Agricultural Marketing Service September 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is proposing to update the procedures for cotton futures quality classification services by using Smith-Doxey classification data in the cotton futures classification process. In addition, references to a separate and optional review of cotton futures certification would be eliminated to reflect current industry practices. These proposed changes in procedures for cotton futures quality classification services, as well as proposed conforming changes, reflect advances in cotton fiber quality measurement and data processing made since the regulations were last updated in 1992.

This rule proposes four amendments to Marketing Agreement and Order No. 983 (order), which regulates the handling of pistachios grown in California, Arizona, and New Mexico, and provides growers with the opportunity to vote in a referendum to determine if they favor the changes. The amendments are based on proposals by the Administrative Committee for Pistachios (Committee), which is responsible for local administration of the order. The amendments would provide authority to establish aflatoxin and quality regulations for pistachios shipped to export markets, including authority to establish different regulations for different markets. These amendments are intended to provide authority to ensure uniform and consistent aflatoxin and quality regulations in the domestic and various export markets.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this document 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 in support of the shell egg surveillance portion of the Regulation for the Inspection of Eggs7 CFR part 57.

This Notice invites all States of the United States of America, its territories, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, (hereinafter collectively called States) 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 National Organic Certification Cost-Share Funds. Beginning in Fiscal Year 2008, the AMS allocated $22.0 million for the national organic certification cost-share program. These funds will be allocated annually to States through cooperative agreements until exhausted. Funds are available to States interested in providing cost-share assistance to organic producers and handlers certified under the USDA Organic Regulations (7 CFR 205). States interested in obtaining cost-share funds must submit an Application for Federal Assistance and enter into a cooperative agreement with AMS for allocation of funds.