Agricultural Marketing Service February 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This rule implements a recommendation from the Cherry Industry Administrative Board (Board) to decrease the assessment rate established for the 2019-20 and subsequent fiscal years. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.

This rulemaking proposes amendments to Marketing Order No. 932, which regulates the handling of olives grown in California. The proposed amendments would change the California Olive Committee's (Committee) quorum requirements. In addition, USDA is proposing a clarifying change stating that alternate members acting as members to form a quorum would also be eligible to cast votes.

This rulemaking proposes amendments to Marketing Order No. 966, which regulates the handling of tomatoes grown in Florida. The proposed amendments would change the Florida Tomato Committee's (Committee) size, length of the terms of office, and quorum requirements.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) proposes to amend regulations on Quality Systems Verification Programs (QSVP) to clarify that all voluntary, user-fee services under this part are applicable to all commodities covered by the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (Act), as amended. Further, AMS proposes to broaden the scope of services to include all current and future AMS voluntary, user-fee audit verification and accreditation programs and services. AMS will also harmonize administrative procedures governing these services and make conforming changes as necessary in other parts of our regulations.

Notice is hereby given of a public hearing to receive evidence on proposed amendments to Federal Marketing Order No. 984 (Order) regulating the handling of walnuts grown in California. The California Walnut Board (Board), which locally administers the Order, recommended proposed amendments that would add authority for the Board to provide credit for certain market promotion expenses paid by handlers against their annual assessments due under the Order and establish requirements to effectuate the new authority. In addition, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) proposes to make changes to the Order as may be necessary to conform to any amendment that may result from the hearing.

Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is announcing a meeting of the Plant Variety Protection Board (Board). The meeting is being held to discuss a variety of topics including, but not limited to, regulation updates, subcommittee activities, and program activities. The meeting is open to the public. This notice sets forth the schedule and location for the meeting.

This document directs that a referendum be conducted among eligible growers and processors of tart cherries grown in the States of Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin to determine whether they favor continuance of the marketing order regulating the handling of tart cherries produced in the production area.