82_FR_11891 82 FR 11854 - Organic Research, Promotion, and Information Order

82 FR 11854 - Organic Research, Promotion, and Information Order

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 37 (February 27, 2017)

Page Range11854-11855
FR Document2017-03825

Notice is hereby given that Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is extending the comment period for the proposed rule published in the Federal Register on January 18, 2017 (82 FR 5746), until April 19, 2017. The proposed rule invited comments on the proposed establishment of an industry-funded research, promotion, and information program for certified organic products. The proposed rule also announced the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intent to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of new information collection requirements to implement the program. This document extends the comment period for the proposed rule by 30 days.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 37 (Monday, February 27, 2017) 
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 37 (Monday, February 27, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11854-11855]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-03825]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 1255

[Doc. No. AMS-SC-16-0112]


Organic Research, Promotion, and Information Order

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Agricultural Marketing Service 
(AMS) is extending the comment period for the proposed rule published 
in the Federal Register on January 18, 2017 (82 FR 5746), until April 
19, 2017. The proposed rule invited comments on the proposed 
establishment of an industry-funded research, promotion, and 
information program for certified organic products. The proposed rule 
also announced the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intent to 
request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of new 
information collection requirements to implement the program. This 
document extends the comment period for the proposed rule by 30 days.

DATES: Comments received by April 19, 2017, will be considered prior to 
issuance of a final rule.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments 
concerning this proposal. Comments may be submitted on the Internet at: 
http://www.regulations.gov or to the Promotion and Economics Division, 
Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 
1406-S, Stop 0244, Washington, DC 20250-0244; facsimile: (202) 205-
2800. All comments should reference the docket number and the date and 
page number of this issue of the Federal Register and will be made 
available for public inspection, including name and address, if 
provided, in the above office during regular business hours or it can 
be viewed at http://www.regulations.gov.
    Pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), comments regarding 
the accuracy of the burden estimate, ways to minimize the burden, 
including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology, or any other aspect of this collection of 
information, should be sent to the above address. In addition, comments 
concerning the information collection should also be sent to the Desk 
Office for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
OMB, New Executive Office Building, 725 17th Street NW., Room 725, 
Washington, DC 20503.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Heather Pichelman, Division Director, 
Promotion and Economics Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 
1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room

[[Page 11855]]

1406-S, Stop 0244, Washington, DC 20250-0244; facsimile: (202) 205-
2800; or electronic mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposed rule was published in the Federal 
Register on January 18, 2017 (82 FR 5746). This proposed action invited 
comments on a proposed industry-funded research, promotion, and 
information program for certified organic products. Organic products 
are products produced under the authority of the Organic Foods 
Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6501-6522) and its implementing 
regulations at 7 CFR part 205. The organic market includes a range of 
agricultural commodities such as fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, 
poultry, breads, grains, snack foods, condiments, beverages, and 
packaged and prepared foods as well as non-food items such as fiber 
(linen and clothing), personal care products, pet food, and flowers. 
The program would be financed by an assessment on domestic producers, 
handlers and importers of organic products and would be administered by 
a board of industry members nominated by organic stakeholders and 
appointed by the Secretary. The proposed initial assessment rate would 
be one tenth of one percent of net organic sales for producers and 
handlers, and one tenth of one percent of the transaction value of 
organic products imported into the United States for importers. Citing 
domestic supply shortages, challenges with viable pest management, and 
market confusion, program proponents have proposed an organic research 
and promotion program for the purposes of: (1) Developing and financing 
an effective and coordinated program of research, promotion, industry 
information, and consumer education regarding organic commodities; and 
(2) maintaining and expanding existing markets for organic commodities.
    A referendum would be held among eligible domestic producers, 
handlers and importers to determine whether they favor implementation 
of the program prior to it going into effect. The proposal was 
submitted to USDA by the Organic Trade Association (OTA), a membership 
business association, in collaboration with the 7-member GRO Organic 
Core Committee. OTA is a membership-based trade organization 
representing growers, processors, certifiers, farmers associations, 
distributors, importers, exporters, consultants, retailers, and others 
involved in the organic sector. The GRO Organic Core Committee is a 
subset of OTA's larger Organic Research and Promotion Program Steering 
Committee. It included OTA subcommittee chairs and other industry 
leaders who built on the outreach and input from the larger committee 
to guide the development of a proposed Order.
    This proposed rule also announced AMS's intent to request approval 
from OMB of new information collection requirements to implement the 
program.
    The 60-day comment period provided in the proposed rule published 
in the Federal Register on January 18, 2017 (82 FR 5746) was set to end 
on March 20, 2017. AMS has extended the end of comment period by 30 
days to April 19, 2017 to ensure that interested persons have 
sufficient time to review and comment on the proposed rule.

    Authority:  7 U.S.C. 7411-7425; 7 U.S.C. 7401.

    Dated: February 22, 2017.
Bruce Summers,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-03825 Filed 2-24-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-02-P

11854 Proposed Rules Federal Register Vol. 82, No. 37 Monday, February 27, 2017 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that contains notices to the public of the proposed http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is issuance of rules and regulations. The online instructions for submitting extending the comment period for the purpose of these notices is to give interested comments. proposed rule published in the Federal persons an opportunity to participate in the Email: Send comments to Register on January 18, 2017 (82 FR rule making prior to the adoption of the final ProcessingRuleComments@fns.usda.gov. 5746), until April 19, 2017. The rules. Include RIN number 0584–AE38 in the proposed rule invited comments on the subject line of the message. proposed establishment of an industry- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Mail: Send comments to Kiley Larson, funded research, promotion, and Program Analyst, Policy Branch, Food information program for certified Food and Nutrition Service Distribution Division, Food and organic products. The proposed rule Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of also announced the Agricultural 7 CFR Part 250 Agriculture, Room 500, 3101 Park Marketing Service’s (AMS) intent to Center Drive, Alexandria, Virginia request approval from the Office of RIN 0584–AE38 22302–1594. Management and Budget (OMB) of new Hand Delivery or Courier: Deliver information collection requirements to Revisions and Clarifications in comments to the above address. Requirements for the Processing of implement the program. This document FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: extends the comment period for the Donated Foods; Extension of Kiley Larson or Erica Antonson at the proposed rule by 30 days. Comment Period above address or telephone (703) 305– DATES: Comments received by April 19, AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service 2680. 2017, will be considered prior to (FNS), USDA. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Food issuance of a final rule. ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of and Nutrition Service is extending by 30 ADDRESSES: Interested persons are comment period. days the public comment period for this invited to submit written comments proposed rule, which was published on concerning this proposal. Comments SUMMARY: The Food and Nutrition January 5, 2017. may be submitted on the Internet at: Service (FNS) is extending the comment To the extent that 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A) http://www.regulations.gov or to the period for this proposed rule. This rule applies to this action, it is exempt from Promotion and Economics Division, proposes to revise and clarify notice and comment rulemaking for Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, requirements for the processing of good cause and for reasons cited above, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room donated foods in order to: Incorporate the Food and Nutrition Service finds 1406–S, Stop 0244, Washington, DC successful processing options tested in that notice and solicitation of comment 20250–0244; facsimile: (202) 205–2800. demonstration projects, ensure regarding the brief extension of the All comments should reference the accountability for donated foods comment period of the rule is docket number and the date and page provided for processing, and increase impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary number of this issue of the Federal program efficiency. The rule would to the public interest pursuant to 5 Register and will be made available for require multi-State processors to enter U.S.C. 553(b)(B). public inspection, including name and into National Processing Agreements to The Food and Nutrition Service address, if provided, in the above office process donated foods into end believes that affected parties need to be during regular business hours or it can products, permit processors to informed as soon as possible of the be viewed at http:// substitute commercially purchased beef extension and its length. www.regulations.gov. and pork of U.S. origin and of equal or Dated: February 16, 2017. Pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction better quality for donated beef and pork, Jessica Shahin, Act (PRA), comments regarding the and would increase oversight of Acting Administrator, Food and Nutrition accuracy of the burden estimate, ways to inventories of donated foods at Service. minimize the burden, including the use processors. The rule also revises [FR Doc. 2017–03560 Filed 2–24–17; 8:45 am] of automated collection techniques or regulatory provisions in plain language, other forms of information technology, BILLING CODE 3410–30–P to make them easier to read and or any other aspect of this collection of understand. information, should be sent to the above DATES: The comment period for the DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE address. In addition, comments proposed rule published in the Federal concerning the information collection Register of January 5, 2017 (82 FR Agricultural Marketing Service should also be sent to the Desk Office 1231), has been extended from March 6, for Agriculture, Office of Information 2017, to April 5, 2017. To be assured of 7 CFR Part 1255 and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, New jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS consideration, comments must be [Doc. No. AMS–SC–16–0112] Executive Office Building, 725 17th received on or before April 5, 2017. Street NW., Room 725, Washington, DC ADDRESSES: The Food and Nutrition Organic Research, Promotion, and 20503. Service invites interested persons to Information Order FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: submit comments on this proposed rule. AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, Heather Pichelman, Division Director, You may submit comments, identified USDA. Promotion and Economics Division, by RIN number 0584–AE38, by any of Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, ACTION: Extension of comment period. the following methods: 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:04 Feb 24, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\27FEP1.SGM 27FEP1

Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 37 / Monday, February 27, 2017 / Proposed Rules 11855 1406–S, Stop 0244, Washington, DC Promotion Program Steering Committee. published separately in the Federal 20250–0244; facsimile: (202) 205–2800; It included OTA subcommittee chairs Register on January 18, 2017 (82 FR or electronic mail: Heather.Pichelman@ and other industry leaders who built on 5746). ams.usda.gov. the outreach and input from the larger DATES: Comments received by April 19, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A committee to guide the development of 2017, will be considered prior to proposed rule was published in the a proposed Order. issuance of a final rule. Federal Register on January 18, 2017 This proposed rule also announced ADDRESSES: Interested persons are (82 FR 5746). This proposed action AMS’s intent to request approval from invited to submit written comments invited comments on a proposed OMB of new information collection concerning this proposal. Comments industry-funded research, promotion, requirements to implement the program. may be submitted on the Internet at: and information program for certified The 60-day comment period provided http://www.regulations.gov or to the organic products. Organic products are in the proposed rule published in the Promotion and Economics Division, products produced under the authority Federal Register on January 18, 2017 Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, of the Organic Foods Production Act of (82 FR 5746) was set to end on March 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6501–6522) and its 20, 2017. AMS has extended the end of 1406–S, Stop 0244, Washington, DC implementing regulations at 7 CFR part comment period by 30 days to April 19, 20250–0244; facsimile: (202) 205–2800. 205. The organic market includes a 2017 to ensure that interested persons All comments should reference the range of agricultural commodities such have sufficient time to review and docket number and the date and page as fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, comment on the proposed rule. number of this issue of the Federal poultry, breads, grains, snack foods, Authority: 7 U.S.C. 7411–7425; 7 U.S.C. Register and will be made available for condiments, beverages, and packaged 7401. public inspection, including name and and prepared foods as well as non-food Dated: February 22, 2017. address, if provided, in the above office items such as fiber (linen and clothing), Bruce Summers, during regular business hours or it can personal care products, pet food, and be viewed at http:// Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing flowers. The program would be financed Service. www.regulations.gov. by an assessment on domestic Pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction [FR Doc. 2017–03825 Filed 2–24–17; 8:45 am] producers, handlers and importers of Act (PRA), comments regarding the BILLING CODE 3410–02–P organic products and would be accuracy of the burden estimate, ways to administered by a board of industry minimize the burden, including the use members nominated by organic of automated collection techniques or DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE stakeholders and appointed by the other forms of information technology, Secretary. The proposed initial Agricultural Marketing Service or any other aspect of this collection of assessment rate would be one tenth of information, should be sent to the above one percent of net organic sales for 7 CFR Part 1255 address. In addition, comments producers and handlers, and one tenth concerning the information collection of one percent of the transaction value [Doc. No. AMS–SC–16–0112] should also be sent to the Desk Office of organic products imported into the for Agriculture, Office of Information Organic Research, Promotion, and and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, New United States for importers. Citing Information Order; Referendum Executive Office Building, 725 17th domestic supply shortages, challenges Procedures Street NW., Room 725, Washington, DC with viable pest management, and market confusion, program proponents AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, 20503. have proposed an organic research and USDA. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: promotion program for the purposes of: ACTION: Extension of comment period. Heather Pichelman, Division Director, (1) Developing and financing an Promotion and Economics Division, effective and coordinated program of SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, research, promotion, industry Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room information, and consumer education extending the comment period for the 1406–S, Stop 0244, Washington, DC regarding organic commodities; and (2) proposed rule published in the Federal 20250–0244; facsimile: (202) 205–2800; maintaining and expanding existing Register on January 18, 2017 (82 FR or electronic mail: Heather.Pichelman@ markets for organic commodities. 5438), until April 19, 2017. The ams.usda.gov. A referendum would be held among proposed rule invited comments on the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A eligible domestic producers, handlers proposed procedures for conducting a proposed rule was published in the and importers to determine whether referendum to determine whether the Federal Register on January 18, 2017 they favor implementation of the issuance of a proposed Organic (82 FR 5438). This proposed action program prior to it going into effect. The Research, Promotion, and Information invited comments on a proposed proposal was submitted to USDA by the Order (proposed Order) is favored by procedures for conducting a referendum Organic Trade Association (OTA), a certified organic producers, certified to determine whether covered domestic membership business association, in organic handlers, and importers of certified organic producers, certified collaboration with the 7-member GRO certified organic products. The organic handlers and importers of Organic Core Committee. OTA is a procedures would also be used for any organic products favor issuance of a jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS membership-based trade organization subsequent referendum under the proposed Order. Accordingly, this representing growers, processors, proposed Order. This proposed rule also proposed rule would add subpart B to certifiers, farmers associations, announced the Agricultural Marketing part 1255 that would establish distributors, importers, exporters, Service’s (AMS) intent to request procedures for conducting the consultants, retailers, and others approval by the Office of Management referendum. The procedures would involved in the organic sector. The GRO and Budget (OMB) of new information cover definitions, voting instructions, Organic Core Committee is a subset of collection requirements to implement use of subagents, ballots, the OTA’s larger Organic Research and the program. The proposed Order was referendum report, and confidentiality VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:04 Feb 24, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\27FEP1.SGM 27FEP1


Document Created: 2017-02-25 01:05:50
Document Modified: 2017-02-25 01:05:50
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionExtension of comment period.
DatesComments received by April 19, 2017, will be considered prior to issuance of a final rule.
ContactHeather Pichelman, Division Director, Promotion and Economics Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 1406-S, Stop 0244, Washington, DC 20250-0244; facsimile: (202) 205- 2800; or electronic mail: [email protected]
FR Citation82 FR 11854 
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