[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 48 (Friday, March 10, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 12952]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-5911]


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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. 65, No. 48/Friday, March 10, 2000/Proposed 
Rules  

[[Page 12952]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 201

[Docket No. LS-00-05-610 REVIEW]


Federal Seed Act Regulations; Section 610 Review

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service. USDA.

ACTION: Notice of review and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This action announces the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) 
review of the Federal Seed Act Regulations, under the criteria 
contained in section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA).

DATES: Written comments on this notice of review must be received by 
May 9, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments 
concerning this notice of review. Comments must be sent to Richard C. 
Payne, Chief, Seed Regulatory and Testing Branch, Livestock and Seed 
Program, AMS, Room 209, Building 306, BARC-E., Beltsville, Maryland 
20705-2325; Telephone (301) 504-9430; Fax (301) 504-8098; or E-mail 
[email protected]. All comments should reference the docket 
number and date and page number of this issue of the Federal Register 
and will be made available for public inspection at the Seed Regulatory 
and Testing Branch during regular business hours.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard C. Payne, Chief, Seed 
Regulatory and Testing Branch, Livestock and Seed Program, AMS, USDA, 
Room 209, Building 306, BARC-East, Beltsville, Maryland 20725-2325; 
telephone: (301) 504-9237; Fax: (301) 504-8098; E-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Seed Act Regulations (7 CFR part 
201) regulate the labeling of agricultural and vegetable seed in 
interstate commerce. The regulations are effective under the Federal 
Seed Act of 1939 (FSA), as amended (7 U.S.C. 1551 et seq.). The 
regulations were last amended by a final rule published in the Federal 
Register on January 11, 2000 (64 FR 1704).
    AMS published in the Federal Register (63 FR 8014; February 18, 
1999), its plan to review certain regulations, including the Federal 
Seed Act Regulations, under criteria contained in section 610 of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (FRA; 5 U.S.C. 601-612). Because many AMS 
regulations impact small entities, AMS decided, as a matter of policy, 
to review certain regulations which, although they may not meet the 
threshold requirement under section 610 of the RFA, warrant review. The 
February 18 notice stated that AMS would list the regulations to be 
reviewed in AMS? regulatory agenda which is published in the Federal 
Register as part of the Unified Agenda. However, after further 
consideration, AMS has decided to announce the reviews in the Federal 
Register separate from the Unified Agenda. Accordingly, this notice and 
request for comments is made for the Federal Seed Act Regulations.
    The purpose of the review will be to determine whether the Federal 
Seed Act Regulations should be continued without change, amended, or 
rescinded (consistent with the objectives of the FSA) to minimize the 
impacts on small entities. In conducting this review, AMS will consider 
the following factors: (1) The continued need for the regulations; (2) 
the nature of complaints or comments received from the public 
concerning the regulations; (3) the complexity of the regulations; (4) 
the extent to which the regulations overlap, duplicate, or conflict 
with other Federal rules, and, to the extent feasible, with State and 
local governmental rules; and (5) the length of time since the 
regulations has been evaluated or the degree to which technology, 
economic conditions, or other factors have changed in the area affected 
by the marketing order.
    Written comments, view, opinions, and other information regarding 
the Federal Seed Act Regulations's impact on small businesses are 
invited.

    Dated: March 7, 2000.
Barry L. Carpenter,
Deputy Administrator, Livestock and Seed Program.
[FR Doc. 00-5911 Filed 3-9-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P