[Federal Register: March 31, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 61)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 15388]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr31mr03-36]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
7 CFR Part 956
[Docket No. FV02-956-1 PR]
Sweet Onions Grown in the Walla Walla Valley of Southeast
Washington and Northeast Oregon; Withdrawal of a Proposed Rule
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Withdrawal of proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: This action withdraws a proposed rule published in the Federal
Register on July 22, 2002 (67 FR 47741), and reopened for further
comments on November 1, 2002 (67 FR 66578), on the establishment of
grade and inspection requirements for Walla Walla sweet onions. The
order regulates the handling of sweet onions grown in the Walla Walla
Valley of Southeast Washington and Northeast Oregon and is administered
locally by the Walla Walla Sweet Onion Marketing Committee (Committee).
The Committee met on November 21, 2002, and unanimously recommended
changes to its original recommendation. The administrative record
raises questions as to the nature and purpose of the proposal and
possible alternatives. Therefore, the proposed rule is being withdrawn
for further consideration by the Committee.
DATES: Effective April 1, 2003.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert J. Curry, Northwest Marketing
Field Office, Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and
Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 1220 SW Third Avenue, Suite 385,
Portland. Oregon 97204; telephone: (503) 326-2724, Fax: (503) 326-7440;
or George Kelhart, Technical Advisor, Marketing Order Administration
Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence
Avenue SW., STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; telephone: (202) 720-
2491, Fax: (202) 720-8938.
Small businesses may request information on complying with this
regulation by contacting Jay Guerber, Marketing Order Administration
Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence
Avenue SW., STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; telephone: (202) 720-
2491, Fax: (202) 720-8938, or E-mail: Jay.Guerber@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Marketing Agreement and Order No. 956, both
as amended (7 CFR part 956), regulate the handling of Walla Walla sweet
onions grown in Southeast Washington and Northeast Oregon, hereinafter
referred to as the ``order.'' The order is effective under the
Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-
674), hereinafter referred to as the ``Act.''
This action withdraws a proposed rule published in the Federal
Register on July 22, 2002 (67 FR 47741), and reopened for further
comments on November 1, 2002 (67 FR 66578), on the establishment of
grade and inspection requirements for Walla Walla sweet onions.
Specifically, the proposed rule would have required all Walla Walla
sweet onions handled prior to June 10 of each marketing season to be
inspected and be at least U.S. Commercial grade. In addition, the
Committee would have funded the total cost of all required inspections.
The primary intent behind the proposal was to help ensure the maturity
and marketability of early season sweet onions. A secondary goal was to
help prevent onions from other production areas from being mislabeled
and marketed as Walla Walla sweet onions.
During the initial comment period, July 22 through September 20,
the Department of Agriculture (USDA) received one timely comment. This
comment, which may be reviewed on the Internet at http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/modockets/956%20comments/2002onions.htm
, raised
several questions regarding the proposal. To facilitate further public
review of the proposed rule, USDA reopened the comment period from
November 1 through November 22, 2002.
During the reopened comment period, the Committee met and
unanimously recommended early mandatory inspections on Walla Walla
sweet onions, but prior to June 1 of each year rather than June 10 as
originally recommended. The Committee believes that a requirement for
valid inspection certificates on all lots of Walla Walla sweet onions
being shipped prior to June 1 would enhance compliance efforts in the
prevention of the misrepresentation and mislabeling of onions.
The administrative record raises questions as to the nature and
purpose of the proposal and possible alternatives. Therefore, the
proposed rule is being withdrawn for further consideration by the
Committee.
The proposed rule regarding the establishment of grade and
inspection requirements for sweet onions grown in the Walla Walla
Valley of Southeast Washington and Northeast Oregon published in the
Federal Register July 22, 2002, (67 FR 47741) is hereby withdrawn.
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 956
Marketing Agreements, Onions, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601-674.
Dated: March 24, 2003.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 03-7632 Filed 3-28-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P