[Federal Register: December 5, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 232)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 72355-72358]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05de05-5]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
7 CFR Part 985
[Docket No. FV05-985-2 IFR A]
Marketing Order Regulating the Handling of Spearmint Oil Produced
in the Far West; Revision of the Salable Quantity and Allotment
Percentage for Class 3 (Native) Spearmint Oil for the 2005-2006
Marketing Year
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Interim final rule with request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This rule amends a prior interim final rule that increased the
quantity of Class 1 (Scotch) and Class 3 (Native) spearmint oil that
handlers may purchase from, or handle for, producers during the 2005-
2006 marketing year. The prior interim final rule increased the Scotch
spearmint oil salable quantity from 677,409 pounds to 1,062,898 pounds,
and the allotment percentage from 35 percent to 55 percent. In
addition, the prior interim final rule increased the Native spearmint
oil salable quantity from 867,958 pounds to 1,019,600 pounds, and the
allotment percentage from 40 percent to 47 percent. This action does
not affect the Scotch spearmint oil salable quantity and allotment
percentage; however, it increases the Native spearmint oil salable
quantity by an additional 151,855 pounds from 1,019,600 pounds to
1,171,455 pounds, and the allotment percentage by an additional 7
percent from 47 percent to 54 percent. The marketing order regulates
the handling of spearmint oil produced in the Far West and is
administered locally by the Spearmint Oil Administrative Committee
(Committee). The Committee recommended this rule for the purpose of
avoiding extreme fluctuations in supplies and prices and to help
maintain stability in the Far West spearmint oil market.
DATES: Effective June 1, 2005, through May 31, 2006; comments received
by February 3, 2006 will be considered prior to issuance of a final
rule.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments
concerning this rule. Comments must be sent to the Docket Clerk,
Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs,
AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 0237, Washington, DC
20250-0237; Fax: (202) 720-8938; E-mail: moab.docketclerk@usda.gov; or
Internet: http://www.regulations.gov. 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 in the Office
of the Docket Clerk during regular business hours, or can be viewed at:
http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/moab.html.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan M. Hiller, Northwest Marketing
Field Office, Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and
Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA; 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: This rule is issued under Marketing Order
No. 985 (7 CFR part 985), as amended, regulating the handling of
spearmint oil produced in the Far West (Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and
designated parts of Nevada and Utah), 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.''
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing this rule in
conformance with Executive Order 12866.
This rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil
Justice Reform. This rule is not intended to have retroactive effect.
This rule will not preempt any State or local laws, regulations, or
policies, unless they present an irreconcilable conflict with this
rule.
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. A
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 initial salable quantities and allotment percentages for Scotch
and Native spearmint oil for the 2005-2006 marketing year were
recommended by the Committee at its October 6, 2004, meeting. The
Committee recommended salable quantities of 677,409 pounds and 867,958
pounds, and allotment percentages of 35 percent and 40 percent,
respectively, for Scotch and Native spearmint oil. A proposed rule was
published in the Federal Register on January 12, 2005 (70 FR 2027).
Comments on the proposed rule were solicited from interested persons
until February 11, 2005. No comments were received. Subsequently, a
final rule establishing the salable quantities and allotment
percentages for Scotch and Native spearmint oil for the 2005-2006
marketing year was published in the Federal Register on March 24, 2005
(70 FR 14969).
Pursuant to authority contained in Sec. Sec. 985.50, 985.51, and
985.52 of the order, the Committee has made recommendations to increase
the quantity of Scotch and Native spearmint oil that handlers may
purchase from, or handle for, producers during the 2005-2006 marketing
year, which ends on May 31, 2006. An interim final rule was published
in the Federal Register on September 23, 2005 (70 FR 55713), which
increased the 2005-2006 marketing year salable quantities and allotment
percentages for Scotch and Native spearmint oil to 1,062,898 pounds and
55 percent, and 1,019,600 pounds and 47 percent, respectively. Comments
on the interim final rule are being solicited from interested persons
through November 22, 2005.
This rule amends the interim final rule that was published in the
Federal Register on September 23, 2005, and is based on a unanimous
Committee recommendation made at a meeting on October 5, 2005, to
increase the Native spearmint oil salable quantity by an
[[Page 72356]]
additional 151,855 pounds from 1,019,600 pounds to 1,171,455 pounds and
the allotment percentage by an additional 7 percent from 47 percent to
54 percent. The Committee did not make a recommendation to increase the
Scotch spearmint oil salable quantity or allotment percentage by an
additional amount at this time due to stable market conditions.
Thus, taking into consideration the following discussion on
adjustments to the Native spearmint oil salable quantity, this rule
increases the 2005-2006 marketing year salable quantity and allotment
percentage for Native spearmint oil to 1,171,455 pounds and 54 percent,
respectively. The 2005-2006 marketing year salable quantity and
allotment percentage for Scotch spearmint oil remains unchanged at
1,062,898 pounds and 55 percent, respectively.
The salable quantity is the total quantity of each class of oil
that handlers may purchase from, or handle for, producers during the
marketing year. The total salable quantity is divided by the total
industry allotment base to determine an allotment percentage. Each
producer is allotted a share of the salable quantity by applying the
allotment percentage to the producer's individual allotment base for
the applicable class of spearmint oil.
The original total industry allotment base for Native spearmint oil
for the 2005-2006 marketing year was established at 2,169,894 pounds
and was revised at the beginning of the 2005-2006 marketing year to
2,169,362 pounds to reflect a 2004-2005 marketing year loss of 532
pounds of base due to non-production of some producers' total annual
allotments. When the revised total allotment base of 2,169,362 pounds
is applied to the originally established allotment percentage of 40
percent, the initially established 2005-2006 marketing year salable
quantity of 867,958 is effectively modified to 867,745 pounds.
By increasing the salable quantity and allotment percentage, this
rule makes an additional amount of Native spearmint oil available by
releasing oil from the reserve pool. When applied to each individual
producer, this allotment percentage increase allows each producer to
take up to an amount equal to their allotment base from their Native
oil reserve. This action makes an additional 80,766 pounds of Native
spearmint oil available to the market. This figure is less than the
salable quantity increase because not all producers have enough Native
spearmint oil left in their reserves to take full advantage of this
release. In addition, pursuant to Sec. Sec. 985.56 and 985.156,
producers with excess oil are not able to transfer such excess oil to
other producers to fill deficiencies in annual allotments after
November 1 of each marketing year. Since this increase in the Native
spearmint oil salable quantity is effective after November 1, 71,089
pounds of the 151,855 pound increase is not being made available.
The following table summarizes the Committee recommendation:
Native Spearmint Oil Recommendation
(A) Estimated 2005-2006 Allotment Base--2,169,894 pounds. This is
the estimate on which the original 2005-2006 Native spearmint oil
salable quantity and allotment percentage was based.
(B) Revised 2005-2006 Allotment Base--2,169,362 pounds. This is 532
pounds less than the estimated allotment base of 2,169,894 pounds. This
is less because some producers failed to produce all of their 2004-2005
allotment.
(C) Initial 2005-2006 Allotment Percentage--40 percent. This was
recommended by the Committee on October 6, 2004.
(D) Initial 2005-2006 Salable Quantity--867,958. This figure is 40
percent of 2,169,894 pounds.
(E) Initial Adjustment to the 2005-2006 Salable Quantity--867,745
pounds. This figure reflects the salable quantity initially available
after the beginning of the 2005-2006 marketing year due to the 532
pound reduction in the industry allotment base to 2,169,362 pounds.
(F) First Revision to the 2005-2006 Salable Quantity and Allotment
Percentage.
(1) Increase in Allotment Percentage--7 percent. The Committee
recommended a 7 percent increase at its August 24, 2005, meeting.
(2) 2005-2006 Allotment Percentage--47 percent. This figure is
derived by adding the increase of 7 percent to the initial 2005-2006
allotment percentage of 40 percent.
(3) Calculated Revised 2005-2006 Salable Quantity--1,019,600
pounds. This figure is 47 percent of the revised 2005-2006 allotment
base of 2,169,362 pounds.
(4) Computed Increase in the 2005-2006 Salable Quantity--151,855
pounds. This figure is 7 percent of the revised 2005-2006 allotment
base of 2,169,362 pounds.
(G) Second (current) Revision to the 2005-2006 Salable Quantity and
Allotment Percentage.
(1) Increase in Allotment Percentage--7 percent. The Committee
recommended a 7 percent increase at its October 5, 2005, meeting.
(2) 2005-2006 Allotment Percentage--54 percent. This figure is
derived by adding the increase of 7 percent to the initial 2005-2006
allotment percentage of 47 percent.
(3) Calculated Revised 2005-2006 Salable Quantity--1,171,455
pounds. This figure is 54 percent of the revised 2005-2006 allotment
base of 2,169,362 pounds.
(4) Computed Increase in the 2005-2006 Salable Quantity--151,855
pounds. This figure is 7 percent of the revised 2005-2006 allotment
base of 2,169,362 pounds.
In making this recommendation, the Committee considered all
available information on price, supply, and demand. The Committee also
considered reports and other information from handlers and producers in
attendance at the meeting and reports given by the Committee manager
from handlers who were not in attendance. The 2005-2006 marketing year
began on June 1, 2005. Handlers have reported purchases and committed
sales of 1,051,031 pounds of Native spearmint oil for the period of
June 1, 2005, through October 5, 2005. This amount is 109 percent of
the total sales for the five-year average of 962,377 pounds. Handlers
estimated the total demand for the 2005-2006 marketing year could be
between 1,100,000 pounds to 1,300,000 pounds. These amounts exceed the
five-year average for an entire marketing year by 137,623 pounds to
337,623 pounds. Therefore, based on past history, the industry may not
be able to meet market demand without this increase. When the Committee
made its initial recommendation for the establishment of the Native
spearmint oil salable quantity and allotment percentage for the 2005-
2006 marketing year, it had anticipated that the year would end with an
ample available supply.
Based on its analysis of available information, USDA has determined
that the salable quantity and allotment percentage for Native spearmint
oil for the 2005-2006 marketing year should be increased to 1,171,455
pounds and 54 percent, respectively.
This rule relaxes the regulation of Native spearmint oil and will
allow for market needs and improve producer returns. In conjunction
with the issuance of this rule, the Committee's revised marketing
policy statement for the 2005-2006 marketing year has been reviewed by
USDA. The Committee's marketing policy statement, a requirement
whenever the Committee recommends implementing volume
[[Page 72357]]
regulations or recommends revisions to existing volume regulations,
meets the intent of Sec. 985.50 of the order. During its discussion of
revising the 2005-2006 salable quantities and allotment percentages,
the Committee considered: (1) The estimated quantity of salable oil of
each class held by producers and handlers; (2) the estimated demand for
each class of oil; (3) prospective production of each class of oil; (4)
total of allotment bases of each class of oil for the current marketing
year and the estimated total of allotment bases of each class for the
ensuing marketing year; (5) the quantity of reserve oil, by class, in
storage; (6) producer prices of oil, including prices for each class of
oil; and (7) general market conditions for each class of oil, including
whether the estimated season average price to producers is likely to
exceed parity. Conformity with USDA's ``Guidelines for Fruit,
Vegetable, and Specialty Crop Marketing Orders'' has also been reviewed
and confirmed.
The increase in the Native spearmint oil salable quantity and
allotment percentage allows for anticipated market needs for this class
of oil. In determining anticipated market needs, consideration by the
Committee was given to historical sales, and changes and trends in
production and demand.
As noted earlier, the Committee chose not to recommend an
additional increase in Scotch spearmint oil at this time because of the
stable market conditions. Handlers had reported purchases and committed
sales of 792,382 pounds of Scotch spearmint oil for the period of June
1, 2005, through October 5, 2005. Handlers estimate that the total
demand for the 2005-2006 marketing year could be between 800,000 pounds
and 950,000 pounds. Therefore, the current salable quantity of
1,019,600 pounds should adequately supply the 2005-2006 marketing year.
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
Pursuant to requirements set forth in the Regulatory Flexibility
Act (RFA), the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has considered the
economic impact of this action on small entities. Accordingly, AMS has
prepared this initial regulatory flexibility analysis.
The purpose of the RFA is to fit regulatory actions to the scale of
business 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. Thus, both statutes have small
entity orientation and compatibility.
There are eight spearmint oil handlers subject to regulation under
the order, and approximately 56 producers of Scotch spearmint oil and
approximately 88 producers of Native spearmint oil in the regulated
production area. Small agricultural service firms are defined by the
Small Business Administration (SBA) (13 CFR 121.201) as those having
annual receipts of less than $6,000,000, and small agricultural
producers are defined as those having annual receipts of less than
$750,000.
Based on the SBA's definition of small entities, the Committee
estimates that 2 of the 8 handlers regulated by the order could be
considered small entities. Most of the handlers are large corporations
involved in the international trading of essential oils and the
products of essential oils. In addition, the Committee estimates that
14 of the 56 Scotch spearmint oil producers and 18 of the 88 Native
spearmint oil producers could be classified as small entities under the
SBA definition. Thus, a majority of handlers and producers of Far West
spearmint oil may not be classified as small entities.
The Far West spearmint oil industry is characterized by producers
whose farming operations generally involve more than one commodity, and
whose income from farming operations is not exclusively dependent on
the production of spearmint oil. A typical spearmint oil-producing
operation has enough acreage for rotation such that the total acreage
required to produce the crop is about one-third spearmint and two-
thirds rotational crops. Thus, the typical spearmint oil producer has
to have considerably more acreage than is planted to spearmint during
any given season. Crop rotation is an essential cultural practice in
the production of spearmint for weed, insect, and disease control. To
remain economically viable with the added costs associated with
spearmint oil production, most spearmint oil-producing farms fall into
the SBA category of large businesses.
Small spearmint oil producers generally are not as extensively
diversified as larger ones and as such are more at risk to market
fluctuations. Such small producers generally need to market their
entire annual crop and do not have the luxury of having other crops to
cushion seasons with poor spearmint oil returns. Conversely, large
diversified producers have the potential to endure one or more seasons
of poor spearmint oil markets because income from alternative crops
could support the operation for a period of time. Being reasonably
assured of a stable price and market provides small producing entities
with the ability to maintain proper cash flow and to meet annual
expenses. Thus, the market and price stability provided by the order
potentially benefit the small producer more than such provisions
benefit large producers. Even though a majority of handlers and
producers of spearmint oil may not be classified as small entities, the
volume control feature of this order has small entity orientation.
This rule amends an interim final rule that was published in the
Federal Register on September 23, 2005, and is based on a unanimous
Committee recommendation made at a meeting on October 5, 2005, to
increase the Native spearmint oil salable quantity by an additional
151,855 pounds from 1,019,600 pounds to 1,171,455 pounds, and the
allotment percentage by an additional 7 percent from 47 percent to 54
percent. The Committee did not make a recommendation to further
increase the Scotch spearmint oil salable quantity or allotment
percentage at this time due to stable market conditions.
An econometric model was used to assess the impact that volume
control has on the prices producers receive for their commodity.
Without volume control, spearmint oil markets would likely be over-
supplied, resulting in low producer prices and a large volume of oil
stored and carried over to the next crop year. The model estimates how
much lower producer prices would likely be in the absence of volume
controls.
The recommended allotment percentages, upon which 2005-2006
producer allotments are based, are 55 percent for Scotch (a 20
percentage point increase from the original allotment percentage of 35
percent) and 54 percent for Native (a 14 percentage point increase from
the original salable percentage of 40 percent). Without volume
controls, producers would not be limited to these allotment levels, and
could produce and sell additional spearmint oil. The econometric model
estimated a $1.32 decline in the season average producer price per
pound (from both classes of spearmint oil) resulting from the higher
quantities that would be produced and marketed if volume controls were
not used (i.e., if the salable percentages were set at 100 percent).
Loosening the volume control restriction by increasing the
allotment percentages resulted in this revised price decline estimate
of $1.32 per pound if volume controls were not used. The initial price
decline estimate of
[[Page 72358]]
$1.60 per pound was based on the 2005-2006 allotment percentages (35
percent for Scotch and 40 percent for Native) published in the Federal
Register on March 24, 2005 (70 FR 14969). The 2004 Far West producer
price for both classes of spearmint oil was $9.48 per pound.
The surplus situation for the spearmint oil market that would exist
without volume controls in 2005-2006 also would likely dampen prospects
for improved producer prices in future years because of the buildup in
stocks.
The use of volume controls allows the industry to fully supply
spearmint oil markets while avoiding the negative consequences of over-
supplying these markets. The use of volume controls is believed to have
little or no effect on consumer prices of products containing spearmint
oil and will not result in fewer retail sales of such products.
Based on projections available at the October 5, 2005, meeting, the
Committee considered alternatives to the recommended Native spearmint
oil increase. The Committee not only considered leaving the salable
quantity and allotment percentage unchanged, but also looked at various
increases ranging from 0 percent to 10 percent. The Committee reached
its recommendations to increase the salable quantity and allotment
percentage for Native spearmint oil after careful consideration of all
available information, and believes that the levels recommended will
achieve the objectives sought. Without the increase, the Committee
believes the industry would not be able to meet market needs.
This rule will not impose any additional reporting or recordkeeping
requirements on either small or large spearmint oil 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.
In addition, USDA has not identified any relevant Federal rules
that duplicate, overlap or conflict with this rule.
Further, the Committee's meetings were widely publicized throughout
the spearmint oil industry and all interested persons were invited to
attend and participate in Committee deliberations. Like all Committee
meetings, the August 24, 2005, and October 5, 2005, meetings were
public meetings and all entities, both large and small, were able to
express their views on modification of the 2005-2006 salable quantities
and allotment percentages. Finally, interested persons are invited to
submit information on the regulatory and informational impacts of this
action on small businesses.
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/fv/moab.html.
Any questions about the compliance
guide should be sent to Jay Guerber at the previously mentioned address
in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.
This rule invites comments on a further change to the salable
quantity and allotment percentage for Native spearmint oil for the
2005-2006 marketing year. Any comments received will be considered
prior to finalization of this rule.
After consideration of all relevant material presented, including
the Committee's recommendation, and other information, it is found that
this interim final rule, as hereinafter set forth, will tend to
effectuate the declared policy of the Act.
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553, it is also found and determined upon good
cause that it is impracticable, unnecessary, and contrary to the public
interest to give preliminary notice prior to putting this rule into
effect and that good cause exists for not postponing the effective date
of this rule until 30 days after publication in the Federal Register
because: (1) This rule increases the quantity of Native spearmint oil
that may be marketed during the marketing year which ends on May 31,
2006; (2) the current quantity of Native spearmint oil may be
inadequate to meet demand for the remainder of the marketing year, thus
making the additional oil available as soon as is practicable is
beneficial to both handlers and producers; (3) the Committee
recommended these changes at a public meeting and interested parties
had an opportunity to provide input; and (4) this rule provides a 60-
day comment period and any comments received will be considered prior
to finalization of this rule.
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 985
Marketing agreements, Oils and fats, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Spearmint oil.
0
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 7 CFR part 985 is amended as
follows:
PART 985--MARKETING ORDER REGULATING THE HANDLING OF SPEARMINT OIL
PRODUCED IN THE FAR WEST
0
1. The authority citation for 7 CFR part 985 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601-674.
0
2. In Sec. 985.224, paragraph (b) is revised to read as follows:
[Note: This section will not appear in the annual Code of
Federal Regulations.]
Sec. 985.224 Salable quantities and allotment percentages--2005-2006
marketing year.
* * * * *
(b) Class 3 (Native) oil--a salable quantity of 1,171,455 pounds
and an allotment percentage of 54 percent.
Dated: November 11, 2005.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 05-23620 Filed 12-2-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P