[Federal Register: December 14, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 239)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 73945]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14de05-19]
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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 73945]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
7 CFR Part 1207
[Docket No. FV-05-711]
Potato Research and Promotion Plan; 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 Potato Research and Promotion Plan (conducted under
the Potato Research and Promotion Act), under the criteria contained in
Section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA).
DATES: Written comments on this document must be received by February
13, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments
concerning this notice of review to the Docket Clerk, Research and
Promotion Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs (FV), Agricultural
Marketing Service (AMS), USDA, Stop 0244, Room 2535-S, 1400
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-0244. 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: Daniel.manzoni@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. A copy of this notice may be found at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/rpdocketlist.htm
.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniel Rafael Manzoni, Research and
Promotion Branch, FV, AMS, USDA, Stop 0244, 1400 Independence Avenue,
SW., Room 2535-S, Washington, DC 20250-0244; telephone: (888) 720-9915;
fax: (202) 205-2800; or e-mail: daniel.manzoni@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Potato Research and Promotion Act of
1971, as amended, (7 U.S.C. 2611 et seq.) authorized the Potato
Research and Promotion Plan which is industry operated and funded, with
oversight by USDA. The Potato Research and Promotion Plan objective is
to carry out an effective and continuous coordinated program of
research, development, advertising, and promotion designed to
strengthen potatoes' competitive position, and to maintain and expand
domestic and foreign markets for potatoes and potato products.
The Potato Research and Promotion Plan (7 CFR part 1207) became
effective on March 9, 1972 and was implemented on September 15, 1972
when assessments began. The plan was amended in May 1984, to increase
the maximum assessment rate from 1 cent per hundredweight to 0.5
percent of the previous 10-year average price received by growers.
Assessments under this program are used to fund promotional
campaigns and to conduct research in the areas of U.S. marketing, and
international marketing and to enable it to exercise its duties in
accordance with the Plan.
The Potato Research and Promotion Plan is administered by the
National Potato Promotion Board (Board), which is composed of producer
members, importer members, and one public member appointed by the
Secretary of Agriculture from nominations submitted by eligible groups.
Producer membership on the Board is based upon potato production within
each State. Importer members, limited to five, are based upon the
amount of potatoes, potato products, and seed potatoes imported into
the U.S. All members serve terms of three years.
AMS published in the Federal Register (63 FR 8014; February 18,
1999) its plan to review certain regulations, including the Potato
Research and Promotion Plan, (conducted under the Potato Research and
Promotion Act), 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 Potato Research and Promotion Plan.
The purpose of the review is to determine whether the Potato
Research and Promotion Plan should be continued without change,
amended, or rescinded (consistent with the objectives of the Potato
Research and Promotion Act of 1971) to minimize the impacts on small
entities. AMS will consider the continued need for the Potato Research
and Promotion Plan; the nature of complaints or comments received from
the public concerning the Potato Research and Promotion Plan; the
complexity of the Potato Research and Promotion Plan; the extent to
which the Potato Research and Promotion Plan 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 Potato
Research and Promotion Plan has been evaluated or the degree to which
technology, economic conditions, or other factors have changed in the
area affected by the Potato Research and Promotion Plan.
Written comments, views, opinions, and other information regarding
the Potato Research and Promotion Plan's impact on small businesses are
invited.
Dated: December 8, 2005.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. E5-7332 Filed 12-13-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P