[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 200 (Monday, October 18, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63724-63725]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-26163]
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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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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 200 / Monday, October 18, 2010 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 63724]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
7 CFR Part 989
[Doc. No. AMS-FV-10-0044; FV10-989-2 PR]
Raisins Produced From Grapes Grown in California; Use of
Estimated Trade Demand To Compute Volume Regulation Percentages
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 August 6, 2010 (75 FR 47490), on the use of an estimated
trade demand figure to compute volume regulation percentages for 2010-
11 crop Natural (sun-dried) Seedless (NS) raisins covered under the
Federal marketing order for California raisins (order). The order
regulates the handling of raisins produced from grapes grown in
California and is administered locally by the Raisin Administrative
Committee (committee). The proposal provided parameters for
implementing volume regulations for 2010-11 NS raisins for the purpose
of maintaining the industry's export program and stabilizing the
domestic market. Based upon comments in response to the proposed rule,
conditions in the industry, the change in the worldwide raisin outlook,
and the lack of industry support for an estimated trade demand, the
proposed rule is being withdrawn.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Terry Vawter, Senior Marketing
Specialist or Kurt J. Kimmel, Regional Manager, California Marketing
Field Office, Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and
Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA; Telephone: (559) 487-5901, Fax: (559)
487-5906, or E-mail: [email protected] or
[email protected].
Small businesses may request information on complying with this
regulation by contacting Antoinette Carter, 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:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Marketing Agreement and Order No. 989, both
as amended (7 CFR part 989), regulate the handling of raisins produced
from grapes grown in California, 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 August 6, 2010 (75 FR 47490), on the establishment of an
estimated trade demand figure to compute volume regulation percentages
for 2010-11 crop Natural (sun-dried) Seedless (NS) raisins covered
under the order.
Specifically, the proposed rule would have provided authority for
the committee to use an estimated trade demand for the 2010-11 crop NS
raisins to compute volume regulation percentages, creating a reserve if
the crop estimate is equal to, less than, or no more than 10 percent
greater than the computed trade demand prescribed under the order;
provided that the final reserve percentage computed using such
estimated trade demand shall be no more than 10 percent, and no reserve
would be established if the final 2010-11 NS raisin crop estimate is
less than 110 percent of the previous crop year's domestic shipments.
Reserve raisins have historically been used by the committee to
support market development programs that have strengthened export sales
and reduced surpluses, thus providing stability to the domestic market.
During the comment period, August 6 through 23, 2010, the
Department of Agriculture (USDA) received eight timely comments. These
comments may be reviewed at: http://www.regulations.gov. Readers may
access the docket and comments submitted by typing the docket number,
AMS-FV-10-0044, into the Keyword field on the home page and clicking on
Search. The docket details, including the list of comments, appear on
the lower third of the search results page.
Of the eight comments received, two favored implementation of the
proposed rule. These commenters expressed their view that the
establishment of an estimated trade demand is necessary to ensure that
volume regulation in established for the 2010-2011 crop year.
Establishment of volume regulation would in turn allow development and
funding of an export program to support handler sales in export
markets. According to these comments, such an export program is
necessary for the California raisin industry to maintain an
international market presence, sustain current sales momentum, and to
be competitive in the global raisin market.
Six of the eight comments did not favor implementation of the
proposed rule. These commenters generally stated that conditions in the
industry and the worldwide raisin outlook had changed since the
proposed rule was recommended. More specifically, the California raisin
industry has contracted, and the supply and demand for raisins in
domestic and export markets is relatively balanced. The commenters also
noted that the recommendation for this action was made prior to the
availability of data indicating that the 2010-2011 raisin crops in
Chile and Turkey are estimated to be smaller than in previous years.
The expected shorter global supply of raisins provides export marketing
opportunities for handlers of California raisins and lessens the need
for an export program to support handler's sales, according to the
commenters. Further, one commenter stated that if volume regulation and
an export program are implemented this year, it could result in
inadequate raisin supplies for the domestic market. Other commenters
expressed the opinion that with worldwide supply and demand in balance,
the California raisin industry should not utilize volume regulation to
support handler's export sales.
Since the committee made its unanimous recommendation to utilize
estimated trade demand for the 2010-2011 crop year on May 13, 2010,
additional and more current information has become available indicating
the industry and worldwide raisin situation has changed, thus reducing
the need to implement this rule. In addition, comments received from
handlers and growers indicate a lack of support for
[[Page 63725]]
this action. USDA has therefore determined to withdraw this rule.
Accordingly, the proposed rule regarding the establishment of an
estimated trade demand figure to compute volume regulation percentages
for 2010-11 crop NS raisins published in the Federal Register on August
6, 2010 (75 FR 47490), is hereby withdrawn.
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 989
Grapes, Marketing agreements, Raisins, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601-674.
Dated: October 8, 2010.
Rayne Pegg,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-26163 Filed 10-15-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P