82 FR 11892 - Cotton Research and Promotion Program: Request for Comments To Be Used in a Review of 1990 Amendments to the Cotton Research and Promotion Act
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 37 (February 27, 2017)
Agricultural Marketing Service
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 37 (February 27, 2017)
| Page Range | 11892-11893 | |
| FR Document | 2017-03709 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 37 (Monday, February 27, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 11892-11893] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-03709] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service [AMS-CN-16-0108] Cotton Research and Promotion Program: Request for Comments To Be Used in a Review of 1990 Amendments to the Cotton Research and Promotion Act AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: As provided for by the Cotton Research and Promotion Act Amendments of 1990, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is announcing its intention to conduct a review to ascertain whether a referendum is needed to determine whether producers and importers favor continuation of amendments to the Cotton Research and Promotion Order (Order). This notice invites all interested parties to submit written comments to the Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA will consider these comments in determining whether a referendum is warranted. DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 28, 2017. ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted to the addresses specified below. All comments will be made available to the public. Please do not include personally identifiable information (such as name, address, or other contact information) or confidential business information that you do not want publically disclosed. All comments may be posted on the Internet and can be retrieved by most Internet search engines. Comments may be submitted anonymously. Comments, identified by AMS-CN-16-0108, may be submitted electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. Please follow the instructions for submitting comments. In addition, comments may be submitted by mail or hand delivery to Cotton Research and Promotion, Cotton and Tobacco Program, AMS, USDA, 100 Riverside Parkway, Suite 101, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22406. Written comments should be submitted in triplicate. All comments received will be made available for public inspection at Cotton and Tobacco Program, AMS, USDA, 100 Riverside Parkway, Suite 101, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22406. A copy of this document may be found at: www.regulations.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shethir M. Riva, Director, Research and Promotion, Cotton and Tobacco Program, AMS, USDA, 100 Riverside Parkway, Suite 101, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22406, telephone (540) 361-2726, facsimile (540) 361-1199, or email at [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Cotton Research and Promotion Act of 1966 (7 U.S.C. 2101-2118) authorized a national Cotton Research and Promotion Program which is industry operated and funded, with oversight by USDA. The program's objective is to enable cotton growers and importers to establish, finance, and carry out a coordinated program of research and promotion to improve the competitive position of, and to expand markets for cotton. The program became effective on December 31, 1966, when the Cotton Research and Promotion Order (7 CFR part 1205) was issued. Assessments began with the 1967 cotton crop. The Order was amended and a supplemental assessment initiated, effective January 26, 1977. The program is currently financed through assessments levied on domestic and imported cotton and cotton-containing products. Assessments under this program are used to fund promotional campaigns and to conduct research in the areas of U.S. marketing, international marketing, cotton production and processing, and textile research and implementation. The program is administered by the Cotton Board, which has 37 members, 37 alternate members and four advisors. The Cotton Board is composed of representatives of cotton producers and cotton importers, each of whom has an alternate selected by the Secretary of Agriculture from nominations submitted by eligible producer and importer organizations. All members and their alternates serve terms of 3 years. The Cotton Board's responsibility is to administer the provisions of the Cotton Research and Promotion Order issued pursuant to the Act. These responsibilities include collecting, holding and safeguarding funds; making refunds when refunds are a provision of the Order; contracting with an organization for the development and implementation of programs of research and promotion; reviewing and making recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture on proposed programs and [[Page 11893]] budgets; and making funds available for such programs when approved. The objective of the Cotton Research and Promotion Program is to strengthen cotton's competitive position and to maintain and expand domestic and foreign markets and uses for cotton. The Cotton Board is prohibited from participating in any matters influencing governmental policies or action except making recommendations for amendments to the Order. Amendments to the Act were enacted under subtitle G of title XIX of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-624, 104 Stat. 3909, November 28, 1990). These amendments provided for: (1) Importer representation on the Cotton Board; (2) the assessment of imported cotton and cotton products; (3) increasing the amount the Secretary of Agriculture can be reimbursed for conduct of a referendum from $200,000 to $300,000; (4) reimbursing government agencies who assist in administering the collection of assessments on imported cotton and cotton products; and (5) terminating the right of a producer to demand a refund of assessments. The Act Amendments of 1990 were approved by a majority (60 percent) of importers and producers of cotton voting in a referendum conducted July 17-26, 1991, as required by the Act. Results of this referendum were announced in a nationally distributed press release dated August 2, 1991. The Cotton Research and Promotion Act Amendment of 1990, Section 8(c)(1) provides that once every 5 years after the July 1991 referendum, the Secretary of Agriculture is to conduct a review to ascertain whether a referendum is needed. In such a referendum, producers and importers would determine whether they favor continuation of the amendments to the Order provided for in the Cotton Research and Promotion Act Amendments of 1990. These amendments to the Order were promulgated in final rules published in the Federal Register on December 10, 1991 (56 FR 64470), corrected at 56 FR 66670. The results of the most recent review report of the Cotton Research and Promotion Program were issued on May 29, 2013. USDA announced its view (78 FR 32228) not to conduct a referendum regarding the 1991 amendments to the Order. In accordance with Section 8(c)(2) of the Act, USDA provided an opportunity for all eligible persons to request a continuance referendum on the 1991 amendments by making such a request during a sign-up period. During the period of August 3-August 14, 2015, the Department conducted a sign-up period for all eligible persons to request a continuance referendum on the 1990 Act amendments. The announced results of the sign-up period (80 FR 76654) did not meet the criteria established for a continuance referendum by the Cotton Research and Promotion Act and therefore, a referendum was not conducted. In 2017, in accordance with the provisions of the Act, the Secretary of Agriculture will conduct its review of the Cotton Research and Promotion Program Act amendments to ascertain whether a referendum is needed to determine whether producers and importers support continuation of the amendments to the Order, as provided for by the 1990 Act amendments. The Secretary of Agriculture will make a public announcement of the results of the review. Pursuant to the Act, if the Secretary of Agriculture determines that a referendum is needed, the Secretary of Agriculture will conduct the referendum within 12 months after a public announcement of the determination to conduct the referendum. If the Secretary determines that a referendum is not warranted, a sign-up period to request such a referendum will be made available to cotton producers and importers. A referendum will be held if requested by 10 percent or more of those voting in the most recent referendum as long as not more than 20 percent are from any one State or importers of cotton. This sign-up period would be announced in the Federal Register. A 60-day comment period is provided for interested persons to provide comments to be used by USDA in its review. All interested persons are invited to submit written comments. Authority: 7 U.S.C. 2101-2118. Dated: February 21, 2017. Bruce Summers, Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. 2017-03709 Filed 2-24-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
![11892 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 37 / Monday, February 27, 2017 / Notices
system of records containing privacy Dated: February 22, 2017. be made available for public inspection
information and will not ask questions Bruce Summers, at Cotton and Tobacco Program, AMS,
of a sensitive nature, such as sexual Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing USDA, 100 Riverside Parkway, Suite
behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, Service. 101, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22406. A
and other matters that are commonly [FR Doc. 2017–03812 Filed 2–24–17; 8:45 am] copy of this document may be found at:
considered private. BILLING CODE 3410–02–P www.regulations.gov.
AMS currently has approval from the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Office of Management and Budget Shethir M. Riva, Director, Research and
(OMB) for this information collection. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Promotion, Cotton and Tobacco
This approval is for 60,000 burden Program, AMS, USDA, 100 Riverside
hours, based on our initial request to Agricultural Marketing Service Parkway, Suite 101, Fredericksburg,
OMB in April 2011. We are asking the [AMS–CN–16–0108] Virginia 22406, telephone (540) 361–
Office of Management and Budget 2726, facsimile (540) 361–1199, or email
(OMB) to approve our use of these Cotton Research and Promotion at Shethir.Riva@ams.usda.gov.
information collection activities for 3 Program: Request for Comments To SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
years. Be Used in a Review of 1990 Cotton Research and Promotion Act of
The purpose of this notice is to solicit Amendments to the Cotton Research 1966 (7 U.S.C. 2101–2118) authorized a
comments from the public (as well as and Promotion Act national Cotton Research and Promotion
affected agencies) concerning our Program which is industry operated and
information collection. These comments AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service,
USDA. funded, with oversight by USDA. The
will help us: program’s objective is to enable cotton
(1) Evaluate whether the collection of ACTION: Notice.
growers and importers to establish,
information is necessary for the proper
SUMMARY: As provided for by the Cotton finance, and carry out a coordinated
performance of the functions of the
Research and Promotion Act program of research and promotion to
Agency, including whether the
Amendments of 1990, the Agricultural improve the competitive position of,
information will have practical utility;
(2) Evaluate the accuracy of our Marketing Service (AMS) is announcing and to expand markets for cotton.
its intention to conduct a review to The program became effective on
estimate of the burden of the collection
ascertain whether a referendum is December 31, 1966, when the Cotton
of information, including the validity of
needed to determine whether producers Research and Promotion Order (7 CFR
the methodology and assumptions used;
(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and and importers favor continuation of part 1205) was issued. Assessments
clarity of the information to be amendments to the Cotton Research and began with the 1967 cotton crop. The
collected; and Promotion Order (Order). This notice Order was amended and a supplemental
(4) Minimize the burden of the invites all interested parties to submit assessment initiated, effective January
collection of information on those who written comments to the Department of 26, 1977.
are to respond, through use, as Agriculture (USDA). USDA will The program is currently financed
appropriate, of automated, electronic, consider these comments in through assessments levied on domestic
mechanical, and other collection determining whether a referendum is and imported cotton and cotton-
technologies; e.g., permitting electronic warranted. containing products. Assessments under
submission of responses. this program are used to fund
DATES: Comments must be received on promotional campaigns and to conduct
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting or before April 28, 2017.
burden for this collection of information research in the areas of U.S. marketing,
ADDRESSES: Written comments may be international marketing, cotton
is estimated to average .50 hours per
response. submitted to the addresses specified production and processing, and textile
Respondents: Individuals and below. All comments will be made research and implementation.
households; businesses and available to the public. Please do not The program is administered by the
organizations; State, local, or Tribal include personally identifiable Cotton Board, which has 37 members,
government. information (such as name, address, or 37 alternate members and four advisors.
Estimated Annual Number of other contact information) or The Cotton Board is composed of
Respondents: 110,000. confidential business information that representatives of cotton producers and
Estimated Number of Responses: you do not want publically disclosed. cotton importers, each of whom has an
110,000. All comments may be posted on the alternate selected by the Secretary of
Estimated Annual Number of Internet and can be retrieved by most Agriculture from nominations submitted
Responses per Respondent: 1. Internet search engines. Comments may by eligible producer and importer
Estimated Total Annual Burden on be submitted anonymously. organizations. All members and their
Respondents: 60,000/(Due to averaging, Comments, identified by AMS–CN– alternates serve terms of 3 years. The
the total annual burden hours may not 16–0108, may be submitted Cotton Board’s responsibility is to
equal the product of the annual number electronically through the Federal administer the provisions of the Cotton
of responses multiplied by the reporting eRulemaking Portal at http:// Research and Promotion Order issued
burden per response.) www.regulations.gov. Please follow the pursuant to the Act. These
Comments may be sent to [name and instructions for submitting comments. responsibilities include collecting,
address of AMS representative]. All In addition, comments may be holding and safeguarding funds; making
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
comments received will be available for submitted by mail or hand delivery to refunds when refunds are a provision of
public inspection during regular Cotton Research and Promotion, Cotton the Order; contracting with an
business hours at the same address. and Tobacco Program, AMS, USDA, 100 organization for the development and
All responses to this notice will be Riverside Parkway, Suite 101, implementation of programs of research
summarized and included in the request Fredericksburg, Virginia 22406. Written and promotion; reviewing and making
for OMB approval. All comments will comments should be submitted in recommendations to the Secretary of
become a matter of public record. triplicate. All comments received will Agriculture on proposed programs and
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![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 37 / Monday, February 27, 2017 / Notices 11893
budgets; and making funds available for 14, 2015, the Department conducted a increase in the fiscal year (FY) 2017
such programs when approved. The sign-up period for all eligible persons to specialty sugar tariff-rate quota (TRQ) of
objective of the Cotton Research and request a continuance referendum on 40,000 metric tons raw value (MTRV).
Promotion Program is to strengthen the 1990 Act amendments. The DATES: Effective Date: February 27,
cotton’s competitive position and to announced results of the sign-up period 2017.
maintain and expand domestic and (80 FR 76654) did not meet the criteria
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
foreign markets and uses for cotton. The established for a continuance
Souleymane Diaby, Import Policies and
Cotton Board is prohibited from referendum by the Cotton Research and
Export Reporting Division, Foreign
participating in any matters influencing Promotion Act and therefore, a
Agricultural Service, U.S. Department of
governmental policies or action except referendum was not conducted.
In 2017, in accordance with the Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue
making recommendations for
provisions of the Act, the Secretary of SW., AgStop 1021, Washington, DC
amendments to the Order.
Amendments to the Act were enacted Agriculture will conduct its review of 20250–1021; by telephone (202) 720–
under subtitle G of title XIX of the Food, the Cotton Research and Promotion 2916; by fax (202) 720–0876; or by email
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Program Act amendments to ascertain to Souleymane.Diaby@fas.usda.gov.
Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101–624, 104 Stat. whether a referendum is needed to SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 6,
3909, November 28, 1990). These determine whether producers and 2016, USDA announced the
amendments provided for: (1) Importer importers support continuation of the establishment of the in-quota quantity of
representation on the Cotton Board; (2) amendments to the Order, as provided the FY 2017 refined sugar TRQ at
the assessment of imported cotton and for by the 1990 Act amendments. The 162,000 MTRV for which the sucrose
cotton products; (3) increasing the Secretary of Agriculture will make a content, by weight in the dry state, must
amount the Secretary of Agriculture can public announcement of the results of have a polarimeter reading of 99.5
be reimbursed for conduct of a the review. Pursuant to the Act, if the degrees or more (81 FR 27390, May 6,
referendum from $200,000 to $300,000; Secretary of Agriculture determines that 2016). This amount included the
(4) reimbursing government agencies a referendum is needed, the Secretary of minimum level to which the United
who assist in administering the Agriculture will conduct the States is committed under the WTO
collection of assessments on imported referendum within 12 months after a Uruguay Round Agreements (22,000
cotton and cotton products; and (5) public announcement of the MTRV of which 1,656 MTRV is reserved
terminating the right of a producer to determination to conduct the for specialty sugar) and an additional
demand a refund of assessments. The referendum. 140,000 MTRV reserved for specialty
Act Amendments of 1990 were If the Secretary determines that a sugars.
approved by a majority (60 percent) of referendum is not warranted, a sign-up Pursuant to Additional U.S. Note 5 to
importers and producers of cotton period to request such a referendum Chapter 17 of the U.S. Harmonized
voting in a referendum conducted July will be made available to cotton Tariff Schedule (HTS) and Section 359k
17–26, 1991, as required by the Act. producers and importers. A referendum of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of
Results of this referendum were will be held if requested by 10 percent 1938, as amended, the Secretary today
announced in a nationally distributed or more of those voting in the most increased the overall FY 2017 refined
press release dated August 2, 1991. recent referendum as long as not more sugar TRQ by 40,000 MTRV to 202,000
The Cotton Research and Promotion than 20 percent are from any one State MTRV. The increased amount is
Act Amendment of 1990, Section 8(c)(1) or importers of cotton. This sign-up reserved for specialty sugar. Entry of
provides that once every 5 years after period would be announced in the this sugar will be permitted beginning
the July 1991 referendum, the Secretary Federal Register. A 60-day comment March 1, 2017. The sugar entered under
of Agriculture is to conduct a review to period is provided for interested this tariff-rate quota is reserved for
ascertain whether a referendum is persons to provide comments to be used organic sugar and other specialty sugars
needed. In such a referendum, by USDA in its review. All interested not currently produced commercially in
producers and importers would persons are invited to submit written the United States or reasonably
determine whether they favor comments. available from domestic sources.
continuation of the amendments to the Dated: February 7, 2017.
Order provided for in the Cotton Authority: 7 U.S.C. 2101–2118.
Jason Hafemeister,
Research and Promotion Act Dated: February 21, 2017.
Acting Deputy Under Secretary, Farm and
Amendments of 1990. These Bruce Summers,
Foreign Agricultural Services.
amendments to the Order were Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing
[FR Doc. 2017–03826 Filed 2–24–17; 8:45 am]
promulgated in final rules published in Service.
BILLING CODE 3410–P
the Federal Register on December 10, [FR Doc. 2017–03709 Filed 2–24–17; 8:45 am]
1991 (56 FR 64470), corrected at 56 FR BILLING CODE 3410–02–P
66670.
The results of the most recent review DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
report of the Cotton Research and DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Submission for OMB Review;
Promotion Program were issued on May Comment Request
29, 2013. USDA announced its view (78 Office of the Secretary
FR 32228) not to conduct a referendum February 22, 2017.
regarding the 1991 amendments to the Increase in Fiscal Year 2017 Specialty The Department of Agriculture has
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
Order. In accordance with Section Sugar Tariff-Rate Quota submitted the following information
8(c)(2) of the Act, USDA provided an AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, USDA. collection requirement(s) to OMB for
opportunity for all eligible persons to ACTION: Notice. review and clearance under the
request a continuance referendum on Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,
the 1991 amendments by making such SUMMARY: The Office of the Secretary of Public Law 104–13. Comments are
a request during a sign-up period. the Department of Agriculture (the requested regarding (1) whether the
During the period of August 3–August Secretary) is providing notice of an collection of information is necessary
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Document Created: 2017-02-25 01:06:03
Document Modified: 2017-02-25 01:06:03
| 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 | Notices | |
| Action | Notice. | |
| Dates | Comments must be received on or before April 28, 2017. | |
| Contact | Shethir M. Riva, Director, Research and Promotion, Cotton and Tobacco Program, AMS, USDA, 100 Riverside Parkway, Suite 101, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22406, telephone (540) 361-2726, facsimile (540) 361-1199, or email at [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 11892 |
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