[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 212 (Wednesday, November 3, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 59669]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-28832]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 1217

[Docket No. FV-99-703-PR1]


Proposed Olive Oil Promotion, Research, and Information Order; 
Reopening of Comment Period

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Reopening of the comment period.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the comment period on the proposed 
Olive Oil Promotion, Research, and Information Order is reopened until 
December 3, 1999.

DATES: Comments must be received by December 3, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments 
concerning this proposed rule to the Docket Clerk, Research and 
Promotion Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing 
Service, USDA, Stop 0244, Room 2535 South Building, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, D.C. 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: [email protected]. All comments 
should reference the docket number and the date and page number of this 
issue of the Federal Register. A copy of this rule may be found at: 
www.ams.usda.gov/fv/rpdocketlist.htm. Pursuant to the Paperwork 
Reduction Act (PRA), send comments regarding the accuracy of the burden 
estimate, ways to minimize the burden, including the use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology, or any 
other aspect of this collection of information to the above address. 
Comments concerning the information collection under the PRA should 
also be sent to the Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information 
and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 
20503.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Oliver L. Flake, Research and 
Promotion Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, Stop 0244, 
1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 2535 South Building, Washington, DC 
20250-0244; telephone (202) 720-9915 or fax (202) 205-2800.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposed rule was published in the Federal 
Register (64 FR 46754; August 26, 1999). The proposed rule contains the 
proposal submitted by the North American Olive Oil Association (NAOOA). 
Prior to submitting its proposal, the NAOOA had coordinated a task 
force consisting of the NAOOA, the California Olive Oil Council, the 
Texas Olive Oil Council, and other companies involved in the olive oil 
business.
    Under the proposed Order, first handlers and importers would pay an 
assessment to the proposed Olive Oil Council (Council). Assessments 
collected under the program, at the rate of $0.01 per pound, are 
expected to generate between $3 million and $4 million annually. The 
Council would use the assessments collected to conduct a promotion, 
research, and information program to maintain, develop, and expand 
markets for olive oil. The comment period ended October 25, 1999.
    On October 22, the Task Force Coordinator requested that additional 
time be provided for interested persons to comment on the proposed 
rule. The task force coordinator stated that discussions are still 
taking place among industry participants and that allowing additional 
discussion will help to ensure that the process allows all parties to 
participate.
    After reviewing the situation, and in accordance with the task 
force request, the Department is reopening the comment period for 30 
additional days. This will provide interested persons a total of 90 
days to review the proposed rule, perform a more complete analysis, and 
submit any written comments.
    This delay should not substantially add to the time required to 
complete this rulemaking action. Accordingly, the period in which to 
file written comments is reopened until December 3, 1999. This notice 
is issued pursuant to the Commodity Promotion, Research, and 
Information Act of 1996, 7 U.S.C. 7401-7425; Public Law 104-127, 
enacted April 4, 1996.

    Dated: October 27, 1999.
Eric M. Forman,
Acting Deputy Administrator, Fruit and Vegetgable Programs.
[FR Doc. 99-28832 Filed 11-1-99; 8:51 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P