; Decreased Assessment Rates
Document Number: E7-11822
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2007-06-20
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule would decrease the assessment rates established for the Nectarine Administrative Committee and the Peach Commodity Committee (committees) for the 2007-08 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.21 to $0.06 per 25-pound container or container equivalent of nectarines and peaches handled. The committees locally administer the marketing orders that regulate the handling of nectarines and peaches grown in California. Assessments upon nectarine and peach handlers are used by the committees to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the programs. The fiscal period runs from March 1 through the last day of February. The assessment rates would remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.
Sweet Cherries Grown in Designated Counties in Washington; Decreased Assessment Rate
Document Number: E7-11820
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2007-06-20
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule would decrease the assessment rate established for the Washington Cherry Marketing Committee (Committee) for the 2007-2008 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.50 to $0.40 per ton for Washington sweet cherries handled. The Committee is responsible for local administration of the marketing order regulating the handling of sweet cherries grown in designated counties in Washington. Assessments upon handlers of sweet cherries are used by the Committee to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The fiscal period for the marketing order begins April 1 and ends March 31. The assessment rate would remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended or terminated.
Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling of Beef, Lamb, Pork, Perishable Agricultural Commodities, and Peanuts
Document Number: 07-3029
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2007-06-20
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is reopening the comment period for 60 days for the proposed rule for mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) for beef, lamb, pork, perishable agricultural commodities, and peanuts that was published in the Federal Register on October 30, 2003 (68 FR 61944). AMS requests general comments on the proposed rule taking into account that the Agency has changed corresponding definitions and requirements in the interim final rule for fish and shellfish published in the Federal Register on October 5, 2004 (69 FR 59708). When preparing comments on the proposed rule, AMS asks that interested parties consider the provisions of the interim final rule for fish and shellfish and whether the definitions and requirements in the interim final rule can also be applied to beef, lamb, pork, perishable agricultural commodities, and peanuts. The interim final rule's definitions and requirements include, but are not limited to: Processed food item definition, country of origin notification, markings, and recordkeeping requirements. All affected persons are hereby given notice of the opportunity to submit written data and views concerning the proposed rule. AMS will review and consider the submitted comments and information as it promulgates a final regulatory action for mandatory COOL for beef, lamb, pork, perishable agricultural commodities and peanut covered commodities. AMS is simultaneously reopening the comment period for the interim final rule for the mandatory COOL program for fish and shellfish covered commodities.
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