[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 53 (Friday, March 17, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14485-14486]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-6428]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 1210

[Docket No. FV-00-1210-610 REVIEW]


Watermelon Research and Promotion Plan; Section 610 Review

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule; notice of review and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This action announces the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) 
review of the Watermelon Research and Promotion Plan, under the 
criteria contained in sec. 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA).

DATES: Written comments on this document must be received by May 16, 
2000.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments 
concerning this notice of review to the Docket Clerk, Research and 
Promotion Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing 
Service, USDA, Stop 0244, Room 2535-S, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., 
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 notice may be found at: 
www.ams.usda.gov/fv/rpdocketlist.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen T. Comfort, Research and 
Promotion Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, Stop 0244, 
1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Room 2535-S, Washington, D.C. 20250-
0244; telephone (888) 720-9917; Fax (202) 205-2800; or E-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Watermelon Research and Promotion Plan 
(7 CFR Part 1210), regulates the development and financing (through 
assessments on watermelons produced in or imported into the United 
States) of effective, continuous, and coordinated programs of research, 
development, advertising, and promotion designed to strengthen, 
maintain, and expand domestic and foreign markets for watermelons. The 
Watermelon Research and Promotion Plan (Plan) is authorized under the 
Watermelon Research and

[[Page 14486]]

Promotion Act, as amended by the Watermelon Research and Promotion 
Improvement of 1993 (7 U.S.C. 4901-4916), hereinafter referred to as 
the Act.

Background

    On February 18, 1999, AMS published in the Federal Register (63 FR 
8014) its plan to review certain regulations, including the Plan, under 
the criteria contained in sec. 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act 
(RFA) (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 sec. 610 of the RFA, merit 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 review of the Plan.
    The purpose of the review will be to determine whether the Plan 
should be continued without change, amended, or rescinded (consistent 
with the objectives of the Act) to minimize the impacts on small 
entities. In conducting this review, AMS will consider the following 
factors: (1) The continued need for the Plan; (2) the nature of 
complaints or comments received from the public concerning the Plan; 
(3) the complexity of the Plan; (4) the extent to which the Plan 
overlaps, duplicates, or conflicts with other Federal rules, and, to 
the extent feasible, with State and local governmental rules; and (5) 
the length of time since the Plan has been evaluated or the degree to 
which technology, economic conditions, or other factors have changed in 
the area affected by the Plan.
    Written comments, views, opinions, and other information regarding 
the Plan's impact on small businesses are invited.

    Dated: March 10, 2000.
Robert C. Keeney,
Deputy Administrator, Fruit and Vegetable Programs.
[FR Doc. 00-6428 Filed 3-16-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P