[Federal Register: August 26, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 165)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 51202-51203]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26au03-21]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
7 CFR Part 1205
[Doc. No. CN-03-003]
Cotton Research and Promotion Program: Section 610 Review
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service.
ACTION: Notice of regulatory review and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This document announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's
(AMS) review of the Cotton Research and Promotion Program (conducted
under the Cotton Research and Promotion Order), under the criteria
contained in Section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA).
DATES: Comments must be received by October 27, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments
concerning the notice to Whitney Rick, Chief, Research and Promotion
Staff, Cotton Program, Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA, Stop 0224,
1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250. Comments should be
submitted in triplicate and will be made available for public
inspection at the above address during regular business hours. Comments
may also be submitted electronically to: cottoncomments@usda.gov. All
comments should reference the docket number and the date and page
number of this issue of the Federal Register. A copy of this notice may
be found at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/cotton/rulemaking.htm.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Whitney Rick, Chief, Research and
Promotion Staff, Cotton Program, AMS, USDA, Stop 0224, 1400
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-0224, telephone (202)
720-2259, facsimile (202) 690-1718, or e-mail at whitney.rick@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Cotton Research and Promotion Act of
1966 (7 U.S.C. 2101 et seq.) 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, not to exceed one percent of the
value of each bale,
[[Page 51203]]
effective January 26, 1977. The current assessment is $1 per bale plus
five-tenths of one percent of the value of the bale and is collected on
every bale of cotton harvested and ginned in the U.S. and on imported
raw cotton and on the non-U.S. cotton content of imported textile and
apparel 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 is composed
of representatives of cotton producers and importers selected by the
Secretary of Agriculture from nominations submitted by eligible
producer and importer organizations. The Cotton Board has thirty-two
members, thirty-two alternate members and one consumer advisor. All
members and alternate members serve terms of three years.
AMS published in the Federal Register (64 FR 8014; February 18,
1999), its plan to review certain regulations, including the Cotton
Research and Promotion Program (conducted under the Cotton Research and
Promotion Order), under criteria contained in Section 610 of the
Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA; 5 U.S.C. 601-612). The plan was
updated in the Federal Register on August 14, 2003 (68 FR 48574).
Because many AMS regulations impact small entities, AMS decided, as a
matter of policy, to review certain regulations which, although they
may not meet the threshold requirement under section 610 of the RFA,
warrant review. Accordingly, this notice and request for comments is
made for the Cotton Research and Promotion Order.
The purpose of the review is to determine whether the Order should
be continued without change, amended, or rescinded (consistent with the
objects of the Cotton Research and Promotion Act of 1966) to minimize
the impacts on small entities. AMS will consider the continued need for
the order; the nature of complaints or comments received from the
public concerning the order; the complexity of the order; the extent to
which the order overlaps, duplicates, or conflicts with other Federal
rules, and, to the extent feasible, with state and local regulations;
and the length of time since the order has been evaluated or the degree
to which technology, economic conditions, or other factors have changed
in the area affected by the order.
Written comments, views, opinions and other information regarding
the order's impact on small business are invited.
Dated: August 20, 2003.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 03-21788 Filed 8-25-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P