[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 159 (Monday, August 18, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43922-43924]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-21732]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 918

[Docket No. FV-97-918-1 FR]


Fresh Peaches Grown in Georgia; Termination of Marketing Order 
No. 918

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Final rule; Termination of Order.

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SUMMARY: This rule terminates the Federal marketing order regulating 
the handling of fresh peaches grown in Georgia (order) and the rules 
and regulations issued thereunder. The Georgia peach industry has not 
operated under the order since its provisions were suspended March 1, 
1993. The order does not reflect current industry structure and 
operating procedures and there is no industry support for reactivating 
the order. Therefore, there is no need to continue this order.

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 17, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William G. Pimental, Southeast 
Marketing Field Office, AMS, USDA, P.O. Box 2276, Winter Haven, Florida 
33883-2276; telephone: (941) 299-4770, Fax: (941) 299-5169; or Kathleen 
Finn, Marketing Order Administration Branch, F&V, AMS, USDA, room 2530-
S, P.O. Box 96456, Washington, DC 20090-6456; telephone: (202) 720-
2491, Fax: (202) 720-5698. Small businesses may request information on 
compliance with this regulation by contacting: Jay Guerber, Marketing 
Order Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Division, AMS, USDA, 
P.O.

[[Page 43923]]

Box 96456, room 2523-S, Washington, DC 20090-6456; telephone (202) 720-
2491, Fax: (202) 720-5698.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This final rule is governed by provisions of 
Sec. 608(16)(A) of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as 
amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674), hereinafter referred to as the Act and 
Sec. 918.81 of the order.
    The Department of Agriculture (Department) is issuing this rule in 
conformance with Executive Order 12866.
    This final rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, 
Civil Justice Reform. This rule is not intended to have retroactive 
effect. This final rule will not preempt any State or local laws, 
regulations, or polices, unless they present an irreconcilable conflict 
with this rule.
    The Act provides that administrative proceedings must be exhausted 
before parties may file suit in court. Under section 608c(15)(A) of the 
Act, any handler subject to an order may file with the Secretary a 
petition stating that the order, any provision of the order, or any 
obligation imposed in connection with the order is not in accordance 
with law and request a modification of the order or to be exempted 
therefrom. A handler is afforded the opportunity for a hearing on the 
petition. After the hearing the Secretary would rule on the petition. 
The Act provides that the district court of the United States in any 
district in which the handler is an inhabitant, or has his or her 
principal place of business, has jurisdiction to review the Secretary's 
ruling on the petition, provided an action is filed not later than 20 
days after date of the entry of the ruling.
    This final rule terminates the order regulating the handling of 
peaches grown in Georgia. Sections 918.81 and 918.82 of the order 
contain the authority and procedures for termination.
    The order was initially established in 1942 to help the industry 
solve specific marketing problems and maintain orderly marketing 
conditions. It was the responsibility of the Peach Industry Committee 
(committee), the agency established for local administration of the 
marketing order, to periodically investigate and assemble data on the 
growing, harvesting, shipping, and marketing conditions of Georgia 
peaches. The committee tried to achieve orderly marketing and improve 
acceptance of Georgia peaches through the establishment of minimum 
size, maturity and quality requirements.
    The Georgia peach industry has not operated under the marketing 
order for over four years. The order and all of its accompanying rules 
and regulations were suspended March 1, 1993, for two years (58 FR 
8209). At the request of the industry, the Department extended the 
suspension for two more years (60 FR 17633). Regulations have not been 
applied under the order since 1992, and no committee has been appointed 
since then. The only regulations the industry is using are for 
research, promotion, and advertising. This is handled locally by the 
Georgia Commodity Commission through a State program.
    In 1942, when the marketing order was issued, there were over 300 
growers of Georgia peaches. Currently, there are approximately 20 peach 
growers.
    The Department contacted many current industry members with respect 
to the need for reinstating the marketing order. Virtually all the 
individuals corresponding with the Department stated they were not 
interested in reestablishing the order. There was a peach industry 
meeting held on February 6, 1997, in Byron, Georgia where the marketing 
order was a topic of discussion. There was no support from the 
attendees for reactivating or amending the order.
    There have been changes in industry structure and operating 
procedures since the order was last amended. Making the marketing order 
reflect these changes could require further amendments. The steps 
necessary to amend and reactivate the existing order would be similar 
to what would be required to establish a new order. The need for a new 
or amended marketing order would have to be justified and supported by 
a large majority of Georgia peach growers. This would require a public 
hearing and a grower referendum. There is no determinable industry 
support for a marketing order. Thus, there is little justification to 
continue the current order.
    Pursuant to requirements set forth in the Regulatory Flexibility 
Act (RFA), the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has considered the 
economic impact of this action on small entities. Accordingly, AMS has 
prepared this regulatory flexibility analysis.
    The purpose of the RFA is to fit regulatory actions to the scale of 
business subject to such actions in order that small businesses will 
not be unduly or disproportionately burdened. Marketing orders issued 
pursuant to the Act, and rules issued thereunder, are unique in that 
they are brought about through group action of essentially small 
entities acting on their own behalf. Thus, both statutes have small 
entity orientation and compatibility.
    There are approximately 8 handlers of Georgia peaches who would be 
subject to regulation under the marketing order and approximately 20 
peach growers in the regulated area. Small agricultural service firms 
have been defined by the Small Business Administration (13 CFR 121.601) 
as those having annual receipts of less than $5,000,000, and small 
agricultural producers are defined as those having annual receipts of 
less than $500,000. The majority of the Georgia peach growers and 
handlers may be classified as small entities.
    This final rule terminates the order regulating the handling of 
peaches grown in Georgia. The order and its accompanying rules and 
regulations have been suspended since March 1, 1993. No regulations 
have been implemented since the 1990-91 season, and there is no 
indication that such regulations will again be needed.
    The industry has been operating without a marketing order since its 
suspension. Reestablishing the order would mean additional cost to the 
industry stemming from assessments to maintain the order and any 
associated costs generated by regulation. By not reinstating the 
marketing order, the industry benefits from avoiding these costs. 
Because the industry has been operating without an order for four 
years, the termination of the order would have no noticeable effect on 
either small or large operations.
    The Department attempted to solicit as much industry input on this 
decision as possible. The Department sent a letter to current industry 
members it was able to identify seeking comments on the need for 
reinstating the marketing order. There was a peach industry meeting 
held on February 6, 1997, in Byron, Georgia where the marketing order 
was a topic of discussion. In addition, the proposed rule provided the 
opportunity for all interested persons to comment on the termination of 
the marketing order.
    A proposed rule was published in the June 4, 1997, issue of the 
Federal Register giving interested persons until July 7, 1997, to file 
written comments. No comments were received.
    The Department believes that conducting a termination referendum 
would merely reaffirm the Georgia peach industry's continued lack of 
interest in reactivating the marketing order and that conducting such a 
referendum would be wasteful of Departmental and public resources.
    Therefore, pursuant to Sec. 608c(16)(A) of the Act and Sec. 918.81 
of the order, the Secretary has determined that Marketing Order No. 
918, covering peaches grown in Georgia, and the rules and regulations 
issued thereunder, no longer tend to

[[Page 43924]]

effectuate the declared policy of the Act, and are hereby terminated.
    Trustees have been appointed to continue in the capacity of 
concluding and liquidating the affairs of the former committee. The 
trustees will be responsible for completing the order's unfinished 
business, including ensuring termination of all outstanding agreements 
and contracts, and the payment of all obligations. The trustees will be 
responsible for safeguarding program assets, holding committee records, 
and arranging for a financial audit to be conducted. All such actions 
by the trustees are subject to the approval of the Secretary. Those 
designated as trustees are Robert L. Dickey III, William H. Davidson, 
and Al Pearson. The trustees shall continue in their capacity until 
discharged by the Secretary.
    The remainder of the reserves, after immediate expenses are paid, 
will be held by the trustees to be used to cover unforeseen, 
outstanding expenses obligated by the trustees.
    Section 608c(16)(A) of the Act requires the Secretary to notify 
Congress 60 days in advance of the termination of a Federal marketing 
order. Congress has been so notified.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 918

    Marketing agreements, Peaches, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

PART 918--[REMOVED]

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, and under authority of 7 
U.S.C. 601-674, 7 CFR part 918 is removed.

    Dated: August 12, 1997.
Lon Hatamiya,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 97-21732 Filed 8-15-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P