Agricultural Marketing Service November 13, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This rule invites comments on a proposed Hardwood Lumber and Hardwood Plywood Promotion, Research and Information Order (Order). Hardwood lumber and hardwood plywood are used in products like flooring, furniture, moldings, doors, and kitchen cabinets. The program would be financed by an assessment on hardwood lumber manufacturers and hardwood plywood manufacturers and would be administered by a board of industry members selected by the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary). The assessment rate varies according to the product manufactured. The purpose of the program would be to strengthen the position of hardwood lumber and hardwood plywood in the marketplace and maintain and expand markets for hardwood lumber and hardwood plywood. A referendum would be held among eligible hardwood lumber manufacturers and hardwood plywood manufacturers to determine whether they favor implementation of the program prior to it going into effect. This rule also announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intent to request approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of new information collection requirements to implement the program.

This proposed rule would increase the assessment rate established for the Citrus Administrative Committee (Committee) for the 2013-14 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.008 to $0.009 per 4/5 bushel carton of Florida citrus handled. The Committee locally administers the Federal 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 would remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.