Agricultural Marketing Service April 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
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Irish Potatoes Grown in Certain Designated Counties in Idaho, and Malheur County, Oregon; Modification of Handling Regulations
This proposed rule invites comments on a recommendation from the Idaho-Eastern Oregon Potato Committee (Committee) to revise the size requirements for Irish potatoes grown in certain designated counties of Idaho, and Malheur County, Oregon. The Committee recommended this action to improve the handling and marketing of Idaho- Eastern Oregon potatoes and increase returns to producers.
United States Standards for Beans-Chickpeas
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is proposing to add a new criterionCotyledon Damageto the chickpea/garbanzo bean damage factors in the Bean Inspection Handbook. The damage factors pertain to the class Chickpea/ Garbanzo Beans in the U.S. Standards for Beans under the United States Agricultural Marketing Act (AMA). Stakeholders in the bean processing/ handling industry suggested adding a criterion related to white chalky or wafer-like spots in the cotyledon, which can affect chickpea/ garbanzo bean flavor. This proposal is intended to update inspection procedures to ensure that the bean standards remain relevant to the market. AMS invites interested parties to comment on whether revising the inspection instructions to include the additional damage factor would facilitate the marketing of chickpea/garbanzo beans. This action would not revise or amend the Grade and Grade Requirements for Chickpea/Garbanzo Beans in the U.S. Standards for Beans.
Grain Inspection Advisory Committee Meeting
Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, this constitutes notice of the upcoming meeting of the Grain Inspection Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee). The Advisory Committee meets no less than once annually to advise the Secretary on the programs and services delivered by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) under the U.S. Grain Standards Act. Recommendations by the Advisory Committee help AMS meet the needs of its customers, who operate in a dynamic and changing marketplace.
Supply Chains for the Production of Agricultural Commodities and Food Products
On February 24, 2021, President Biden issued an Executive Order on ``America's Supply Chains,'' which directs several Federal agency actions to secure and strengthen America's supply chains. One of these directions is for the Secretary of Agriculture (the Secretary) to submit, within one year, a report to the President that assesses the supply chains for the production of agricultural commodities and food products. This notice requests comments and information from the public to assist the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in preparing the report required by the Executive Order. Through this notice, USDA is also requesting public comment to inform our thinking regarding how stimulus relief programs and spending related to food supply chain resilience as authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA), and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) can help to increase durability and resilience within the U.S. food supply.
2021/2022 Rates Charged for AMS Services
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is announcing the 2021/2022 rates it will charge for voluntary grading, inspection, certification, auditing, and laboratory services for a variety of agricultural commodities including meat and poultry, fruits and vegetables, eggs, dairy products, rice, and cotton and tobacco. The 2021/2022 regular, overtime, holiday, and laboratory services rates will be applied at the beginning of the crop year, fiscal year or as required by law depending on the commodity. Other starting dates are added to this notice based on cotton industry practices. This action establishes the rates for user-funded programs based on costs incurred by AMS. This year, nearly two-thirds of AMS user fee rates will remain unchanged from the previous year and a few will decrease, but increases are necessary to many fees to cover costs.
United States Standards for Wheat
The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking comments from the public regarding the United States Standards for Wheat under the United States Grain Standards Act (USGSA). To ensure that standards and official grading practices remain relevant, AMS invites interested parties to comment on whether the current wheat standards and grading practices need to be changed.
Cotton Research and Promotion Program: Procedures for Conduct of Sign-Up Period
This direct final rule amends the rules and regulations regarding the procedures for the conduct of a sign-up period for eligible cotton producers and importers to request a continuance referendum on the 1991 amendments to the Cotton Research and Promotion Order (Order) provided for in the Cotton Research and Promotion Act (Act) amendments of 1990. The amendments update various dates, name changes, addresses, and make other administrative changes.
Tart Cherries Grown in the States of Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin; Modification of Assessment Rate
This rule implements 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 remains unchanged. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.
Marketing Order Regulating the Handling of Spearmint Oil Produced in the Far West; Salable Quantities and Allotment Percentages for the 2021-2022 Marketing Year
This proposed rule invites comments on a recommendation from the Far West Spearmint Oil Administrative Committee (Committee) to establish salable quantities and allotment percentages for Class 1 (Scotch) and Class 3 (Native) spearmint oil produced in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and designated parts of Nevada and Utah (the Far West) for the 2021-2022 marketing year.
Termination of U.S. Consumer Standards
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) is terminating 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 action is part of USDA's work to eliminate regulations that are outdated, unnecessary, ineffective, or impose costs that exceed benefits.
Tomatoes Grown in Florida; Modification of Handling Requirements; Withdrawal
The U.S. Department of Agriculture withdraws a proposed rule recommended by the Florida Tomato Committee (Committee) to revise the exemption, container, and definition sections under the Marketing Order's handling requirements and to update language to reflect current industry practices. After reviewing and considering the comments received, the proposed rule is being withdrawn.
Soybean Promotion and Research: Adjusting Representation on the United Soybean Board
This proposed rule would adjust the number of members on the United Soybean Board (Board) to reflect changes in production levels that have occurred since the Board was last reapportioned in 2018. As required by the Soybean Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act (Act), membership on the Board is reviewed every 3 years and adjustments are made accordingly. This proposed change would result in a decrease in Board membership for one State, decreasing the total number of Board members from 78 to 77. These changes would be reflected in the Soybean Promotion and Research Order (Order) and would be effective with the Secretary of Agriculture's (Secretary) appointments for terms in the year 2022. This proposed rule would also correct the number of States and units to the Order. Technical corrections to the regulations would adjust the number of States and units from 30 to 31.
Pecans Grown in the States of Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas; Continuance Referendum
This document directs that a referendum be conducted among eligible growers of pecans grown in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas to determine whether they favor continuance of the marketing order regulating the handling of pecans produced in the production area.
Revision of a Currently Approved Collection
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), for a revision of a currently approved collection for the Regulations Governing the Inspection and Grading of Manufactured or Processed Dairy ProductsRecordkeeping (Subpart B).
Olives Grown in California; Increased Assessment Rate
This proposed rule would implement a recommendation from the California Olive Committee (Committee) to increase the assessment rate established for the 2021 and subsequent fiscal years. The proposed assessment rate would remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.
Notice of Intent To Request To Conduct a New Information Collection-Generic Clearance
This notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to conduct a new collection for surveys conducted by the Transportation and Marketing Program Marketing Services Division funded through cooperative agreements with various cooperators (other Federal agencies, State governments, land grant universities, and other organizations). AMS works with universities and other entities to research market access issues related to local and regional food systems. Surveys are a vital tool to help determine where to focus our research, as well as where we should encourage or initiate original research to support the sector. This generic clearance will allow AMS to conduct surveys with cooperating institutions in a timely manner.
Request for Approval of a New Information Collection for Accounts Payable Information Request
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), for a new information collection used in support of the voluntary grading and certification of meat, meat products, shell eggs, poultry products, rabbit products, and Quality Systems Verification Programs. One new form is introduced in this information collection. The new form, LP-109A requests respondents accounts payable contact information used in facilitating billing administration.
National Organic Standards Board (NOSB): Call for Nominations
The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) was established to assist in the development of standards for substances to be used in organic production and to advise the Secretary on the implementation of the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (OFPA). Through this Notice, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing its call for nominations to fill four vacancies. Descriptions of the four positions are listed below under supplementary information. Appointees will serve a 5-year term beginning January 24, 2022, and ending January 23, 2027. Additionally, USDA seeks nominations for a pool of candidates that the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) can draw upon as replacement appointees if unexpected vacancies occur.
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