Agricultural Marketing Service 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Plant Variety Protection Board; Open Teleconference Meeting
Document Number: 2020-28176
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-12-22
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
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.
Cotton Research and Promotion Program: Determination of Whether To Conduct a Referendum Regarding 1990 Amendments to the Cotton Research and Promotion Act
Document Number: 2020-27877
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-12-18
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This notice announces the Department's determination, based on a review by the Agricultural Marketing Service, that it is not necessary to conduct a referendum among producers and importers on continuation of the 1990 amendments to the Cotton Research and Promotion Act. The 1990 amendments require the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a review to determine whether to hold a continuance referendum. Although USDA is of the view that a referendum is not needed, it will initiate a sign-up period, as required by the Act, to allow cotton producers and importers the opportunity to request a continuance referendum.
Mycotoxin Test Kit Design Specifications and Performance Criteria
Document Number: 2020-27850
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-12-18
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) evaluates the conformance of mycotoxin test kits to AMS-established design specifications and performance criteria. Only test kits that conform to all of the AMS requirements are approved for the official testing of grains and related commodities. AMS proposes to make several changes to the existing test kit criteria to improve testing services and better facilitate domestic and international trade. AMS is seeking public comment on the proposed changes to the criteria.
Tart Cherries Grown in the States of Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin; Modification of Assessment Rate
Document Number: 2020-27563
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2020-12-16
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This proposed rule would implement a recommendation from the Cherry Industry Administrative Board (Board) to decrease the portion of assessments allocated to research and promotion activities and increase the portion allocated to administrative expenses. The overall assessment rate would remain unchanged. The proposed assessment rate would remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.
Undue and Unreasonable Preferences and Advantages Under the Packers and Stockyards Act
Document Number: 2020-27117
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-12-11
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This final rule establishes a new regulation containing criteria the Secretary of Agriculture will consider when determining whether an undue or unreasonable preference or advantage has occurred in violation of the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 (Act). A provision of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill) requires the Secretary to establish the criteria. The Act protects fair trade, financial integrity, and competitive marketing for livestock, meat, and poultry.
Walnuts Grown in California; Changes to Reporting Requirements
Document Number: 2020-26880
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-12-10
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule revises the reporting requirements prescribed under the Federal marketing order regulating the handling of walnuts grown in California. This action requires California walnut handlers to report purchase commitments (walnuts sold but not yet shipped) with domestic and foreign buyers, monthly. This change provides more accurate information about supply and demand to the industry, which also enhances marketing efforts.
Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection
Document Number: 2020-26882
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-12-08
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention to request that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approve a 3-year extension of a currently approved information collection for the ``Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements under the United States Grain Standards Act (USGSA) and under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (AMA).'' This approval is required under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA).
Designation of Amarillo Grain Exchange, Inc. To provide Class X or Class Y Weighing Services
Document Number: 2020-26881
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-12-08
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is announcing the designation of Amarillo Grain Exchange, Inc. (Amarillo) to provide Class X or Class Y weighing services under the United States Grain Standards Act (USGSA), as amended.
United States Standards for Beans
Document Number: 2020-26207
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-11-27
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
Notice is hereby given that the comment period for a notice for comment published in the Federal Register on September 29, 2020 is reopened. The publication invited comments on the revision to the method of interpretation for determining ``sample grade criteria,'' as it pertains to the class ``Blackeye beans,'' in the U.S. Standards for Beans under the United States Agricultural Marketing Act (AMA).
United States Standards for Split Peas
Document Number: 2020-25808
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-11-27
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
Notice is hereby given that the comment period for a notice for comment published in the Federal Register on September 29, 2020 is reopened. The publication invited comments on the revision to the method of interpretation for determining ``whole peas'' under the authority of the Agricultural Marketing Act (AMA).
Notice of Request for a New Collection To Populate an Agritourism Directory
Document Number: 2020-25774
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-11-24
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention to request approval of a new collection, entitled: Agritourism Directory, from the Office of Management and Budget. Upon approval, we request that this collection be merged into OMB 0581-0169, Local Food Directories and Survey, which was approved January 29, 2020.
United States Standards for Lentils
Document Number: 2020-25809
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-11-23
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
Notice is hereby given that the comment period for a notice for comment published in the Federal Register on September 29, 2020 is reopened. The publication invited comments on the revision to the method of interpretation for determining the special grade ``Green,'' as it pertains to the class ``Lentils,'' under the authority of the AMA.
Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection
Document Number: 2020-25596
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-11-19
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35)(PRA), 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 the currently approved information collection in support of the reporting and recordkeeping requirements under the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921, as amended and supplemented (P&S Act). This approval is required under the PRA.
Tart Cherries Grown in the States of Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin; Changes to Subcommittee Size and Addition of Term Limits
Document Number: 2020-24910
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-11-19
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule implements a recommendation from the Cherry Industry Administrative Board (Board) to change subcommittee size and add term limits under the marketing order for tart cherries grown in the States of Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin.
Tomatoes Grown in Florida; Amendments to the Marketing Order No. 966
Document Number: 2020-23590
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-11-16
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This final rule amends Marketing Order No. 966, which regulates the handling of Florida Tomatoes. The amendments will change the Florida Tomato Committee's (Committee) size, length of the terms of office, and quorum requirements.
Lamb Promotion, Research, and Information Order; Correction
Document Number: 2020-24754
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2020-11-09
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This document corrects the Supplementary Information to a proposed rule published in the Federal Register on October 5, 2020, regarding amendments to the Lamb Promotion, Research, and Information Order. This correction clarifies the assessment remittance process described in Examples 1 and 2 and removes the first paragraph in Example 5.
National Organic Program; Amendments to the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances per October 2018 NOSB Recommendations (Crops and Handling)
Document Number: 2020-22784
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-11-05
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This final rule amends the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List) section of the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) organic regulations. This rule adds non-organic tamarind seed gum as an allowed ingredient in organic products when certified organic tamarind seed gum is not commercially available.
U.S. Standards for Grades of Grapefruit (Texas and States Other Than Florida, California, and Arizona) and U.S. Standards for Grades of Oranges (Texas and States Other Than Florida, California, and Arizona)
Document Number: 2020-21437
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-10-29
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is revising the U.S. Standards for Grades of Grapefruit (Texas and States other than Florida, California, and Arizona) and the U.S. Standards for Grades of Oranges (Texas and States other than Florida, California, and Arizona). The revision will convert the Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) tables from showing the acceptable number of allowable defective fruit in each grade to showing the percentage of defects permitted in each grade; revise the minimum sample size to 25 fruit; update size classifications; remove references to Temple oranges from the orange standards for grade; and more closely align terminology in both grade standards with Florida and California citrus standards.
Termination of U.S. Consumer Standards
Document Number: 2020-23349
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-10-28
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposes to terminate the following 10 U.S. Consumer Standards: The U.S. Consumer Standards for Italian Sprouting Broccoli, U.S. Consumer Standards for Fresh Carrots, U.S. Consumer Standards for Celery Stalks, U.S. Consumer Standards for Husked Corn on the Cob, U.S. Consumer Standards for Fresh Kale, U.S. Consumer Standards for Fresh Spinach Leaves, U.S. Consumer Standards for Brussels Sprouts, U.S. Consumer Standards for Fresh Parsnips, U.S. Consumer Standards for Fresh Turnips, and U.S. Consumer Standards for Beet Greens. This proposed action is part of USDA's work to eliminate regulations that are outdated, unnecessary, ineffective, or impose costs that exceed benefits.
Avocados Grown in South Florida; Continuance Referendum
Document Number: 2020-23348
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2020-10-27
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This document directs that a referendum be conducted among eligible growers of avocados grown in South Florida to determine whether they favor continuance of the marketing order regulating the handling of avocados produced in the production area.
United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Corn on the Cob
Document Number: 2020-23220
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-10-21
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) is soliciting comments on its proposal to revise the U.S. Standards for Grades of Frozen Corn on the Cob (July 27, 1970). AMS is proposing to replace the two-term grading system (dual nomenclature) with a single term to describe each quality level in the grade standards. Terms using the letter grade would be retained and the descriptive term would be eliminated. Editorial changes would also be made to the grade standards that conform to recent changes made in other grade standards, returning previously omitted headers and language, and adding language to bring the standards up to date with current industry practices. These changes would bring the grade standards in line with the present quality levels being marketed today and provide guidance in the effective use of these products.
Walnuts Grown in California; Secretary's Decision and Referendum Order on Amendments to Marketing Order No. 984
Document Number: 2020-22334
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2020-10-20
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This decision proposes amendments to Marketing Order No. 984 (Order), which regulates the handling of walnuts grown in California and provides growers with the opportunity to vote in a referendum to determine if they favor the changes. 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) proposed to make any such changes as may be necessary to conform to any amendment that may result from the public hearing.
Pears Grown in Oregon and Washington; Modification of the Handling Regulation
Document Number: 2020-22169
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2020-10-19
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This proposed rule would modify the handling regulation prescribed under the marketing order for pears grown in Oregon and Washington (Order). This action would decrease the maximum acceptable pressure for early season Beurre D'Anjou (Anjou) variety pears shipped throughout the Continental United States and to Canada. In addition, this rule would remove the handling requirement exemption for small shipments of Anjou pears.
Domestic Hemp Production Program, Request for Approval of a New Information Collection
Document Number: 2020-22924
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-10-16
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) invites public comments about our intention to request Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for a new information collection to collect data on hemp production through a producer survey. This survey is necessary to identify data in the emerging hemp industry and for administering the domestic hemp program.
Revisions to the Federal Seed Act Regulations; Correction
Document Number: 2020-20397
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-10-15
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
On July 7, 2020, the Agricultural Marketing Service amended regulations under the Federal Seed Act. The document incorrectly revised the entries for ``Oat'' and ``Brussels Sprouts'' in the table that specifies directions for germination and hard seed testing. This document corrects those entries.
Irish Potatoes Grown in Washington; Suspension of Reporting and Assessment Requirements
Document Number: 2020-20787
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2020-10-13
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This proposed rule invites comments on a recommendation from the State of Washington Potato Committee (Committee) to suspend the reporting and assessment requirements prescribed under the marketing order regulating Irish Potatoes grown in Washington (Order). In a separate action, the Committee also unanimously recommended terminating Marketing Order No. 946. This rule would indefinitely suspend the reporting and assessment requirements of the Order during the period that USDA is processing the termination request.
Oranges, Grapefruit, Tangerines, and Pummelos Grown in Florida; Continuance Referendum
Document Number: 2020-20745
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2020-10-06
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This document directs that a referendum be conducted among eligible producers of oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and pummelos grown in Florida to determine whether they favor continuance of the marketing order regulating the handling of oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and pummelos produced in the production area.
Amendments to Quality Systems Verification Programs and Conforming Changes
Document Number: 2020-19655
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-10-06
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This final rule revises regulations for Quality Systems Verification Programs (QSVP). The revisions 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, the revisions broaden the scope of services defined in part 62 to include all current and future AMS voluntary, user-fee audit verification and accreditation programs and services. Finally, the revisions harmonize administrative procedures governing these services and make conforming changes to other agency regulations.
Egg Research and Promotion; Reapportionment
Document Number: 2020-19431
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-10-06
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This final rule adjusts representation on the American Egg Board (Board), and outlines changes to geographic areas based on sustained changes in egg production in several States. The Egg Research and Promotion Order (Order) establishes a Board composed of 18 members. Currently, the 48 contiguous States are divided into six areas with three members representing each area. This final rule reduces the number of geographic areas from six to three. The number of Board members representing each geographic area changes to six. The total Board membership remains at 18.
Pistachios Grown in California, Arizona, and New Mexico; Increased Assessment Rate
Document Number: 2020-21687
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2020-10-05
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This proposed rule would implement a recommendation from the Administrative Committee for Pistachios (Committee) to increase the assessment rate established for the 2020-21 and subsequent production years. The proposed assessment rate would remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.
Lamb Promotion, Research, and Information Order; Activity Changes
Document Number: 2020-20523
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2020-10-05
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
AMS solicits comments on proposed amendments to the Lamb Promotion, Research, and Information Order (Order). These amendments would require market agencies (e.g. commission merchant, auction market, livestock market) in the business of receiving lambs to collect and remit on behalf of the producer, feeder, or seedstock producer, the ``live-weight'' assessment on ovine animals sold and the ``price-per- head'' assessment owed by the first handler when lambs are sold through these channels. Market agencies would remit the full assessment to the American Lamb Board (Board) when ovine animals are sold. This proposed rule would also make technical amendments to the Order, correcting references to assessment rates that were inadvertently not updated during the previous amendment to the Order.
Cotton Board Rules and Regulations: Adjusting Supplemental Assessment on Imports (2020 Amendments)
Document Number: 2020-19373
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-10-05
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is amending the Cotton Board Rules and Regulations, decreasing the value assigned to imported cotton for the purposes of calculating supplemental assessments collected for use by the Cotton Research and Promotion Program. This amendment is required each year to ensure that assessments collected on imported cotton and the cotton content of imported products will be the same as those paid on domestically produced cotton. In addition, AMS is updating the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) statistical reporting numbers that were amended since the last assessment adjustment in 2019.
Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection
Document Number: 2020-21686
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-10-01
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 the currently approved information collection used to compile and generate the Federally Inspected Estimated Daily Slaughter Report. Upon approval of this information collection, AMS will request approval from the OMB to merge this collection, ``Plan for Estimating Daily Livestock Slaughter Under Federal Inspection'' (OMB 0581-0050), with the currently approved information collection titled ``Livestock, Poultry, and Grain Market News'' (OMB 0186-0033). Both collections are directed and authorized by the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621-1627), and rely on voluntary cooperation with the livestock industry to collect and disseminate marketing information, utilizing the same information gathering tactics.
United States Standards for Beans
Document Number: 2020-21436
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-29
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is proposing a revision to the method of interpretation for determining ``sample grade criteria,'' in the Bean Inspection Handbook, as it pertains to the class ``Blackeye beans,'' in the U.S. Standards for Beans under the United States Agricultural Marketing Act (AMA). Stakeholders in the dry bean processing/handling industry requested that AMS amend the definition of sample grade in the Blackeye bean inspection instructions by revising the unit of measurement for the factor Insect Webbing or Filth and removing clean-cut weevil-bore as a sample grade factor. Clean-cut weevil-bore will be considered a damage factor only. To ensure that the Blackeye bean class standard remains relevant, AMS invites interested parties to comment on whether revising the inspection instructions facilitate the marketing of Blackeye beans. This action does not revise or amend the Grade and Grade Requirements for the class Blackeye Beans in the U.S. Standard for Beans.
United States Standards for Lentils
Document Number: 2020-21435
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-29
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is proposing a revision to the method of interpretation for the determining the special grade ``Green,'' in the Pea and Lentil Inspection Handbook, as it pertains to the class ``Lentils,'' in the U.S. Standards for Lentils under the United States Agricultural Marketing Act (AMA). Stakeholders in the lentil processing/handling industry requested AMS to amend the definition of the special grade ``Green'' to allow for the inclusion of mottled lentils. To ensure that the Lentil standards remain relevant, AMS invites interested parties to comment on whether revising the inspection instructions facilitate the marketing of Lentils. This action will revise or amend the Grade and Grade Requirements for Lentils in the U.S. Standard for Lentils.
United States Standards for Split Peas
Document Number: 2020-21434
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-29
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is proposing a revision to the method of interpretation for determining ``whole peas,'' in the Pea and Lentil Inspection Handbook, as it pertains to the class ``Split Peas,'' in the U.S. Standards for Split Peas under the United States Agricultural Marketing Act (AMA). Stakeholders in the pea processing/ handling industry requested AMS to amend the interpretation of whole peas in the Split Pea inspection instructions by increasing the percent requirement for the factor whole peas. To ensure that the Split Pea class standard remains relevant, AMS invites interested parties to comment on whether revising the inspection instruction facilitates the marketing of Split Peas. This action does not revise or amend the Grade and Grade Requirements for the class Split Peas in the U.S. Standard for Split Peas.
Pecan Research, Promotion, and Information Order
Document Number: 2020-19031
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2020-09-22
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This proposal invites comments on the establishment of the Pecan Research, Promotion, and Information Order (Order). The purpose of the program would be to strengthen the position of pecans in the marketplace, maintain and expand markets for pecans, and develop new uses for pecans. The program would be financed by an assessment on pecan producers and importers. This proposal also invites comments on the procedures for conducting a referendum to determine whether the continuation of the proposed Order is favored by domestic producers and importers of pecans. In addition, this proposal 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.
National Organic Program (NOP); Final Decision on Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices Rule and Summary of Comments on the Economic Analysis Report
Document Number: 2020-19939
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-09-17
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
On April 23, 2020, the United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) published the Economic Analysis Report related to the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices final rule (OLPP Rule), published on January 19, 2017, and the final rule withdrawing the OLPP Rule (Withdrawal Rule), published on March 13, 2018. AMS sought comment to evaluate the analysis in the Economic Analysis Report and to decide whether additional action should be taken in regard to the OLPP Rule. The public comment process for the Economic Analysis Report is being conducted consistent with an Order of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, which granted USDA's Motion to Remand a legal challenge to the Withdrawal Rule for purposes of clarifying and supplementing the record regarding the economic analysis underlying both the OLPP Rule and the Withdrawal Rule. (See Organic Trade Association v. USDA; Civil Action No. 17-1875 (RMC) (March 12, 2020), ECF No. 112). After reviewing the Economic Analysis Report and the public comments on it, AMS is issuing this Final Decision concluding that no additional rulemaking action with respect to the OLPP Rule is necessary.
Watermelon Research and Promotion Plan; Realignment
Document Number: 2020-17581
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-09-14
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule realigns the representation on the National Watermelon Promotion Board (Board) under the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) regulations regarding a national research and promotion program for watermelons. This rule reduces the number of production districts and the number of importers on the Board, accordingly. This rule also makes administrative changes to other provisions of the Watermelon Research and Promotion Plan (Plan).
Establishment of a Domestic Hemp Production Program; Comment Period Reopened
Document Number: 2020-17659
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-09-08
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is providing an additional thirty (30) days for public comments on the interim final rule (IFR) that established the Domestic Hemp Production Program on October 31, 2019. Reopening the comment period gives interested persons an additional opportunity to comment on the IFR. Comments are solicited from all stakeholders, notably those who were subject to the regulatory requirements of the IFR during the 2020 production cycle.
Onions Grown in South Texas; Continuance Referendum
Document Number: 2020-17578
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2020-09-08
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This document directs that a referendum be conducted among eligible producers of onions grown in South Texas to determine whether they favor continuance of the marketing order regulating the handling of onions produced in the production area.
Oranges, Grapefruit, Tangerines, and Pummelos Grown in Florida; Establishment of Reporting Requirements and New Information Collection
Document Number: 2020-17576
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-09-08
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule implements a recommendation from the Citrus Administrative Committee (Committee) to establish reporting requirements under the Federal marketing order for oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and pummelos grown in Florida. This action requires Florida citrus handlers who handle citrus grown within the production area to register with the Committee.
Paper and Paper-Based Packaging Promotion, Research and Information Order; Continuance Referendum
Document Number: 2020-17547
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2020-09-03
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This document directs that a referendum be conducted among eligible domestic manufacturers and importers of paper and paper-based packaging to determine whether they favor continuance of the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) regulations regarding a national paper and paper-based packaging research and promotion program.
Meeting of the National Organic Standards Board
Document Number: 2020-17365
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-01
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is announcing a meeting of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). The NOSB assists the USDA in the development of standards for substances to be used in organic production and advises the Secretary of Agriculture on any other aspects of the implementation of the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA).
Walnuts Grown in California; Changes to Reporting Requirements
Document Number: 2020-17125
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2020-08-25
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This proposed rule would implement a recommendation from the California Walnut Board (Board) to change the reporting requirements prescribed under the Federal marketing order regulating the handling of walnuts grown in California. This action would require California walnut handlers to report purchase commitments (walnuts sold but not yet shipped) with domestic and foreign buyers on a monthly basis. This action should provide more accurate information about supply and demand to industry, which would also enhance marketing efforts.
Mango Promotion, Research and Information Order; Continuance Referendum
Document Number: 2020-16295
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2020-08-18
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This document directs that a referendum be conducted among eligible first handlers and importers of mangos to determine whether they favor continuance of the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) regulations regarding a national mango research and promotion program and whether frozen mangos continue to be covered under the program.
Designation for the Cedar Rapids, Iowa Area
Document Number: 2020-17851
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-08-14
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is announcing the designation of Mid-Iowa Grain Inspection, Inc. (Mid-Iowa), to provide official services under the United States Grain Standards Act (USGSA), as amended.
Softwood Lumber Research, Promotion, Consumer Education and Industry Information Order; Assessment Rate Increase
Document Number: 2020-16554
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2020-08-13
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This proposal invites comments on amending the Softwood Lumber Research, Promotion, Consumer Education and Industry Information Order (Order) to increase the assessment rate from $0.35 to $0.41 per thousand board feet (mbf). The Order is administered by the Softwood Lumber Board (Board) with oversight by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Under the program, assessments are collected from domestic manufacturers and importers and used for research and promotion projects designed to strengthen the position of softwood lumber in the marketplace. This proposal would also add the conversion factor for square meters to board feet and make one conforming change.
Walnuts Grown in California; Recommended Decision and Opportunity To File Written Exceptions
Document Number: 2020-15135
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2020-08-05
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This recommended decision proposes amendments to Marketing Order No. 984 (Order), which regulates the handling of walnuts grown in California. The proposed amendments are based on the record of a public hearing held via videoconference technology on April 20 and 21, 2020. 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) proposed to make any such changes as may be necessary to conform to any amendment that may result from the public hearing.
National Dairy Promotion and Research Program; National Dairy Promotion and Research Board Importer Representation
Document Number: 2020-15134
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-08-05
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This document maintains the number of National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (Dairy Board) importer members at one member, as is stated in the Dairy Promotion and Research Order (Dairy Order). The Dairy Order requires that at least once every three years, after the initial appointment of importer members on the Dairy Board, the Secretary shall review the average volume of domestic production of dairy products compared to the average volume of imports of dairy products into the United States during the previous three years and, on the basis of that review, if warranted, reapportion the importer representation on the Dairy Board to reflect the proportional shares of the United States market served by domestic production and imported dairy products.
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