[Federal Register: December 2, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 231)]
[Proposed Rules]               
[Page 72257]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02de05-7]                         

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Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

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[[Page 72257]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 1220

[No. LS-05-07]

 
Soybean Promotion and Research Program; Section 610 Review

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of review and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This action announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's 
(AMS) review of the Soybean Promotion and Research Program (conducted 
under the Soybean Promotion and Research Order), under the criteria 
contained in section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA).

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by January 31, 
2006.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments 
concerning this notice of review. Comments must be sent to Kenneth R. 
Payne, Chief, Marketing Programs, Livestock and Seed Program, AMS, 
USDA, Room 2638-S, STOP 0251, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20250-0251; Fax: (202) 720-1125; or via e-mail at 
soybeancomments@usda.gov. All comments should reference the docket 

number, the date, and the page number of this issue of the Federal 
Register. Comments will be available for public inspection via the 
Internet at http://www.ams.usda.gov/lsg/mpb/rp-soy.htm or during 

regular business hours.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth R. Payne, Chief; Marketing 
Programs Branch; Livestock and Seed Program, AMS, USDA; STOP-0251; 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-0251. Telephone number 
202/720-1115.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Soybean Promotion and Research Order 
(Order) (7 CFR 1220) is authorized under the Soybean Promotion, 
Research, and Consumer Information Act (Act) (7 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.). 
This program is a national producer program for soybean and soybean 
product promotion, research, consumer information, and industry 
information as part of a comprehensive strategy to strengthen the 
soybean industry's position in the marketplace by maintaining and 
expanding existing domestic and foreign markets and uses for soybeans 
and soybean products, and to develop new markets and uses for soybean 
and soybean products. Soybean producers fund this program through a 
mandatory assessment of one-half of one percent (0.5 percent) of the 
net market price per bushel on soybeans marketed. Assessments collected 
under this program are used for promotion, research, consumer 
information, and industry information.
    The national program is administered by the United Soybean Board 
(Board), which has 64 producer members. Board members serve 3-year 
terms and represent one of 30 geographic units. The Order became 
effective on July 9, 1991.
    AMS published in the Federal Register (64 FR 8014; February 18, 
1999), its plan to review certain regulations.
    On January 4, 2002, AMS published in the Federal Register (67 FR 
525), an update to its plan to review regulations, including the 
Soybean Promotion and Research Program (conducted under the Soybean 
Promotion and Research Order), under criteria contained in section 610 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA; 5 U.S.C. 601-612). 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 
Order.
    The purpose of the review is to determine whether the Order should 
be continued without change, amended, or rescinded (consistent with the 
objectives of the Act) 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 promotion Order 
overlaps, duplicates, or conflicts with other Federal rules, and, to 
the extent feasible, with State and local government rules; 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 businesses are invited.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 6301-6311.

    Dated: November 28, 2005.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
 [FR Doc. E5-6786 Filed 12-1-05; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-02-P