[Federal Register: November 5, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 213)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 62417]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05no07-10]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
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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 62417]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
7 CFR Part 51
[Docket No. AMS-FV-2007-0008; FV-06-310]
United States Standards for Grades of Florida Avocados
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Advance notice on proposed rulemaking; withdrawal.
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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is withdrawing an
advance notice of proposed rulemaking soliciting comments on possible
revisions to the voluntary United States Standards for Grades of
Florida Avocados. After reviewing and considering the comments
received, the agency has decided not to proceed further with this
action.
DATES: The advance notice of proposed rulemaking is withdrawn as of
November 5, 2007.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vincent J. Fusaro, Standardization
Section, Fresh Products Branch, (202) 720-2185. The United States
Standards for Grades of Florida Avocados are available either through
the address cited above or by accessing the Fresh Products Branch Web
site at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/standards/stanfrfv.htm.
Background
AMS had identified the United States Standards for Grades of
Florida Avocados for possible revisions. AMS solicited comments on
possible revisions to the standards including deleting ``Florida'' to
allow the standards to apply to all avocados. The standards were
published on September 3, 1957.
On March, 29, 2007, AMS published an advance notice of proposed
rulemaking in the Federal Register (72 FR 14709), soliciting comments
on a possible revision to the United States Standards for Grades of
Florida Avocados. A request was received on behalf of a foreign
government expressing the need for additional time to comment.
Following a review of the request, AMS published a notice in the
Federal Register (72 FR 38057), on July 12, 2007, extending the period
for comment.
During the initial sixty-day comment period, three opposing
comments and one supporting comment were received. The three opposing
comments were submitted by a foreign avocado committee, a company
representing growers/packers, and a national trade association
representing wholesale receivers. The opposing commenters stated that
this revision would not be beneficial to their industry as Florida
avocados have unique characteristics which differ significantly from
other varieties specifically, the Hass variety. They held the view that
the revision would directly affect the Florida Marketing Order (7 CFR
Part 915) and imports of the Hass variety. The Hass variety of avocados
is not regulated currently under the marketing order.
During the extension of the comment period, four opposing comments
were received by a foreign government, a foreign avocado committee, a
grower/shipper of avocados, and another from an association of packers,
producers, and exporters. All expressed concerns regarding the effect
this proposed revision might have on the marketing order and import
requirements and a comment raised concerns regarding the treatment of
California avocados under the proposed standard. The comments are
available by accessing the http://www.regulations.gov Web site.
While deleting the word ``Florida'' from the title of the standard
would not impact the marketing order and/or import requirements, AMS
understands the views and concerns expressed by the avocado industry.
After considering all of the comments received regarding the proposed
revisions, AMS has decided not to proceed further with this action.
Therefore, the advance notice of proposed rulemaking, published March
29, 2007 (72 FR 14709), is withdrawn.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627.
Dated: October 29, 2007.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 07-5468 Filed 11-2-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-M