[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 107 (Wednesday, June 4, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 30467]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-14651]


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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. 62, No. 107 / Wednesday, June 4, 1997 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 30467]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Parts 911 and 944

[Docket No. FV97-911-1B PR]


Limes Grown in Florida and Imported Limes; Reopening of Comment 
Period on Proposed Rule

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Reopening of comment period.

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SUMMARY: This rule reopens the period for filing written comments on 
proposed changes to the minimum size requirements currently prescribed 
under the lime marketing order and the lime import regulations. The 
proposed rule covered two proposed changes to the regulations. One 
proposed change would increase the minimum size requirement from 1\7/8\ 
to 2 inches in diameter for the month of June, which would result in 
the 2 inch minimum being required from January 1 through June 30 of 
each year. The comment period is only being reopened to solicit 
comments on the proposal to increase the minimum size. Changes in 
import requirements would be necessary under section 8e of the 
Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937. The other proposed change 
would revoke the temporary suspension and thereby maintain continuous, 
year round, implementation of regulations. An interim final rule with 
an opportunity for comments is being published separately concerning 
the suspension.

DATES: Comments regarding the minimum size requirements must be 
received by July 7, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments 
concerning this reopened action. Comments must be sent in triplicate to 
the Docket Clerk, Marketing Order Administration Branch, F&V, AMS, 
USDA, Room 2525-S, P.O. Box 96456, Washington, DC 20090-6456, FAX: 
(202) 720-5698. Comments should reference the docket number, 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Aleck Jonas, Southeast Marketing Field 
Office, Marketing Order Administration Branch, F&V, AMS, USDA, P. O. 
Box 2276, Winter Haven, Florida 33883; telephone: (941) 299-4770, FAX: 
(941) 299-5169; or Kathleen M. Finn, Marketing Specialist, Marketing 
Order Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Division, AMS, USDA, 
Room 2530-S., P.O. Box 96456, Washington, DC 20090-6456; telephone: 
(202) 720-2491, or FAX (202) 720-5698.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed rule was issued under Marketing 
Agreement No. 126 and Marketing Order No. 911 [7 CFR Part 911], both as 
amended, regulating the handling of limes, hereinafter referred to as 
the ``order.'' The marketing agreement and order are authorized by the 
Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-
674), hereinafter referred to as the ``Act.''
    The proposed rule was also issued under section 8e of the Act, 
which provides that whenever certain specified commodities, including 
limes, are regulated under a Federal marketing order, imports of these 
commodities into the United States are prohibited unless they meet the 
same or comparable grade, size, quality, or maturity requirements as 
those in effect for the domestically produced commodities.
    The proposed rule was issued on April 25, 1997, and published in 
the April 29, 1997, issue of the Federal Register (62 FR 23185). It 
proposed amending Secs. 911.311, 911.329, 911.344 of the regulations by 
removing a scheduled June 1, 1997, through December 31, 1997, 
suspension of regulations maintaining continuous, year round, handling 
regulations. This portion of the proposed rule is being handled under a 
separate rulemaking action.
    The rule also proposed amending Sec. 911.344 of the order's rules 
and regulations by increasing the minimum size requirement from 1\7/8\ 
inches to 2 inches in diameter for the month of June. The proposed size 
increase also would apply to imports, consistent with 8e of the Act. 
The comment period for this portion of the rule is being reopened for 
30 days by this action.
    Two comments were filed requesting an extension of time to file 
comments. One comment was from a Mexican exporter and the other from a 
Mexican exporters' and packers' union of limes. Both requested that the 
comment period be extended so that they could adequately analyze the 
proposal and its impact on their businesses. One commenter requested a 
30-day and the other a 90-day extension with one concluding that the 
proposal would have a negative effect on its business and the other 
noting that the proposal would have a direct effect on its business.
    In light of these comments, the Department has determined that it 
is in the public interest to reopen the comment period on the proposed 
rule as it pertains to increasing the minimum size. A 30-day extension 
is deemed appropriate. A 30-day comment period on the proposal has 
already been provided. Such action will provide interested persons the 
opportunity to review the rule and submit additional written views and 
information pertinent to the potential effect of the action on the lime 
industry. Accordingly, the comment period is reopened to July 7, 1997.

List of Subjects

7 CFR Part 911

    Limes, Marketing agreements, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

7 CFR Part 944

    Avocados, Food grades and standards, Grapefruit, Grapes, Imports, 
Kiwifruit, Limes, Olives, Oranges.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601-674.

    Dated: May 29, 1997.
Robert C. Keeney,
Director, Fruit and Vegetable Division.
[FR Doc. 97-14651 Filed 6-2-97; 10:02 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P