Agricultural Marketing Service September 2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
Results 1 - 14 of 14
Results of Soybean Request for Referendum
The results of the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) Request for Referendum indicate that too few soybean producers wanted a referendum on the Soybean Promotion and Research Order (Order) for one to be conducted. The Request for Referendum was conducted from May 6, 2019, through May 31, 2019, at the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Farm Service Agency county offices. To trigger a referendum, 51,501 soybean producers, 10 percent of the total nationwide soybean producers, needed to complete a valid Request for Referendum. The total number of soybean producers participating in the referendum was 794. The number of valid petitions received was 708.
Vidalia Onions Grown in Georgia; Continuance Referendum
This document directs that a referendum be conducted among eligible producers of Vidalia onions to determine whether they favor continuance of the marketing order regulating the handling of Vidalia onions produced in Georgia.
Almonds Grown in California; Amendments to Marketing Order 981
This rulemaking action amends Marketing Order No. 981, which regulates the handling of almonds grown in California. The three amendments, which were proposed by the Almond Board of California (Board), were approved by producers in a referendum. The amendments will change the dates associated with the Board's nomination process, modify the term of office start date for Board members, and add authority for future revisions to these provisions through the development of regulations using informal rulemaking.
Tomatoes Grown in Florida; Redistricting and Reapportionment of Producer Districts
This rule implements a recommendation from the Florida Tomato Committee (Committee) to redistrict and reapportion producer representation on the Committee currently prescribed under the marketing order for tomatoes grown in Florida. This action will reduce the number of districts from four to two and reapportion producer membership on the Committee to provide equitable representation from both districts.
Opportunity for Designation in the South Carolina Area
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is temporarily extending the South Carolina Department of Agriculture's (SCDA) designation as provider of Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) official services for the State of South Carolina, until December 31, 2019. AMS administers FGIS programs.
Notice of Request for Renewal of a Recordkeeping Burden; Correction
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is issuing a correction to the notice published in the Federal Register on February 20, 2019 (Vol. 84, No. 34, pages 5046-5047). The previously published notice, which informed the public of AMS's request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for renewal of a recordkeeping burden for the information collection for the Export Fruit Acts covering exports of apples and grapes, referenced an incorrect set of burden calculations. Current burden calculations are included in the Supplementary Information section below. Additional Information: Contact Andrew Hatch, Chief, Program Services Branch, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0237, Room 1406-S, Washington, DC 20250-0237; Telephone (202) 720-6862 or Email: andrew.hatch@usda.gov. Small businesses may request information on complying with the regulation and responding to this notice by contacting Richard Lower, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0237, Washington, DC 20250- 0237; Telephone: (202) 720-2491, Fax: (202) 720-8938, or Email: richard.lower@usda.gov.
Official United States Standards for Grain
The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will not pursue changes to the United States (U.S.) Standards for Corn and Soybeans under the United States Grain Standards Act (USGSA).
Softwood Lumber Research, Promotion, Consumer Education and Industry Information Order; Change in Membership, Nominations, Procedures, and Continuance Referenda Period
This rule changes the membership, nominations, procedures, and continuance referenda period for the Softwood Lumber Board (Board) established under the Softwood Lumber Research, Promotion, Consumer Education and Industry Information Order (Order). The Board administers the Order with oversight by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This action will also make administrative changes to other provisions of the Order.
Dried Prunes Produced in California; Decreased Assessment Rate
This proposed rule would implement a recommendation from the Prune Marketing Committee (Committee) to decrease the assessment rate established for the 2019-20 and subsequent crop years from $0.28 to $0.25 per ton of salable dried prunes. The assessment rate would remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.
Processed Raspberry Promotion, Research, and Information Order; Termination
This final rule terminates the Processed Raspberry Promotion, Research, and Information Order (Order) in its entirety. This action is necessary because termination of the Order was favored by a majority of the eligible producers and importers voting in a referendum conducted from September 10 through October 5, 2018.
Marketing Order Regulating the Handling of Sweet Cherries Grown in Designated Counties in Washington; Decreased Assessment Rate
This proposed rule would implement a recommendation from the Washington Cherry Marketing Committee (Committee) to decrease the assessment rate established for the 2019-2020 and subsequent fiscal periods. The assessment rate would remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.
Voluntary Grading of Meats, Prepared Meats, Meat Products, Shell Eggs, Poultry Products, and Rabbit Products
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is amending its regulations governing the voluntary grading and certification relating to meats, prepared meats, meat products, shell eggs, poultry products, and rabbit products. Amendments include changing terminology to scheduled and non-scheduled, billing of holidays, billing excessive hours over and above agreement hours, and removing the administrative volume charge. Amendments will standardize and align billing practices for services provided by the Livestock and Poultry Program.
Amendments to the Regulations Governing Meats, Prepared Meats, and Meat Products (Grading, Certification, and Standards)
This final rule informs the public that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is amending its regulations to update a number of outdated administrative and organizational references, clarify agency action as it relates to the withdrawal or denial of service, update the official shields and grademarks associated with the grading service, and make reference to the use of instrument grading equipment as a means of determining official grades on beef and lamb carcasses.
Establishment of a Milk Donation Reimbursement Program
This rule establishes the Milk Donation Reimbursement Program. Under the program, eligible dairy organizations that account to a Federal milk marketing order marketwide pool and incur qualified expenses related to certain fluid milk product donations may apply for and receive limited reimbursements to cover those expenses. A provision of the 2018 Farm Bill requires establishment of this program. The program is intended to reduce food waste and provide nutrition assistance to individuals in low-income groups.
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