83_FR_62682 83 FR 62449 - Pears Grown in Oregon and Washington; Decreased Assessment Rate for Processed Pears

83 FR 62449 - Pears Grown in Oregon and Washington; Decreased Assessment Rate for Processed Pears

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 233 (December 4, 2018)

Page Range62449-62451
FR Document2018-26311

This final rule implements a recommendation from the Processed Pear Committee (Committee) to decrease the assessment rate established for ``summer/fall'' varieties of pears for canning for the 2018-2019 and subsequent fiscal periods. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 233 (Tuesday, December 4, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 233 (Tuesday, December 4, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 62449-62451]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-26311]



========================================================================
Rules and Regulations
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents 
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed 
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published 
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.

The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents. 

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 233 / Tuesday, December 4, 2018 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 62449]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 927

[Doc. No. AMS-SC-18-0049; SC18-927-2 FR]


Pears Grown in Oregon and Washington; Decreased Assessment Rate 
for Processed Pears

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This final rule implements a recommendation from the Processed 
Pear Committee (Committee) to decrease the assessment rate established 
for ``summer/fall'' varieties of pears for canning for the 2018-2019 
and subsequent fiscal periods. The assessment rate will remain in 
effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.

DATES: Effective January 3, 2019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dale Novotny, Marketing Specialist, or 
Gary Olson, Regional Director, Northwest Marketing Field Office, 
Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Specialty Crops 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 
Richard Lower, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Specialty Crops 
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 action, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553, 
amends regulations issued to carry out a marketing order as defined in 
7 CFR 900.2(j). This rule is issued under Marketing Order No. 927, as 
amended (7 CFR part 927), regulating the handling of pears grown in 
Oregon and Washington. Part 927, (referred to as 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 
Committee locally administers the Order and is comprised of growers, 
handlers, and processors operating within the area of production, and a 
public member.
    The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing this rule in 
conformance with Executive Orders 13563 and 13175. This rule falls 
within a category of regulatory actions that the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) exempted from Executive Order 12866 review. 
Additionally, because this rule does not meet the definition of a 
significant regulatory action, it does not trigger the requirements 
contained in Executive Order 13771. See OMB's Memorandum titled 
``Interim Guidance Implementing Section 2 of the Executive Order of 
January 30, 2017, titled `Reducing Regulation and Controlling 
Regulatory Costs'[thinsp]'' (February 2, 2017).
    This rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil 
Justice Reform. Under the Order now in effect, Oregon and Washington 
pear handlers are subject to assessments. Funds to administer the Order 
are derived from such assessments. The assessment rate established by 
this rule will be applicable to all ``summer/fall'' varieties of pears 
specifically used for canning for the 2018-2019 fiscal period, 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.
    The 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 Committee 
members are familiar with the Committee's needs and with the costs of 
goods and services in their local area and can formulate an appropriate 
budget and assessment rate. The assessment rate is formulated and 
discussed in a public meeting where all directly affected persons have 
an opportunity to participate and provide input.
    This final rule decreases the assessment rate from $8.00 per ton, 
the rate that was established for the 2017-2018 and subsequent fiscal 
periods, to $7.15 per ton of ``summer/fall'' varieties of pears for 
canning handled for the 2018-2019 and subsequent fiscal periods. The 
assessment rate for ``winter'' and ``other'' pears for processing will 
remain unchanged at $0.00. The Committee met on May 30, 2018, and 
unanimously recommended 2018-2019 fiscal period expenditures of 
$693,472. In comparison, last year's budgeted expenditures were 
$800,150. The Committee also unanimously recommended an assessment rate 
of $7.15 per ton of ``summer/fall'' varieties of pears for canning 
handled. The new assessment rate of $7.15 per ton is $0.85 lower than 
the previous $8.00 per ton rate. The Committee recommended the lower 
assessment rate to balance assessment revenue with its budgeted 
expenditures and to maintain its monetary reserve at levels authorized 
by the Order.
    The major expenditures recommended by the Committee for the 2018-
2019 fiscal period include $495,000 for promotion and paid advertising, 
$136,172 for research, $15,000 for market access programs, $25,000 for 
administrative and management services, and $22,300 for Committee 
expenses. In comparison, these major expense categories for the 2017-
2018 fiscal period were budgeted at $591,030, $147,694, $14,576, 
$25,000, and $21,850; respectively.
    The assessment rate recommended by the Committee was derived by 
considering anticipated expenses, expected shipments, and the amount of

[[Page 62450]]

funds available in the authorized reserve. The quantity of assessable 
``summer/fall'' pears for canning for the 2018-2019 fiscal period is 
estimated at 100,000 tons. Thus, the recommended $7.15 per ton 
assessment rate is expected to provide handler assessments of $715,000. 
This amount will be adequate to cover budgeted expenses of $693,472, 
with any excess funds used to make a small contribution to the 
Committee's monetary reserve. Funds in the reserve (currently $497,565) 
will be kept within the maximum permitted by Sec.  927.42(a) of 
approximately one fiscal period's expenses.
    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 will be in effect 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 budget for subsequent 
fiscal periods will be reviewed and, as appropriate, approved by USDA.

Final 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 final 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 1,500 growers of pears for processing in 
the production area and approximately 43 handlers of processed pears 
subject to regulation under the Order. Small agricultural producers are 
defined by the Small Business Administration (SBA) as those having 
annual receipts less than $750,000, and small agricultural service 
firms are defined as those whose annual receipts are less than 
$7,500,000 (13 CFR 121.201).
    According to data from USDA National Agricultural Statistics 
Service (NASS), the Committee, and the industry for the 2016-2017 
season (the most recent complete season of record) the average f.o.b. 
price for Oregon-Washington processed Bartlett pears (the only variety 
used for canning in the production area) was approximately $390.50 per 
ton. Total shipments for that period were approximately 103,020 tons. 
Using the number of handlers, and assuming a normal distribution, the 
majority of handlers may have average annual receipts of less than 
$7,500,000 ($390.50 per ton times 103,020 tons equals $40,229,310 
divided by 43 handlers equals $935,565 per handler).
    In addition, based on data from the Committee, the industry 
produced 103,020 tons of processed pears in the production area during 
the 2016-2017 season, with an average grower price of $360 per ton. 
Based on the average grower price, production, and the total number of 
Oregon-Washington processed pear growers reported by the Committee 
(1,500), and assuming a normal distribution, the average annual grower 
revenue is below $750,000 ($360 per ton times 103,020 tons equals 
$37,087,200 divided by 1,500 growers equals $24,725 per grower). Thus, 
the majority of Oregon and Washington processed pear handlers and 
growers may be classified as small entities.
    This rule decreases the assessment rate collected from handlers for 
the 2018-2019 and subsequent fiscal periods from $8.00 per ton to $7.15 
per ton of Oregon and Washington ``summer/fall'' pears for canning 
handled. The Committee unanimously recommended 2018-2019 fiscal period 
expenditures of $693,472 and the $7.15 per ton assessment rate. The 
assessment rate of $7.15 per ton is $0.85 lower than the previous rate 
in effect for the 2017-2018 fiscal period. The quantity of assessable 
``summer/fall'' pears for canning for the 2018-2019 fiscal period is 
estimated at 100,000 tons. Thus, the $7.15 per ton rate should provide 
$715,000 in assessment income. Income derived from handler assessments 
should be adequate to cover budgeted expenses, with any excess funds to 
be carried over in the Committee's monetary reserve to be used in 
subsequent years.
    The major expenditures recommended by the Committee for the 2018-
2019 fiscal period include $495,000 for promotion and paid advertising, 
$136,172 for research, $15,000 for market access programs, $25,000 for 
administrative and management services, and $22,300 for Committee 
expenses. In comparison, these major expense categories for the 2017-
2018 fiscal period were budgeted at $591,030, $147,694, $14,576, 
$25,000, and $21,850, respectively.
    The new, lower assessment rate is necessary to balance assessment 
revenue with the Committee's 2018-2019 fiscal period budgeted 
expenditures and to maintain its monetary reserve at levels authorized 
in the Order.
    Prior to arriving at this budget and assessment rate, the Committee 
considered the benefits and costs related to maintaining the previous 
assessment rate of $8.00 per ton and establishing other assessment 
rates. However, leaving the assessment rate unchanged would have 
generated more revenue than required to meet the Committee's 2018-2019 
fiscal period budgeted expenses of $693,472, and would have added a 
large amount of excess funds to the Committee's already sufficient 
monetary reserve. Based on estimated shipments, the assessment rate of 
$7.15 per ton is expected to provide $715,000 in assessment income. The 
Committee determined assessment revenue will be adequate to fully cover 
budgeted expenditures for the 2018-2019 fiscal period, with a small 
amount of excess funds to be added to the Committee's monetary reserve. 
Reserve funds will be kept within the amount authorized by the Order.
    A review of historical information and preliminary information 
pertaining to the upcoming fiscal year indicates that the average 
grower price for the 2018-2019 season should be approximately $296 per 
ton of pears for processing. Therefore, the estimated assessment 
revenue for the 2018-2019 fiscal period as a percentage of total grower 
revenue is about 2.4 percent ($7.15 per ton assessment divided by $296 
per ton grower price).
    This action decreases the assessment obligation imposed on handlers 
for the 2018-2019 and subsequent fiscal periods. Assessments are 
applied uniformly on all handlers, and some of the costs may be passed 
on to producers. However, decreasing the assessment rate will reduce 
the burden on handlers, and may reduce the burden on producers.
    The Committee's meetings were widely publicized throughout the

[[Page 62451]]

Oregon and Washington processed pear industry. All interested persons 
were invited to attend the meetings and participate in Committee 
deliberations on all issues. Like all Committee meetings, the May 30, 
2018, meeting was a public meeting and all entities, both large and 
small, were able to express views on this issue.
    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 OMB and assigned OMB No. 0581-0189, Fruit Crops. 
No changes in those requirements are necessary because of this action. 
Should any changes become necessary, they will be submitted to OMB for 
approval.
    This rule does not impose any additional reporting or recordkeeping 
requirements on either small or large Oregon and Washington processed 
pear 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. USDA has not 
identified any relevant Federal rules that duplicate, overlap, or 
conflict with this final rule.
    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.
    A proposed rule concerning this action was published in the Federal 
Register on September 12, 2018 (83 FR 46119). Copies of the proposed 
rule were also mailed or sent via facsimile to all Oregon and 
Washington fresh pear handlers. The proposal was made available through 
the internet by USDA and the Office of the Federal Register. A 30-day 
comment period ending October 12, 2018, was provided for interested 
persons to respond to the proposal. Two comments were received during 
the comment period. The first comment was in support of the action. The 
second comment was a negative opinion on marketing orders in general 
and did not address the specific proposed rulemaking action. 
Accordingly, no changes will be made to the rule as proposed, based on 
the comments received.
    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/rules-regulations/moa/small-businesses. Any questions 
about the compliance guide should be sent to Richard Lower 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, will tend to 
effectuate the declared policy of the Act.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 927

    Marketing agreements, Pears, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 7 CFR part 927 is 
amended as follows:

PART 927--PEARS GROWN IN OREGON AND WASHINGTON

0
1. The authority citation for part 927 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601-674.

0
2. Section 927.237 is amended by revising the introductory text and 
paragraph (a) to read as follows:


Sec.  927.237  Assessment rate.

    On and after July 1, 2018, the following base rates of assessment 
for pears for processing are established for the Processed Pear 
Committee:
    (a) $7.15 per ton for any or all varieties or subvarieties of pears 
for canning classified as ``summer/fall'' excluding pears for other 
methods of processing;
* * * * *

    Dated: November 29, 2018.
Bruce Summers,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-26311 Filed 12-3-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-02-P



                                                                                                                                                     62449

     Rules and Regulations                                                                                         Federal Register
                                                                                                                   Vol. 83, No. 233

                                                                                                                   Tuesday, December 4, 2018



     This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER                    CFR part 927), regulating the handling                provided an action is filed not later than
     contains regulatory documents having general            of pears grown in Oregon and                          20 days after the date of the entry of the
     applicability and legal effect, most of which           Washington. Part 927, (referred to as the             ruling.
     are keyed to and codified in the Code of                ‘‘Order’’) is effective under the                        The Order provides authority for the
     Federal Regulations, which is published under           Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act                  Committee, with the approval of USDA,
     50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
                                                             of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601–674),               to formulate an annual budget of
     The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by              hereinafter referred to as the ‘‘Act.’’ The           expenses and collect assessments from
     the Superintendent of Documents.                        Committee locally administers the                     handlers to administer the program. The
                                                             Order and is comprised of growers,                    Committee members are familiar with
                                                             handlers, and processors operating                    the Committee’s needs and with the
     DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE                               within the area of production, and a                  costs of goods and services in their local
                                                             public member.                                        area and can formulate an appropriate
     Agricultural Marketing Service                             The Department of Agriculture                      budget and assessment rate. The
                                                             (USDA) is issuing this rule in                        assessment rate is formulated and
     7 CFR Part 927                                          conformance with Executive Orders                     discussed in a public meeting where all
     [Doc. No. AMS–SC–18–0049; SC18–927–2                    13563 and 13175. This rule falls within               directly affected persons have an
     FR]                                                     a category of regulatory actions that the             opportunity to participate and provide
                                                             Office of Management and Budget                       input.
     Pears Grown in Oregon and                               (OMB) exempted from Executive Order                      This final rule decreases the
     Washington; Decreased Assessment                        12866 review. Additionally, because                   assessment rate from $8.00 per ton, the
     Rate for Processed Pears                                this rule does not meet the definition of             rate that was established for the 2017–
                                                             a significant regulatory action, it does              2018 and subsequent fiscal periods, to
     AGENCY:  Agricultural Marketing Service,
                                                             not trigger the requirements contained                $7.15 per ton of ‘‘summer/fall’’ varieties
     USDA.
                                                             in Executive Order 13771. See OMB’s                   of pears for canning handled for the
     ACTION: Final rule.                                     Memorandum titled ‘‘Interim Guidance                  2018–2019 and subsequent fiscal
     SUMMARY:   This final rule implements a                 Implementing Section 2 of the Executive               periods. The assessment rate for
     recommendation from the Processed                       Order of January 30, 2017, titled                     ‘‘winter’’ and ‘‘other’’ pears for
     Pear Committee (Committee) to decrease                  ‘Reducing Regulation and Controlling                  processing will remain unchanged at
     the assessment rate established for                     Regulatory Costs’ ’’ (February 2, 2017).              $0.00. The Committee met on May 30,
     ‘‘summer/fall’’ varieties of pears for                     This rule has been reviewed under                  2018, and unanimously recommended
     canning for the 2018–2019 and                           Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice                  2018–2019 fiscal period expenditures of
     subsequent fiscal periods. The                          Reform. Under the Order now in effect,                $693,472. In comparison, last year’s
     assessment rate will remain in effect                   Oregon and Washington pear handlers                   budgeted expenditures were $800,150.
     indefinitely unless modified,                           are subject to assessments. Funds to                  The Committee also unanimously
     suspended, or terminated.                               administer the Order are derived from                 recommended an assessment rate of
                                                             such assessments. The assessment rate                 $7.15 per ton of ‘‘summer/fall’’ varieties
     DATES: Effective January 3, 2019.
                                                             established by this rule will be                      of pears for canning handled. The new
     FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dale                   applicable to all ‘‘summer/fall’’ varieties           assessment rate of $7.15 per ton is $0.85
     Novotny, Marketing Specialist, or Gary                  of pears specifically used for canning for            lower than the previous $8.00 per ton
     Olson, Regional Director, Northwest                     the 2018–2019 fiscal period, and                      rate. The Committee recommended the
     Marketing Field Office, Marketing Order                 continue until amended, suspended, or                 lower assessment rate to balance
     and Agreement Division, Specialty                       terminated.                                           assessment revenue with its budgeted
     Crops Program, AMS, USDA;                                  The Act provides that administrative               expenditures and to maintain its
     Telephone: (503) 326–2724, Fax: (503)                   proceedings must be exhausted before                  monetary reserve at levels authorized by
     326–7440, or Email: DaleJ.Novotny@                      parties may file suit in court. Under                 the Order.
     usda.gov or GaryD.Olson@usda.gov.                       section 608c(15)(A) of the Act, any                      The major expenditures
     Small businesses may request                            handler subject to an order may file                  recommended by the Committee for the
     information on complying with this                      with USDA a petition stating that the                 2018–2019 fiscal period include
     regulation by contacting Richard Lower,                 order, any provision of the order, or any             $495,000 for promotion and paid
     Marketing Order and Agreement                           obligation imposed in connection with                 advertising, $136,172 for research,
     Division, Specialty Crops Program,                      the order is not in accordance with law               $15,000 for market access programs,
     AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence                            and request a modification of the order               $25,000 for administrative and
     Avenue SW, STOP 0237, Washington,                       or to be exempted therefrom. Such                     management services, and $22,300 for
     DC 20250–0237; Telephone: (202) 720–                    handler is afforded the opportunity for               Committee expenses. In comparison,
     2491, Fax: (202)720–8938, or Email:                     a hearing on the petition. After the                  these major expense categories for the
     Richard.Lower@usda.gov.                                 hearing, USDA would rule on the                       2017–2018 fiscal period were budgeted
     SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This                         petition. The Act provides that the                   at $591,030, $147,694, $14,576, $25,000,
     action, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553,                       district court of the United States in any            and $21,850; respectively.
     amends regulations issued to carry out                  district in which the handler is an                      The assessment rate recommended by
     a marketing order as defined in 7 CFR                   inhabitant, or has his or her principal               the Committee was derived by
     900.2(j). This rule is issued under                     place of business, has jurisdiction to                considering anticipated expenses,
     Marketing Order No. 927, as amended (7                  review USDA’s ruling on the petition,                 expected shipments, and the amount of


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     62450            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 233 / Tuesday, December 4, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

     funds available in the authorized                       handlers of processed pears subject to                   The major expenditures
     reserve. The quantity of assessable                     regulation under the Order. Small                     recommended by the Committee for the
     ‘‘summer/fall’’ pears for canning for the               agricultural producers are defined by                 2018–2019 fiscal period include
     2018–2019 fiscal period is estimated at                 the Small Business Administration                     $495,000 for promotion and paid
     100,000 tons. Thus, the recommended                     (SBA) as those having annual receipts                 advertising, $136,172 for research,
     $7.15 per ton assessment rate is                        less than $750,000, and small                         $15,000 for market access programs,
     expected to provide handler                             agricultural service firms are defined as             $25,000 for administrative and
     assessments of $715,000. This amount                    those whose annual receipts are less                  management services, and $22,300 for
     will be adequate to cover budgeted                      than $7,500,000 (13 CFR 121.201).                     Committee expenses. In comparison,
     expenses of $693,472, with any excess                      According to data from USDA                        these major expense categories for the
     funds used to make a small contribution                 National Agricultural Statistics Service              2017–2018 fiscal period were budgeted
     to the Committee’s monetary reserve.                    (NASS), the Committee, and the                        at $591,030, $147,694, $14,576, $25,000,
     Funds in the reserve (currently                         industry for the 2016–2017 season (the                and $21,850, respectively.
     $497,565) will be kept within the                       most recent complete season of record)                   The new, lower assessment rate is
     maximum permitted by § 927.42(a) of                     the average f.o.b. price for Oregon-                  necessary to balance assessment
     approximately one fiscal period’s                       Washington processed Bartlett pears                   revenue with the Committee’s 2018–
     expenses.                                               (the only variety used for canning in the             2019 fiscal period budgeted
        The assessment rate established in                   production area) was approximately                    expenditures and to maintain its
     this rule will continue in effect                       $390.50 per ton. Total shipments for                  monetary reserve at levels authorized in
     indefinitely unless modified,                           that period were approximately 103,020                the Order.
     suspended, or terminated by USDA                        tons. Using the number of handlers, and                  Prior to arriving at this budget and
     upon recommendation and information                     assuming a normal distribution, the                   assessment rate, the Committee
     submitted by the Committee, or other                    majority of handlers may have average                 considered the benefits and costs related
     available information.                                  annual receipts of less than $7,500,000               to maintaining the previous assessment
        Although this assessment rate will be                ($390.50 per ton times 103,020 tons                   rate of $8.00 per ton and establishing
     in effect for an indefinite period, the                 equals $40,229,310 divided by 43                      other assessment rates. However,
     Committee will continue to meet prior                   handlers equals $935,565 per handler).                leaving the assessment rate unchanged
     to or during each fiscal period to                         In addition, based on data from the                would have generated more revenue
     recommend a budget of expenses and                      Committee, the industry produced                      than required to meet the Committee’s
     consider recommendations for                            103,020 tons of processed pears in the                2018–2019 fiscal period budgeted
     modification of the assessment rate. The                production area during the 2016–2017                  expenses of $693,472, and would have
     dates and times of Committee meetings                   season, with an average grower price of               added a large amount of excess funds to
     are available from the Committee or                     $360 per ton. Based on the average                    the Committee’s already sufficient
     USDA. Committee meetings are open to                    grower price, production, and the total               monetary reserve. Based on estimated
     the public and interested persons may                   number of Oregon-Washington                           shipments, the assessment rate of $7.15
     express their views at these meetings.                  processed pear growers reported by the                per ton is expected to provide $715,000
     USDA will evaluate Committee                            Committee (1,500), and assuming a                     in assessment income. The Committee
     recommendations and other available                     normal distribution, the average annual               determined assessment revenue will be
     information to determine whether                        grower revenue is below $750,000 ($360                adequate to fully cover budgeted
     modification of the assessment rate is                  per ton times 103,020 tons equals                     expenditures for the 2018–2019 fiscal
     needed. Further rulemaking will be                      $37,087,200 divided by 1,500 growers                  period, with a small amount of excess
     undertaken as necessary. The                            equals $24,725 per grower). Thus, the                 funds to be added to the Committee’s
     Committee’s budget for subsequent                       majority of Oregon and Washington                     monetary reserve. Reserve funds will be
     fiscal periods will be reviewed and, as                 processed pear handlers and growers                   kept within the amount authorized by
     appropriate, approved by USDA.                          may be classified as small entities.                  the Order.
                                                                This rule decreases the assessment                    A review of historical information and
     Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                   rate collected from handlers for the                  preliminary information pertaining to
        Pursuant to requirements set forth in                2018–2019 and subsequent fiscal                       the upcoming fiscal year indicates that
     the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5                 periods from $8.00 per ton to $7.15 per               the average grower price for the 2018–
     U.S.C. 601–612), the Agricultural                       ton of Oregon and Washington                          2019 season should be approximately
     Marketing Service (AMS) has                             ‘‘summer/fall’’ pears for canning                     $296 per ton of pears for processing.
     considered the economic impact of this                  handled. The Committee unanimously                    Therefore, the estimated assessment
     rule on small entities. Accordingly,                    recommended 2018–2019 fiscal period                   revenue for the 2018–2019 fiscal period
     AMS has prepared this final regulatory                  expenditures of $693,472 and the $7.15                as a percentage of total grower revenue
     flexibility analysis.                                   per ton assessment rate. The assessment               is about 2.4 percent ($7.15 per ton
        The purpose of the RFA is to fit                     rate of $7.15 per ton is $0.85 lower than             assessment divided by $296 per ton
     regulatory actions to the scale of                      the previous rate in effect for the 2017–             grower price).
     businesses subject to such actions in                   2018 fiscal period. The quantity of                      This action decreases the assessment
     order that small businesses will not be                 assessable ‘‘summer/fall’’ pears for                  obligation imposed on handlers for the
     unduly or disproportionately burdened.                  canning for the 2018–2019 fiscal period               2018–2019 and subsequent fiscal
     Marketing orders issued pursuant to the                 is estimated at 100,000 tons. Thus, the               periods. Assessments are applied
     Act, and the rules issued thereunder, are               $7.15 per ton rate should provide                     uniformly on all handlers, and some of
     unique in that they are brought about                   $715,000 in assessment income. Income                 the costs may be passed on to
     through group action of essentially                     derived from handler assessments                      producers. However, decreasing the
     small entities acting on their own                      should be adequate to cover budgeted                  assessment rate will reduce the burden
     behalf.                                                 expenses, with any excess funds to be                 on handlers, and may reduce the burden
        There are approximately 1,500                        carried over in the Committee’s                       on producers.
     growers of pears for processing in the                  monetary reserve to be used in                           The Committee’s meetings were
     production area and approximately 43                    subsequent years.                                     widely publicized throughout the


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                      Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 233 / Tuesday, December 4, 2018 / Rules and Regulations                                         62451

     Oregon and Washington processed pear                    at the previously mentioned address in                enlarging the airspace area north of the
     industry. All interested persons were                   the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT                   airport and removing the Notice to
     invited to attend the meetings and                      section.                                              Airmen (NOTAM) part-time status for
     participate in Committee deliberations                     After consideration of all relevant                the airspace. Also, this action reduces
     on all issues. Like all Committee                       material presented, including the                     Class E airspace extending upward from
     meetings, the May 30, 2018, meeting                     information and recommendation                        700 feet above the surface and removes
     was a public meeting and all entities,                  submitted by the Committee and other                  Class E airspace extending upward from
     both large and small, were able to                      available information, it is hereby found             1,200 feet above the surface.
     express views on this issue.                            that this rule, will tend to effectuate the           DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, February 28,
        In accordance with the Paperwork                     declared policy of the Act.                           2019. The Director of the Federal
     Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
                                                             List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 927                    Register approves this incorporation by
     Chapter 35), the Order’s information
                                                                                                                   reference action under Title 1, Code of
     collection requirements have been                         Marketing agreements, Pears,                        Federal Regulations, part 51, subject to
     previously approved by OMB and                          Reporting and recordkeeping                           the annual revision of FAA Order
     assigned OMB No. 0581–0189, Fruit                       requirements.                                         7400.11 and publication of conforming
     Crops. No changes in those                                For the reasons set forth in the                    amendments.
     requirements are necessary because of                   preamble, 7 CFR part 927 is amended as
     this action. Should any changes become                                                                        ADDRESSES: FAA Order 7400.11C,
                                                             follows:
     necessary, they will be submitted to                                                                          Airspace Designations and Reporting
     OMB for approval.                                       PART 927—PEARS GROWN IN                               Points, and subsequent amendments can
        This rule does not impose any                        OREGON AND WASHINGTON                                 be viewed online at http://www.faa.gov/
     additional reporting or recordkeeping                                                                         air_traffic/publications/. For further
     requirements on either small or large                   ■ 1. The authority citation for part 927              information, you can contact the
     Oregon and Washington processed pear                    continues to read as follows:                         Airspace Policy Group, Federal Aviation
     handlers. As with all Federal marketing                     Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601–674.
                                                                                                                   Administration, 800 Independence
     order programs, reports and forms are                                                                         Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591;
     periodically reviewed to reduce                         ■ 2. Section 927.237 is amended by                    telephone: (202) 267–8783. The Order is
     information requirements and                            revising the introductory text and                    also available for inspection at the
     duplication by industry and public                      paragraph (a) to read as follows:                     National Archives and Records
     sector agencies. USDA has not                           § 927.237    Assessment rate.                         Administration (NARA). For
     identified any relevant Federal rules                     On and after July 1, 2018, the                      information on the availability of this
     that duplicate, overlap, or conflict with                                                                     material at NARA, call (202) 741–6030,
                                                             following base rates of assessment for
     this final rule.                                                                                              or go to https://www.archives.gov/
                                                             pears for processing are established for
        AMS is committed to complying with                                                                         federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
     the E-Government Act, to promote the                    the Processed Pear Committee:
                                                               (a) $7.15 per ton for any or all                       FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace
     use of the internet and other                                                                                 Designations and Reporting Points, is
     information technologies to provide                     varieties or subvarieties of pears for
                                                             canning classified as ‘‘summer/fall’’                 published yearly and effective on
     increased opportunities for citizen                                                                           September 15.
     access to Government information and                    excluding pears for other methods of
                                                             processing;                                           FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
     services, and for other purposes.
        A proposed rule concerning this                      *     *     *     *    *                              Bonnie Malgarini, Federal Aviation
     action was published in the Federal                                                                           Administration, Operations Support
                                                               Dated: November 29, 2018.
     Register on September 12, 2018 (83 FR                                                                         Group, Western Service Center, 2200 S
                                                             Bruce Summers,                                        216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198;
     46119). Copies of the proposed rule                     Administrator, Agricultural Marketing
     were also mailed or sent via facsimile to                                                                     telephone (206) 231–2329.
                                                             Service.
     all Oregon and Washington fresh pear                                                                          SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                             [FR Doc. 2018–26311 Filed 12–3–18; 8:45 am]
     handlers. The proposal was made                                                                               Authority for This Rulemaking
                                                             BILLING CODE 3410–02–P
     available through the internet by USDA
     and the Office of the Federal Register. A                                                                       The FAA’s authority to issue rules
     30-day comment period ending October                                                                          regarding aviation safety is found in
     12, 2018, was provided for interested                   DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                          Title 49 of the United States Code.
     persons to respond to the proposal. Two                                                                       Subtitle I, Section 106 describes the
                                                             Federal Aviation Administration                       authority of the FAA Administrator.
     comments were received during the
     comment period. The first comment was                                                                         Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs,
                                                             14 CFR Part 71                                        describes in more detail the scope of the
     in support of the action. The second
     comment was a negative opinion on                       [Docket No. FAA–2018–0034; Airspace                   agency’s authority. This rulemaking is
     marketing orders in general and did not                 Docket No. 17–ANM–34]                                 promulgated under the authority
     address the specific proposed                                                                                 described in Subtitle VII, Part A,
                                                             RIN 2120–AA66                                         Subpart I, Section 40103. Under that
     rulemaking action. Accordingly, no
     changes will be made to the rule as                                                                           section, the FAA is charged with
                                                             Establishment of Class E Airspace;
     proposed, based on the comments                                                                               prescribing regulations to assign the use
                                                             Kemmerer, WY
     received.                                                                                                     of airspace necessary to ensure the
        A small business guide on complying                  AGENCY:  Federal Aviation                             safety of aircraft and the efficient use of
     with fruit, vegetable, and specialty crop               Administration (FAA), DOT.                            airspace. This regulation is within the
     marketing agreements and orders may                     ACTION: Final rule.                                   scope of that authority as it amends
     be viewed at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/                                                                        Class E airspace at Kemmerer Municipal
     rules-regulations/moa/small-businesses.                 SUMMARY:   This action amends Class E                 Airport, Kemmerer, WY, to
     Any questions about the compliance                      surface area airspace at Kemmerer                     accommodate airspace redesign in
     guide should be sent to Richard Lower                   Municipal Airport, Kemmerer, WY, by                   support of IFR operations at the airport.


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Document Created: 2018-12-04 00:43:10
Document Modified: 2018-12-04 00:43:10
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionFinal rule.
DatesEffective January 3, 2019.
ContactDale Novotny, Marketing Specialist, or Gary Olson, Regional Director, Northwest Marketing Field Office, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Specialty Crops 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 Richard Lower, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Specialty Crops 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]
FR Citation83 FR 62449 
CFR AssociatedMarketing Agreements; Pears and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements

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