Agricultural Marketing Service – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Results 701 - 750 of 2,748
Pistachios Grown in California, Arizona, and New Mexico; Decreased Assessment Rate
Document Number: 2018-05144
Type: Rule
Date: 2018-03-14
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Department of Agriculture adopts as final, without change, an interim rule that implemented a recommendation from the Administrative Committee for Pistachios (Committee) to decrease the assessment rate established for the 2017-18 and subsequent production years and administrative revisions to the subpart headings to bring the language into conformance with the Office of Federal Register requirements.
Honey Packers and Importers Research, Promotion, Consumer Education and Industry Information Order; Change in Producer Eligibility Requirements and Implementation of Charges for Past Due Assessments
Document Number: 2018-05063
Type: Rule
Date: 2018-03-14
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule revises the eligibility requirements for producer representatives on the Honey Packers and Importers Board (Board) and prescribes late payment and interest charges on past due assessments under the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) regulation regarding a national research and promotion program for honey and honey products. This rule reduces the minimum production requirement for producers to serve on the Board and thereby allow more producers to be eligible to serve on the Board. This rule also prescribes late payment and interest charges on past due assessments to help facilitate program administration.
National Organic Program (NOP); Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices
Document Number: 2018-05029
Type: Rule
Date: 2018-03-13
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This final rule withdraws the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices final rule published in the Federal Register on January 19, 2017, by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service. The existing organic livestock and poultry regulations remain effective.
Onions Grown in South Texas; Proposed Amendment to Marketing Order 959
Document Number: 2018-04076
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2018-03-01
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This proposed rule invites comments on a proposed amendment to Marketing Order No. 959, which regulates the handling of onions grown in south Texas. The proposed amendment would reduce the size of the South Texas Onion Committee (Committee) and make conforming and clarifying amendments as needed. The amendment would adjust the number of handlers and producers on the Committee to reflect a decrease in the number of onion producers and handlers in recent years.
Grapes Grown in a Designated Area of Southeastern California; Decreased Assessment Rate
Document Number: 2018-04010
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2018-03-01
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This proposed rule would implement a recommendation from the California Desert Grape Administrative Committee (Committee) to decrease the assessment rate established for the 2018 fiscal period and subsequent fiscal periods. This proposed rule also makes administrative revisions to the subpart headings to bring the language into conformance with the Office of Federal Register requirements.
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; Establishment of Reporting Requirements and New Information Collection
Document Number: 2018-03500
Type: Rule
Date: 2018-02-21
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule implements a recommendation made by the American Pecan Council (Council) to establish reporting requirements under the Federal marketing order for pecans (Order). These reporting requirements will enable collection of information from handlers on: Pecans received; pecans purchased outside the United States; shipments and inventory of pecans; pecans exported by country of destination; and pecans exported for shelling and returned to the United States. This information will be used to provide important statistical reports to the industry, meet requirements under the Order, and to help guide future marketing efforts.
Cranberries Grown in States of Massachusetts, et al.; Establishment of Handler Diversion and Reporting Requirements and New Information Collection
Document Number: 2018-02441
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2018-02-15
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This proposed rule invites comments on the establishment of handler diversion and reporting requirements as recommended by the Cranberry Marketing Committee (Committee). This proposal would establish the procedures handlers would use to divert fruit through disposal or into noncompetitive outlets. The reporting requirements would support the diversion procedures by providing the necessary documentation to help ensure compliance when a volume regulation is established. This proposal also announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of a new information collection.
Softwood Lumber Research, Promotion, Consumer Education and Industry Information Order; Continuance Referendum
Document Number: 2018-02485
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2018-02-12
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This document directs that a referendum be conducted among eligible domestic (U.S.) manufacturers and importers of softwood lumber to determine whether they favor continuance of the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) regulations regarding a national softwood lumber research and promotion program.
Proposed California Federal Milk Marketing Order
Document Number: 2018-02386
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2018-02-06
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This document announces a delay of the California Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) rulemaking proceeding and the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention to await the U.S. Supreme Court decision on a related legal matter prior to proceeding further with this rulemaking.
Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA): Guidance on Growers' Trust Protection Eligibility and Clarification of “Written Notification”
Document Number: 2018-02066
Type: Rule
Date: 2018-02-06
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), is amending the regulations under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA or Act) to enhance clarity and improve the administration and enforcement of the PACA. The revisions will provide greater direction to the industry as to how growers and other principals that employ selling agents may preserve their PACA trust rights. The revisions will also clarify the definition of ``written notification'' as the term is used in 6(b) of the PACA, and the jurisdiction of USDA to investigate alleged PACA violations.
Marketing Order Regulating the Handling of Spearmint Oil Produced in the Far West; Revision of the Salable Quantity and Allotment Percentage for Class 3 (Native) Spearmint Oil for the 2017-2018 Marketing Year
Document Number: 2018-02264
Type: Rule
Date: 2018-02-05
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule implements a recommendation from the Far West Spearmint Oil Administrative Committee (Committee) to revise the quantity of Class 3 (Native) spearmint oil that handlers may purchase from, or handle on behalf of, producers during the 2017-2018 marketing year, which began on June 1, 2017. This rule increases the Native spearmint oil salable quantity and the allotment percentage. This rule also contains formatting changes to subpart references to bring the language into conformance with the Office of Federal Register requirements.
Watermelon Research and Promotion Plan; Redistricting and Importer Representation
Document Number: 2018-01802
Type: Rule
Date: 2018-01-31
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule realigns the production districts for producer and handler membership 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 also adds four importer seats to the Board. These changes were recommended by the Board after a review of the production volume in each district as well as assessments paid by importers. This action is necessary to provide for the equitable representation of producers, handlers, and importers on the Board.
Apricots Grown in Designated Counties in Washington; Decreased Assessment Rate
Document Number: 2018-01801
Type: Rule
Date: 2018-01-31
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final rule an interim rule that implemented a recommendation from the Washington Apricot Marketing Committee (Committee) to decrease the assessment rate established for the 2017-2018 and subsequent fiscal periods. The interim rule was necessary to allow the Committee to reduce its financial reserve while still providing adequate funding to meet program expenses. This final rule also makes administrative revisions to the subpart headings to bring the language into conformance with the Office of Federal Register requirements.
United States Standards for Grades of Pork Carcasses
Document Number: 2018-00627
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-01-17
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is reopening the comment period on the notice requesting comments on revisions to the United States Standards for Grades of Pork Carcasses (pork standards) published in the Federal Register (82 FR 48971) on October 23, 2017. The comment period for this notice closed on December 22, 2017. The revisions are intended to modernize the standards and meet stakeholder demands by segregating the population of commodity pork products into uniform groups (of similar quality, value, etc.) that can facilitate the production and marketing of pork and deliver certain eating expectations for the consumer.
National Organic Program; Amendments to the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (Crops, Livestock and Handling)
Document Number: 2017-28172
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2018-01-17
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This proposed rule would amend the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List) provisions of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) organic regulations to implement recommendations submitted to the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) by the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). This rule proposes to change the use restrictions for seventeen substances allowed for organic production or handling on the National List: Micronutrients; chlorhexidine; parasiticides; fenbendazole; moxidectin; xylazine; lidocaine; procaine; methionine; excipients; alginic acid; flavors; carnauba wax; chlorine; cellulose; colors; and, glycerin. This rule also proposes to add sixteen new substances on the National List to be allowed in organic production or handling: Hypochlorous acid; magnesium oxide; squid byproducts; activated charcoal; calcium borogluconate; calcium propionate; injectable vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes; kaolin pectin; mineral oil; propylene glycol; acidified sodium chlorite; zinc sulfate; potassium lactate; and, sodium lactate. In addition, this proposed rule would list the botanical pesticide, rotenone, as a prohibited substance in organic crop production. Finally, this proposed rule would remove ivermectin as an allowed parasiticide for use in organic livestock production.
Meeting of the National Organic Standards Board
Document Number: 2017-28170
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2018-01-17
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) to assist the USDA in the development of standards for substances to be used in organic production and to advise the Secretary of Agriculture on any other aspects of the implementation of the Organic Foods Production Act.
Pears Grown in Oregon and Washington; Increased Assessment Rate for Processed Pears
Document Number: 2017-28505
Type: Rule
Date: 2018-01-05
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule implements a recommendation from the Processed Pear Committee (Committee) to increase the assessment rate established for the 2017-2018 and subsequent fiscal periods from $7.00 to $8.00 per ton of ``summer/fall'' pears for canning. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated. This rule also makes administrative revisions to the subpart headings to bring the language into conformance with the Office of Federal Register requirements.
Onions Grown in South Texas; Increased Assessment Rate
Document Number: 2017-28504
Type: Rule
Date: 2018-01-05
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule implements a recommendation from the South Texas Onion Committee (Committee) to increase the assessment rate established for the 2017-18 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.05 to $0.065 per 50-pound equivalent of onions handled under the Marketing Order (Order). The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.
Cranberries Grown in States of Massachusetts, et al.; Free and Restricted Percentages for the 2017-18 Crop Year for Cranberries
Document Number: 2017-28169
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2018-01-02
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This proposed rule invites comments on a recommendation to establish free and restricted percentages for the 2017-18 crop year under the marketing order for cranberries grown in the production area (Order). This action would establish the proportion of cranberries from the 2017-18 crop which may be handled and allow for the disposal of 2017-18 processed cranberry products. It would also establish a minimum quantity exemption and an exemption for handlers with no carryover inventory, exempt organically grown cranberries, and define outlets for restricted fruit. This action would adjust supply to more closely meet market demand, improve grower and handler returns and reduce inventory. This proposal also contains a formatting change to subpart references to bring the language into conformance with the Office of Federal Register requirements.
Tart Cherries Grown in the States of Michigan, et al.; Revision of Exemption Requirements
Document Number: 2017-28167
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2018-01-02
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This proposed rule would implement a recommendation from the Cherry Industry Administrative Board (Board) to revise the exemption provisions under the Marketing Order for tart cherries (Order). This rule changes the number of years that new product, new market development, and market expansion projects are eligible for handler diversion credit. This action would also permit handlers to apply for previously awarded projects if the original handler has not begun the project within a year of approval, and provides an expedited approval option for some market expansion activities. These changes are intended to encourage handlers to participate in new product, new market and market expansion activities, expand demand, and make the approval process more efficient. This proposal also contains a formatting change to subpart references to bring the language into conformance with the Office of Federal Register requirements.
Hazelnuts Grown in Oregon and Washington; Increased Assessment Rate
Document Number: 2017-28171
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-12-29
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule implements a recommendation from the Hazelnut Marketing Board (Board) to increase the assessment rate established for the 2017-2018 and subsequent marketing years from $0.005 to $0.006 per pound of hazelnuts handled under the Marketing Order (Order). The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.
Honey Packers and Importers Research, Promotion, Consumer Education and Industry Information Order; Change in Producer Eligibility Requirements and Implementation of Charges for Past Due Assessments
Document Number: 2017-27526
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2017-12-22
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This proposal invites comments on revising the eligibility requirements for producer representatives on the Honey Packers and Importers Board (Board) and prescribing late payment and interest charges on past due assessments under the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) regulation regarding a national research and promotion program for honey and honey products. The Board administers the regulations with oversight by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This proposal would reduce the minimum production requirement for producers to serve on the Board from 150,000 to 50,000 pounds annually and thereby allow more producers to be eligible to serve on the Board. This proposal would also prescribe late payment and interest charges on past due assessments to help facilitate program administration. Both of these actions were unanimously recommended by the Board.
Rules of Practice and Procedures To Formulate or Amend a Marketing Agreement or a Marketing Order, or Certain Research and Promotion Orders; Correction
Document Number: 2017-27401
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-12-20
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This document contains a correction to the final rule which was published on December 11, 2017. In the final rule, the Regulatory Information Number (RIN) appears as RIN 0581-AD74. This number is incorrect. The correct number is 0581-AD76. This document corrects the final rule.
National Organic Program (NOP); Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices-Withdrawal
Document Number: 2017-27316
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2017-12-18
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This proposed rule sets forth the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA or Department) intention to withdraw the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices (OLPP) final rule published in the Federal Register on January 19, 2017, by USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). The OLPP final rule amends the organic livestock and poultry production requirements in the USDA organic regulations by adding new provisions for livestock handling and transport for slaughter and avian living conditions; and expands and clarifies existing requirements covering livestock care and production practices and mammalian living conditions. The OLPP final rule was originally set to take effect on March 20, 2017. The effective date has been extended to May 14, 2018 under separate actions.
Designation for the Aberdeen, South Dakota; Hastings, Nebraska; and Missouri Areas
Document Number: 2017-27061
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-15
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
AMS is announcing the designations of Aberdeen Grain Inspection, Inc. (Aberdeen); Hastings Grain Inspection, Inc. (Hastings); and the Missouri Department of Agriculture (Missouri) to provide official services under the United States Grain Standards Act (USGSA), as amended. The realignment of offices within the U.S. Department of Agriculture authorized by the Secretary's Memorandum dated November 14, 2017, eliminates the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyard Administration (GIPSA) as a standalone agency. The grain inspection activities formerly part of GIPSA are now organized under the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).
Rules of Practice and Procedures To Formulate or Amend a Marketing Agreement, a Marketing Order, or Certain Research and Promotion Orders
Document Number: 2017-26718
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-12-11
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting a final rule to amend the definition of ``judge'' in the rules of practice and procedure to formulate or amend a marketing agreement, marketing order, or certain research and promotion orders. The new definition adds a presiding official appointed by the Secretary, as well as an administrative law judge, as an official who may preside over the rulemaking hearing.
Milk in the Florida Marketing Area; Supplemental Notification of Hearing
Document Number: 2017-26717
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2017-12-11
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
A public hearing is being held, on an emergency basis, to consider a proposal submitted by Southeast Milk, Inc., Dairy Farmers of America, Inc., Premier Milk, Inc., Maryland and Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association, Inc., and Lone Star Milk Producers, L.C. This supplemental notice extends the hearing from December 12, 2017, through December 14, 2017, in order to provide adequate public notification.
Milk in the Florida Marketing Area; Notification of Hearing
Document Number: 2017-26632
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2017-12-11
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
A public hearing is being held, on an emergency basis, to consider a proposal submitted by Southeast Milk, Inc., Dairy Farmers of America, Inc., Premier Milk, Inc., Maryland and Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association, Inc., and Lone Star Milk Producers, L.C. The proposal seeks a temporary supplemental charge on Class I milk to provide emergency reimbursement to handlers and producers for costs incurred as a result of market disruptions stemming from Hurricane Irma in September 2017 which caused extensive damage in the United States.
Tomatoes Grown in Florida; Decreased Assessment Rate
Document Number: 2017-26373
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2017-12-11
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This proposed rule would implement a recommendation from the Florida Tomato Committee (Committee) for a decrease in the assessment rate established for the 2017-18 and subsequent fiscal periods of tomatoes grown in Florida, handled under the marketing order (Order). The assessment rate would remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated. This proposed rule also makes administrative revisions to the subpart headings to bring the language into conformance with the Office of Federal Register requirements.
United States Standards for Grades of Carcass Beef
Document Number: 2017-26273
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-06
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Agricultural Marketing Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture is revising the United States Standards for Grades of Carcass Beef (beef standards) to allow dentition and documentation of actual age as additional methods of classifying maturity of carcasses presented to USDA for official quality grading.
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; Establishment of Reporting Requirements and New Information Collection
Document Number: 2017-25738
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2017-12-04
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This proposed rule invites comments on the establishment of reporting requirements under the Federal marketing order for pecans (Order). These reporting requirements would enable collection of information from handlers on: Pecans received; pecans purchased outside the United States; shipments and inventory of pecans; pecans exported by country of destination; and pecans exported for shelling and returned to the United States. This information would be used to provide important statistical reports to the industry, meet requirements under the Order, and to help guide future marketing efforts. This proposal also announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's intention to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget of a new information collection.
Oranges and Grapefruit Grown in the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas; Decreased Assessment Rate
Document Number: 2017-25737
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2017-12-04
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This proposed rule would implement a recommendation from the Texas Valley Citrus Committee (Committee) to decrease the assessment rate established for the 2017-18 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.09 to $0.02 per 7/10-bushel carton or equivalent of oranges and grapefruit handled under the Marketing Order (Order). The assessment rate would remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated. This proposed rule also makes administrative revisions to the subpart headings to bring the language into conformance with the Office of Federal Register requirements.
Marketing Order Regulating the Handling of Spearmint Oil Produced in the Far West; Revision of the Salable Quantity and Allotment Percentage for Class 3 (Native) Spearmint Oil for the 2017-2018 Marketing Year
Document Number: 2017-25965
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2017-12-01
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This proposed rule would implement a recommendation from the Far West Spearmint Oil Administrative Committee (Committee) to revise the quantity of Class 3 (Native) spearmint oil that handlers may purchase from, or handle on behalf of, producers during the 2017-2018 marketing year, which began on June 1, 2017. This proposal would increase the Native spearmint oil salable quantity and the allotment percentage. The Committee recommended this action for the purpose of avoiding extreme fluctuations in supplies and prices and to help maintain stability in the Far West spearmint oil market. This proposal also contains a formatting change to subpart references to bring the language into conformance with the Office of the Federal Register requirements.
Walnuts Grown in California; Decreased Assessment Rate
Document Number: 2017-25736
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-11-28
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that implemented a recommendation from the California Walnut Board (Board) to decrease the assessment rate established for the 2017-18 and subsequent marketing years from $0.0465 to $0.0400 per kernelweight pound of assessable walnuts. The Board is comprised of growers and handlers of walnuts and locally administers the Marketing Order that regulates the handling of walnuts grown in California. The Board also has a public member who has no financial interest in walnut production or handling.
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; Establishment of Reporting Requirements and New Information Collection
Document Number: 2017-25735
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-11-28
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule implements a recommendation made by the American Pecan Council (Council) to establish reporting requirements under the Federal marketing order for pecans (Order). The Council locally administers the Order and is comprised of growers and handlers of pecans operating within the production area and one public member. This action requires all pecan handlers to submit two forms to the Council: one for inter-handler transfers and another that includes year-end inventory and pecans handled throughout the year. The Council will use this information to facilitate assessment collection and provide valuable reports to the industry, including the annual marketing policy required by the Order.
Oranges, Grapefruit, Tangerines, and Pummelos Grown in Florida and Imported Grapefruit; Change in Size Requirements for Grapefruit
Document Number: 2017-25209
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-11-21
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule implements a recommendation from the Citrus Administrative Committee (Committee) to relax the minimum size requirements currently prescribed for grapefruit under the marketing order for oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and pummelos grown in Florida (Order). The Committee locally administers the Order and is comprised of producers and handlers operating within the production area and one public member. This rule relaxes the minimum size requirement for grapefruit from 3\5/16\ inches in diameter to 3 inches in diameter. This rule will maximize shipments by allowing more grapefruit to be shipped to the fresh market and will help reduce the losses sustained by the grapefruit industry during the September 2017 hurricane in Florida. The corresponding change in the grapefruit import regulation is required under section 8e of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937.
Oranges, Grapefruit, Tangerines, and Pummelos Grown in Florida; Change in Size Requirements for Oranges
Document Number: 2017-24701
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-11-16
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule implements a recommendation from the Citrus Administrative Committee (Committee) to relax the minimum size requirements currently prescribed under the marketing Order for oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and pummelos grown in Florida (Order). The Committee locally administers the order and is comprised of growers and handlers operating within the production area and one public member. This rule relaxes the minimum size requirements for oranges from 2\8/16\ inches to 2\4/16\ inches in diameter. This rule will maximize shipments by allowing more oranges to be shipped to the fresh market and help reduce the losses sustained by the citrus industry during the September 2017 hurricane in Florida. This rule also contains a formatting change to subpart references to bring the Order language into conformance with Office of Federal Register's guidelines.
National Organic Program (NOP); Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices
Document Number: 2017-24675
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-11-14
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The United States Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is delaying the effective date of the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices final rule published in the Federal Register on January 19, 2017 (OLPP final rule), until May 14, 2018.
Softwood Lumber Research, Promotion, Consumer Education and Industry Information Order; De Minimis Quantity Exemption Threshold
Document Number: 2017-23094
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-10-26
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule establishes a de minimis quantity exemption threshold under the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) regulations regarding a national research and promotion program for softwood lumber. In response to a 2016 federal district court decision, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) conducted a new analysis to determine a reasonable and appropriate de minimis threshold. Based on that analysis, this rule establishes the de minimis quantity threshold at 15 million board feet (mmbf) and entities manufacturing (and domestically shipping) or importing less than 15 mmbf per year will be exempt from paying assessments under the regulations.
National Organic Program: Notice of Interim Instruction, Maintaining the Integrity of Organic Imports
Document Number: 2017-23093
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-10-25
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is announcing the availability of an interim instruction document intended for use by USDA-accredited organic certifying agents (certifiers). The interim instruction is entitled as follows: Maintaining the Integrity of Organic Imports (NOP 4013). This interim instruction explains the USDA organic regulations' current requirements for certifiers engaged in the oversight of organic products imported into the United States. It also recommends best practices that certifiers may use in order to comply with the existing regulations. AMS invites organic handlers, certifying agents, importers, consumers, and other interested parties to submit comments on the interim instruction. Specifically, comments should address the parts of the instruction that recommend best practices that certifiers may use to ensure compliance with the USDA organic regulations. This document is not intended to request comments on the existing USDA organic regulations found at 7 CFR part 205.
Pistachios Grown in California, Arizona, and New Mexico; Decreased Assessment Rate
Document Number: 2017-22711
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-10-24
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule implements a recommendation from the Administrative Committee for Pistachios (Committee) for a decrease in the assessment rate established for the 2017-18 and subsequent production years from $0.0010 to $0.0001 per pound of assessed weight pistachios handled under the marketing order (order). The Committee locally administers the order and is comprised of producers and handlers of pistachios operating within the area of production, and a public member. Assessments upon pistachio handlers are used by the Committee to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The production year begins September 1 and ends August 31. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.
United States Standards for Grades of Pork Carcasses
Document Number: 2017-22934
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-10-23
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking public comment on revisions to the United States Standards for Grades of Pork Carcasses (pork standards). The last revision to the pork standards occurred in 1985 and the standards no longer accurately reflect value differences in today's pork products. Modern pork production is characterized by products with improved color and higher marbling content, two factors that have been consistently identified by researchers as the main components affecting pork eating quality.
Minimum Quality and Handling Standards for Domestic and Imported Peanuts Marketed in the United States; Change to the Quality and Handling Requirements
Document Number: 2017-22712
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-10-20
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule implements a recommendation from the Peanut Standards Board (Board) to revise the minimum quality and handling standards for domestic and imported peanuts marketed in the United States (Standards). The Board advises the Secretary of Agriculture regarding potential changes to the Standards and is comprised of producers and industry representatives. This action relaxes the allowance for damaged kernels in farmers stock peanuts when determining segregation. This change increases the allowance for damaged kernels under Segregation 1 from not more than 2.49 percent to not more than 3.49 percent. The requirements for Segregation 2 are also adjusted to reflect this change. The Board recommended this change to align the incoming standards with recent changes to the outgoing quality standards and to help increase returns to producers.
Request for Extension of and Revision to a Currently Approved Information Collection
Document Number: 2017-22221
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-10-13
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intent to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for an extension of and revision to the currently approved information collection used in support of the Regulations Governing the Inspection of Eggs (as authorized by the Egg Products Inspection Act (EPIA)), which is commonly referred to as the Shell Egg Surveillance Program.
Revision of a Currently Approved Collection
Document Number: 2017-22134
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-10-13
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 from the Office of Management and Budget, for a revision of a currently approved collection for the Regulations Governing the Inspection and Grading of Manufactured or Processed Dairy ProductsRecordkeeping (Subpart B).
Cranberries Grown in States of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and Long Island in the State of New York; Request for Approval of a New Information Collection
Document Number: 2017-21735
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-10-10
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Agency's intent to request emergency approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for a new information collection for cranberry handlers, where applicable, to provide prior affirmative consent authorizing five forms needed to implement and facilitate compliance with a handler withhold volume regulation for the 2017-18 season under the marketing order for cranberries grown in the states of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and Long Island in the State of New York.
Regulations Issued Under Authority of the Export Apple Act and Export Grapes and Plums; Changes to Export Reporting Requirements; Withdrawal
Document Number: 2017-21183
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2017-10-05
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This document withdraws a proposed rule to change the reporting of export certificate information under regulations issued pursuant to the Export Apple Act and the Export Grape and Plum Act. After reviewing and considering the comments received, the agency has decided not to proceed with this action.
Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection for the Dairy Product Mandatory Reporting Program
Document Number: 2017-20870
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-09-29
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 an extension and revision of a currently approved information collection under the Dairy Product Mandatory Reporting Program. The information collected supports the marketing of dairy products and is used to verify compliance with Federal milk marketing regulations.
Raisins Produced From Grapes Grown in California; Secretary's Decision and Referendum Order on Proposed Amendments to Marketing Order No. 989
Document Number: 2017-20347
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2017-09-29
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This decision proposes amendments to Marketing Order No. 989 (order), which regulates the handling of raisins produced from grapes grown in California and provides producers with the opportunity to vote in a referendum to determine if they favor the changes. Five amendments proposed by the Raisin Administrative Committee (RAC or Committee), the agency responsible for local administration of the order, would: Authorize production research; establish new nomination procedures for independent producer member and alternate member seats; add authority to regulate quality; add authority to establish different regulations for different markets; and add a continuance referenda requirement. In addition, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) proposed to: Remove order language pertaining to volume regulation and reserve pool authority; establish term limits for Committee members; and, to make any such changes as may be necessary to the order to conform to any amendment that may be adopted, or to correct minor inconsistencies and typographical errors. These proposed amendments would update the order to reflect changes in the industry and potential future changes, and would improve the operation and administration of the order.
Hazelnuts Grown in Oregon and Washington; Secretary's Decision and Referendum Order on Proposed Amendments to Marketing Order No. 982
Document Number: 2017-19920
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2017-09-28
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This decision proposes amendments to Marketing Order No. 982 (order), which regulates the handling of hazelnuts grown in Oregon and Washington, and provides growers with the opportunity to vote in a referendum to determine if they favor the changes. Two amendments are proposed by the Hazelnut Marketing Board (Board), which is responsible for local administration of the order. The proposed amendments would add both the authority to regulate quality for the purpose of pathogen reduction and the authority to establish different regulations for different markets. In addition, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) proposed to make any such changes as may be necessary to the order to conform to any amendment that may result from the public hearing. The proposals would aid in pathogen reduction and the industry's ability to meet the needs of different market destinations.
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