80 FR 50193 - Onions Grown in Certain Designated Counties in Idaho, and Malheur County, Oregon; Decreased Assessment Rate
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 160 (August 19, 2015)
Agricultural Marketing Service
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 160 (August 19, 2015)
| Page Range | 50193-50195 | |
| FR Document | 2015-20444 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 160 (Wednesday, August 19, 2015)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 50193-50195] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-20444] [[Page 50193]] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service 7 CFR Part 958 [Doc. No. AMS-FV-15-0027; FV15-958-1 IR] Onions Grown in Certain Designated Counties in Idaho, and Malheur County, Oregon; Decreased Assessment Rate AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Interim rule with request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This rule implements a recommendation from the Idaho-Eastern Oregon Onion Committee (Committee) for a decrease in the assessment rate established for the 2015-2016 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.10 to $0.05 per hundredweight of onions handled under the marketing order (order). The Committee locally administers the order and is comprised of producers and handlers of onions operating within the area of production. Assessments upon onion handlers are used by the Committee to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The fiscal period begins July 1 and ends June 30. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated. DATES: Effective August 20, 2015. Comments received by October 19, 2015, will be considered prior to issuance of a final rule. ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments concerning this rule. Comments must be sent to the Docket Clerk, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; Fax: (202) 720-8938; or Internet: http://www.regulations.gov. Comments should reference the document number and the date and page number of this issue of the Federal Register and will be available for public inspection in the Office of the Docket Clerk during regular business hours, or can be viewed at: http://www.regulations.gov. All comments submitted in response to this rule will be included in the record and will be made available to the public. Please be advised that the identity of the individuals or entities submitting the comments will be made public on the internet at the address provided above. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sue Coleman, Marketing Specialist, or Gary D. Olson, Regional Director, Northwest Marketing Field Office, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA; Telephone: (503) 326-2724, Fax: (503) 326-7440, or Email: [email protected] or [email protected]. Small businesses may request information on complying with this regulation by contacting Jeffrey Smutny, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; Telephone: (202) 720- 2491, Fax: (202) 720-8938, or Email: [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This rule is issued under Marketing Agreement No. 130 and Order No. 958, both as amended (7 CFR part 958), regulating the handling of onions grown in designated counties in Idaho, and Malheur County, Oregon, hereinafter referred to as the ``order.'' The order is effective under the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674), hereinafter referred to as the ``Act.'' The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing this rule in conformance with Executive Orders 12866, 13563, and 13175. This rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform. Under the marketing order now in effect, Idaho-Eastern Oregon onion handlers are subject to assessments. Funds to administer the order are derived from such assessments. It is intended that the assessment rate as issued herein will be applicable to all assessable onions beginning July 1, 2015, and continue until amended, suspended, or terminated. The Act provides that administrative proceedings must be exhausted before parties may file suit in court. Under section 608c(15)(A) of the Act, any handler subject to an order may file with USDA a petition stating that the order, any provision of the order, or any obligation imposed in connection with the order is not in accordance with law and request a modification of the order or to be exempted therefrom. Such handler is afforded the opportunity for a hearing on the petition. After the hearing, USDA would rule on the petition. The Act provides that the district court of the United States in any district in which the handler is an inhabitant, or has his or her principal place of business, has jurisdiction to review USDA's ruling on the petition, provided an action is filed not later than 20 days after the date of the entry of the ruling. This rule decreases the assessment rate established for the Committee for the 2015-2016 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.10 to $0.05 per hundredweight of onions. The Idaho-Eastern Oregon onion marketing order provides authority for the Committee, with the approval of USDA, to formulate an annual budget of expenses and collect assessments from handlers to administer the program. The members of the Committee are producers and handlers of Idaho-Eastern Oregon onions. They are familiar with the Committee's needs and with the costs for goods and services in their local area and are thus in a position to formulate an appropriate budget and assessment rate. The assessment rate is formulated and discussed in a public meeting. Thus, all directly affected persons have an opportunity to participate and provide input. For the 2005-2006 and subsequent fiscal periods, the Committee recommended, and USDA approved, an assessment rate that would continue in effect from fiscal period to fiscal period unless modified, suspended, or terminated by USDA upon recommendation and information submitted by the Committee or other information available to USDA. The Committee met on April 21, 2015, and recommended 2015-2016 expenditures of $705,473 and an assessment rate of $0.05 per hundredweight of onions. Ten Committee members voted for this change, one voted against, and there were no abstentions. In comparison, last year's budgeted expenditures were $1,173,944. The assessment rate of $0.05 is $0.05 lower than the rate currently in effect. The Committee's recommendation was in response to a request from handlers and growers to reduce promotion expenditures from $635,000 to $250,000, and to allow handlers to keep $0.05 per hundredweight to spend on their own branded promotions. The major expenditures recommended by the Committee for the 2015- 2016 year include $6,000 for committee expenses, $115,412 for salary expenses, $67,810 for travel/office expenses, $466,251 for domestic and export promotions and production research expenses, and $50,000 for marketing order contingency. Budgeted expenses for these items in 2014- 2015 were $6,000, $112,124, $107,810, $898,010, and $50,000, respectively. The Committee based its recommended assessment rate decrease on the 2015-2016 crop estimates, the 2015-2016 program expenditure needs, and the current and projected size of its monetary reserve. The Committee [[Page 50194]] estimated onion shipments for 2015-2016 at 8,800,000 hundredweight which should provide $440,000 in assessment income. Income derived from handler assessments, along with contributions ($7,000), interest income ($1,750), other income $(5,000), grant income ($34,500), and funds from the Committee's authorized reserve ($217,223), should be adequate to cover budgeted expenses. The Committee estimates that its operating reserve will be approximately $340,344 at the end of the 2015-2016 fiscal period. Funds in the reserve will be kept within the maximum permitted by the order of approximately one fiscal year's operational expenses (Sec. 958.44). The assessment rate established in this rule will continue in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated by USDA upon recommendation and information submitted by the Committee or other available information. Although this assessment rate is effective for an indefinite period, the Committee will continue to meet prior to or during each fiscal period to recommend a budget of expenses and consider recommendations for modification of the assessment rate. The dates and times of Committee meetings are available from the Committee or USDA. Committee meetings are open to the public and interested persons may express their views at these meetings. USDA will evaluate Committee recommendations and other available information to determine whether modification of the assessment rate is needed. Further rulemaking will be undertaken as necessary. The Committee's 2015-2016 budget and those for subsequent fiscal periods will be reviewed and, as appropriate, approved by USDA. Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Pursuant to requirements set forth in the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601-612), the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has considered the economic impact of this rule on small entities. Accordingly, AMS has prepared this initial regulatory flexibility analysis. The purpose of the RFA is to fit regulatory actions to the scale of businesses subject to such actions in order that small businesses will not be unduly or disproportionately burdened. Marketing orders issued pursuant to the Act, and the rules issued thereunder, are unique in that they are brought about through group action of essentially small entities acting on their own behalf. There are approximately 250 producers of onions in the production area and approximately 31 handlers subject to regulation under the marketing order. Small agricultural producers are defined by the Small Business Administration as those having annual receipts less than $750,000, and small agricultural service firms are defined as those whose annual receipts are less than $7,000,000 (13 CFR 121.201). According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, as reported in the Vegetables 2014 Summary, the total F.O.B. value of onions in the regulated production area for 2014 was $100,951,000. Based on an industry estimate of 31 handlers, the average value of onions handled per handler is $3,256,484, well below the SBA threshold for defining small agricultural service firms. In addition, based on an industry estimate of 250 producers, the average F.O.B. value of onions produced in the production area is $403,804 per producer. Therefore, it can be concluded that the majority of handlers and producers of Idaho- Eastern Oregon onions may be classified as small entities. This rule decreases the assessment rate established for the Committee and collected from handlers for the 2015-2016 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.10 to $0.05 per hundredweight of onions handled. The Committee recommended 2015-2016 expenditures of $705,473 and an assessment rate of $0.05 per hundredweight. The assessment rate of $0.05 is $0.05 lower than the 2014-2015 rate. The quantity of assessable onions for the 2015-2016 fiscal period is estimated at 8,800,000 hundredweight. Thus, the $0.05 rate should provide $440,000 in assessment income. Assessment income, along with interest and other income, contributions and grants, and funds from the Committee's authorized reserve ($217,223), should be adequate to cover budgeted expenses of $705,473. The major expenditures recommended by the Committee for the 2015- 2016 year include $6,000 for committee expenses, $115,412 for salary expenses, $67,810 for travel/office expenses, $466,251 for program expenses, and $50,000 for marketing order contingency. Budgeted expenses for these items in 2014-2015 were $6,000, $112,124, $107,810, $898,010, and $50,000, respectively. The Committee's recommendation to decrease the assessment was in response to a request from handlers and growers to reduce promotion expenditures from $635,000 to $250,000 and to allow handlers to keep $0.05 per hundredweight to spend on their own branded promotions. Prior to arriving at this budget and assessment rate, the Committee considered information from various sources, such as the Committee's Executive, Research, Export, and Promotion Sub-Committees, grower associations, and industry leaders. Alternative expenditure levels were discussed by these groups, based upon the relative value of various activities to the onion industry. The Committee ultimately determined that income derived from handler assessments, along with interest and other income, contributions and grants, and funds from the Committee's authorized reserve will be adequate to cover 2015-2016 budgeted expenses of $705,473. A review of historical information and preliminary information pertaining to the upcoming fiscal period indicates that the producer price for the 2015-2016 fiscal period could range between $8.00 and $8.50 per hundredweight of onions. Utilizing these estimates and the assessment rate of $0.05 per hundredweight, estimated assessment revenue as a percentage of total grower revenue could range between 0.59 and 0.63 percent for the 2015-2016 fiscal period. This action decreases the assessment obligation imposed on handlers. Assessments are applied uniformly on all handlers, and some of the costs may be passed on to producers. However, decreasing the assessment rate reduces the burden on handlers, and may reduce the burden on producers. In addition, the Committee's meeting was widely publicized throughout the Idaho-Eastern Oregon onion industry and all interested persons were invited to attend the meeting and participate in Committee deliberations on all issues. Like all Committee meetings, the April 21, 2015, meeting was a public meeting and all entities, both large and small, were able to express views on this issue. Finally, interested persons are invited to submit comments on this interim rule, including the regulatory and informational impacts of this action on small businesses. Paperwork Reduction Act In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the order's information collection requirements have been previously approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and assigned OMB No. 0581-0178, Vegetable and Specialty Crops. No changes in those requirements as a result of this action are necessary. Should any changes become necessary, [[Page 50195]] they would be submitted to OMB for approval. This action imposes no additional reporting or recordkeeping requirements on either small or large Idaho-Eastern Oregon onion handlers. As with all Federal marketing order programs, reports and forms are periodically reviewed to reduce information requirements and duplication by industry and public sector agencies. AMS is committed to complying with the E-Government Act, to promote the use of the internet and other information technologies to provide increased opportunities for citizen access to Government information and services, and for other purposes. USDA has not identified any relevant Federal rules that duplicate, overlap, or conflict with this rule. A small business guide on complying with fruit, vegetable, and specialty crop marketing agreements and orders may be viewed at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/MarketingOrdersSmallBusinessGuide. Any questions about the compliance guide should be sent to Jeffrey Smutny at the previously mentioned address in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. After consideration of all relevant material presented, including the information and recommendation submitted by the Committee and other available information, it is hereby found that this rule, as hereinafter set forth, will tend to effectuate the declared policy of the Act. Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553, it is also found and determined upon good cause that it is impracticable, unnecessary, and contrary to the public interest to give preliminary notice prior to putting this rule into effect, and that good cause exists for not postponing the effective date of this rule until 30 days after publication in the Federal Register because: (1) The 2015-2016 fiscal period begins on July 1, 2015, and the marketing order requires that the rate of assessment for each fiscal period apply to all assessable onions handled during such fiscal period; (2) the action decreases the assessment rate for assessable onions beginning with the 2015-2016 fiscal period; (3) handlers are aware of this action which was recommended by the Committee at a public meeting; and (4) this interim rule provides a 60- day comment period, and all comments timely received will be considered prior to finalization of this rule. List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 958 Marketing agreements, Onions, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 7 CFR part 958 is amended as follows: PART 958--ONIONS GROWN IN CERTAIN DESIGNATED COUNTIES IN IDAHO, AND MALHEUR COUNTY, OREGON 0 1. The authority citation for 7 CFR part 958 continues to read as follows: Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601-674. 0 2. Section 958.240 is revised to read as follows: Sec. 958.240 Assessment rate. On and after July 1, 2015, an assessment rate of $0.05 per hundredweight is established for Idaho-Eastern Oregon onions. Dated: August 13, 2015. Rex A. Barnes, Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. 2015-20444 Filed 8-18-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 160 / Wednesday, August 19, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 50193
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE D. Olson, Regional Director, Northwest This rule decreases the assessment
Marketing Field Office, Marketing Order rate established for the Committee for
Agricultural Marketing Service and Agreement Division, Fruit and the 2015–2016 and subsequent fiscal
Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA; periods from $0.10 to $0.05 per
7 CFR Part 958 Telephone: (503) 326–2724, Fax: (503) hundredweight of onions.
326–7440, or Email: Sue.Coleman@ The Idaho-Eastern Oregon onion
[Doc. No. AMS–FV–15–0027; FV15–958–1
IR] ams.usda.gov or GaryD.Olson@ marketing order provides authority for
ams.usda.gov. the Committee, with the approval of
Onions Grown in Certain Designated Small businesses may request USDA, to formulate an annual budget of
Counties in Idaho, and Malheur information on complying with this expenses and collect assessments from
County, Oregon; Decreased regulation by contacting Jeffrey Smutny, handlers to administer the program. The
Assessment Rate Marketing Order and Agreement members of the Committee are
Division, Fruit and Vegetable Program, producers and handlers of Idaho-Eastern
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Oregon onions. They are familiar with
USDA. Avenue SW., STOP 0237, Washington, the Committee’s needs and with the
ACTION: Interim rule with request for DC 20250–0237; Telephone: (202) 720– costs for goods and services in their
comments. 2491, Fax: (202) 720–8938, or Email: local area and are thus in a position to
Jeffrey.Smutny@ams.usda.gov. formulate an appropriate budget and
SUMMARY: This rule implements a SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This rule assessment rate. The assessment rate is
recommendation from the Idaho-Eastern is issued under Marketing Agreement formulated and discussed in a public
Oregon Onion Committee (Committee) No. 130 and Order No. 958, both as meeting. Thus, all directly affected
for a decrease in the assessment rate amended (7 CFR part 958), regulating persons have an opportunity to
established for the 2015–2016 and the handling of onions grown in participate and provide input.
subsequent fiscal periods from $0.10 to designated counties in Idaho, and For the 2005–2006 and subsequent
$0.05 per hundredweight of onions Malheur County, Oregon, hereinafter fiscal periods, the Committee
handled under the marketing order referred to as the ‘‘order.’’ The order is recommended, and USDA approved, an
(order). The Committee locally effective under the Agricultural assessment rate that would continue in
administers the order and is comprised Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as effect from fiscal period to fiscal period
of producers and handlers of onions amended (7 U.S.C. 601–674), hereinafter unless modified, suspended, or
operating within the area of production. referred to as the ‘‘Act.’’ terminated by USDA upon
Assessments upon onion handlers are The Department of Agriculture recommendation and information
used by the Committee to fund (USDA) is issuing this rule in submitted by the Committee or other
reasonable and necessary expenses of conformance with Executive Orders information available to USDA. The
the program. The fiscal period begins 12866, 13563, and 13175. Committee met on April 21, 2015, and
July 1 and ends June 30. The assessment This rule has been reviewed under recommended 2015–2016 expenditures
rate will remain in effect indefinitely Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice of $705,473 and an assessment rate of
unless modified, suspended, or Reform. Under the marketing order now $0.05 per hundredweight of onions. Ten
terminated. in effect, Idaho-Eastern Oregon onion Committee members voted for this
DATES: Effective August 20, 2015. handlers are subject to assessments. change, one voted against, and there
Comments received by October 19, Funds to administer the order are were no abstentions.
derived from such assessments. It is In comparison, last year’s budgeted
2015, will be considered prior to
intended that the assessment rate as expenditures were $1,173,944. The
issuance of a final rule.
issued herein will be applicable to all assessment rate of $0.05 is $0.05 lower
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are than the rate currently in effect. The
assessable onions beginning July 1,
invited to submit written comments Committee’s recommendation was in
2015, and continue until amended,
concerning this rule. Comments must be suspended, or terminated. response to a request from handlers and
sent to the Docket Clerk, Marketing The Act provides that administrative growers to reduce promotion
Order and Agreement Division, Fruit proceedings must be exhausted before expenditures from $635,000 to
and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA, parties may file suit in court. Under $250,000, and to allow handlers to keep
1400 Independence Avenue SW., STOP section 608c(15)(A) of the Act, any $0.05 per hundredweight to spend on
0237, Washington, DC 20250–0237; Fax: handler subject to an order may file their own branded promotions.
(202) 720–8938; or Internet: http:// with USDA a petition stating that the The major expenditures
www.regulations.gov. Comments should order, any provision of the order, or any recommended by the Committee for the
reference the document number and the obligation imposed in connection with 2015–2016 year include $6,000 for
date and page number of this issue of the order is not in accordance with law committee expenses, $115,412 for salary
the Federal Register and will be and request a modification of the order expenses, $67,810 for travel/office
available for public inspection in the or to be exempted therefrom. Such expenses, $466,251 for domestic and
Office of the Docket Clerk during regular handler is afforded the opportunity for export promotions and production
business hours, or can be viewed at: a hearing on the petition. After the research expenses, and $50,000 for
http://www.regulations.gov. All hearing, USDA would rule on the marketing order contingency. Budgeted
comments submitted in response to this petition. The Act provides that the expenses for these items in 2014–2015
rule will be included in the record and district court of the United States in any were $6,000, $112,124, $107,810,
will be made available to the public.
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district in which the handler is an $898,010, and $50,000, respectively.
Please be advised that the identity of the inhabitant, or has his or her principal The Committee based its
individuals or entities submitting the place of business, has jurisdiction to recommended assessment rate decrease
comments will be made public on the review USDA’s ruling on the petition, on the 2015–2016 crop estimates, the
internet at the address provided above. provided an action is filed not later than 2015–2016 program expenditure needs,
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sue 20 days after the date of the entry of the and the current and projected size of its
Coleman, Marketing Specialist, or Gary ruling. monetary reserve. The Committee
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![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 160 / Wednesday, August 19, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 50195
they would be submitted to OMB for For the reasons set forth in the Overseas Citizen Services, U.S.
approval. preamble, 7 CFR part 958 is amended as Department of State, CA/OCS/L, SA–17,
This action imposes no additional follows: Floor 10, Washington, DC 20522–1710;
reporting or recordkeeping requirements (202) 485–6079.
on either small or large Idaho-Eastern PART 958—ONIONS GROWN IN SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Oregon onion handlers. As with all CERTAIN DESIGNATED COUNTIES IN
Federal marketing order programs, IDAHO, AND MALHEUR COUNTY, Why is the Department promulgating
reports and forms are periodically OREGON this rule?
reviewed to reduce information This rule amends procedural aspects
requirements and duplication by ■ 1. The authority citation for 7 CFR of the Intercountry Adoption
industry and public sector agencies. part 958 continues to read as follows: Accreditation Regulations concerning
AMS is committed to complying with Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601–674. the length of accreditation or approval
the E-Government Act, to promote the ■ 2. Section 958.240 is revised to read found in 22 CFR part 96. Subpart G
use of the internet and other as follows: governs decisions on applications for
information technologies to provide accreditation and approval. Section
increased opportunities for citizen § 958.240 Assessment rate. 96.60 provides for accreditation or
access to Government information and approval for a period of four years.
On and after July 1, 2015, an
services, and for other purposes. Section 96.60 does not currently
USDA has not identified any relevant assessment rate of $0.05 per
provide the opportunity to stagger the
Federal rules that duplicate, overlap, or hundredweight is established for Idaho-
renewal applications, which results in
conflict with this rule. Eastern Oregon onions.
many renewal applications coming due
A small business guide on complying Dated: August 13, 2015. at the same time.
with fruit, vegetable, and specialty crop Rex A. Barnes, This rule aids the accrediting entity in
marketing agreements and orders may Associate Administrator, Agricultural managing its workload. In particular,
be viewed at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/ Marketing Service. the amendments to this section will
MarketingOrdersSmallBusinessGuide. [FR Doc. 2015–20444 Filed 8–18–15; 8:45 am] allow for a one-year extension of
Any questions about the compliance BILLING CODE P previously-granted accreditation or
guide should be sent to Jeffrey Smutny approval, not to exceed five years total,
at the previously mentioned address in based on criteria included in the rule,
the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT DEPARTMENT OF STATE and summarized here.
section. The final rule establishes criteria for
After consideration of all relevant 22 CFR Part 96 selecting which agencies or persons are
material presented, including the eligible for the one-year extension. As a
information and recommendation [Public Notice 9228] threshold matter, only agencies and
submitted by the Committee and other RIN 1400–AD82 persons that have no pending adoption-
available information, it is hereby found related complaint investigations or
that this rule, as hereinafter set forth, Intercountry Adoptions: Regulatory adverse actions will be eligible for an
will tend to effectuate the declared Change To Prevent Accreditation and extension under this procedure. Also,
policy of the Act. Approval Renewal Requests From those entities that have undergone a
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553, it is also Coming Due at the Same Time change in corporate or internal structure
found and determined upon good cause (such as a merger or a leadership change
that it is impracticable, unnecessary, AGENCY: Department of State.
in chief executive or chief financial
and contrary to the public interest to ACTION: Final rule. officer) since their initial accreditation/
give preliminary notice prior to putting SUMMARY: This rule amends the approval or last renewal will not qualify
this rule into effect, and that good cause Department of State (Department) for an extension under this procedure.
exists for not postponing the effective regulation on the accreditation and If the agency or person meets the
date of this rule until 30 days after approval of adoption service providers threshold criteria, in order to ensure
publication in the Federal Register in intercountry adoptions. Most that the extension achieves its purpose
because: (1) The 2015–2016 fiscal agencies and persons currently of staggering renewals thereafter, the
period begins on July 1, 2015, and the accredited received that accreditation at Secretary in his discretion may consider
marketing order requires that the rate of approximately the same time, which has additional factors including, but not
assessment for each fiscal period apply resulted in a surge of concurrent limited to, the agency’s or person’s
to all assessable onions handled during renewal applications for consideration volume of intercountry adoption cases
such fiscal period; (2) the action by the Council on Accreditation (COA), in the year preceding the application for
decreases the assessment rate for renewal or extension, the agency’s or
the designated accrediting entity.
assessable onions beginning with the person’s U.S. state licensure record, and
Permitting some agencies or persons to
2015–2016 fiscal period; (3) handlers the number of extensions available.
qualify for an extension by one year of
are aware of this action which was Since the President signed into law
the accreditation or approval period will
recommended by the Committee at a the Intercountry Adoption Universal
result in a more even distribution of
public meeting; and (4) this interim rule Accreditation Act of 2012,
applications for renewal in a given year.
provides a 60-day comment period, and approximately 40 new agencies received
By distributing renewals, and the
all comments timely received will be accreditation, all in the same year. The
resources needed to process them, COA
resulting surge in the number of
rmajette on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with RULES
considered prior to finalization of this will be further enabled to effectively
rule. agencies requiring review in certain
and consistently carry out its other
years argued strongly for establishing a
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 958 functions.
mechanism that would allow COA to
Marketing agreements, Onions, DATES: Effective September 18, 2015. better manage the distribution of
Reporting and recordkeeping FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: renewals. The procedure outlined in
requirements. Carine Rosalia, Office of Legal Affairs, this rulemaking allows a more even
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Document Created: 2015-12-15 11:58:43
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 11:58:43
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Rules and Regulations | |
| Action | Interim rule with request for comments. | |
| Dates | Effective August 20, 2015. Comments received by October 19, 2015, will be considered prior to issuance of a final rule. | |
| Contact | Sue Coleman, Marketing Specialist, or Gary D. Olson, Regional Director, Northwest Marketing Field Office, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA; Telephone: (503) 326-2724, Fax: (503) 326-7440, or Email: [email protected] or [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 50193 | |
| CFR Associated | Marketing Agreements; Onions and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements |
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