[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 59 (Tuesday, March 27, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16593-16594]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-7529]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 932

[Docket No. FV99-932-610 REVIEW]


California Olives; Section 610 Review of Marketing Order

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Review of marketing order; Continuation of regulations.

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SUMMARY: This action summarizes the results of an Agricultural 
Marketing Service (AMS) review of Marketing Order 932 for olives grown 
in California, under the criteria contained in section 610 of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA).

DATES: Effective: March 27, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons may obtain a copy of the review. Requests 
for copies should be sent to the Docket Clerk, Fruit and Vegetable 
Programs, AMS, USDA, Room 2525-S, Box 96456, Washington, DC 20090-6456; 
Fax: (202) 720-5698; or E-mail: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kurt Kimmel, Regional Manager, 
California Marketing Field Office, Marketing Order Administration 
Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 2202 Monterey Street, 
Suite 102B, Fresno, California 93721; telephone: (209) 487-5901; Fax: 
(209) 487-5906; E-mail: [email protected]; or George Kelhart, 
Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, 
AMS, USDA, room 2525-S, P.O. Box 96456, Washington, DC 20090-6456; 
telephone: (202) 720-

[[Page 16594]]

2491; Fax: (202) 720-5698; E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Marketing Order No. 932, as amended (7 CFR 
Part 932), regulates the handling of olives grown in California. The 
marketing order is effective under the Agricultural Marketing Agreement 
Act of 1937 (Act), as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674).
    AMS published in the Federal Register (63 FR 8014; February 18, 
1999), its plan to review certain regulations, including Marketing 
Order No. 932, under criteria contained in section 610 of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA; 5 U.S.C. 601-612). Accordingly, AMS 
published a notice of review and request for written comments on the 
California olive marketing order in the August 5, 1999, issue of the 
Federal Register (64 FR 42619). No written comments were received.
    The review was undertaken to determine whether the California 
marketing order for olives should be continued without change, amended, 
or rescinded to minimize the impacts on small entities. In conducting 
this review, AMS considered the following factors: (1) The continued 
need for the marketing order; (2) the nature of complaints or comments 
received from the public concerning the marketing order; (3) the 
complexity of the marketing order; (4) the extent to which the 
marketing order 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 marketing order has been 
evaluated or the degree to which technology, economic conditions, or 
other factors have changed in the area affected by the marketing order.
    Currently, there are about 1,000 olive growers in California and 
two handlers processing canned olives under the marketing order.
    AMS has determined that the marketing order should be continued 
without change. The marketing order was established in 1965 to 
eliminate inconsistencies in and to improve the quality of canned ripe 
olives in the marketplace, and to assure that the growers are paid a 
fair return for the olives delivered by them to canners. The marketing 
order's regulations on the uniform application of size and quality 
requirements, through third party inspection continue to be beneficial 
to growers, canners, and end-users.
    The AMS has received no complaints about the marketing order 
regulations. The marketing order is not unduly complex, and AMS has not 
identified any relevant Federal rules, or State and local regulations 
that duplicate, overlap, or conflict with the California olive 
marketing order.
    AMS and the California olive industry monitor marketing operations 
on a continuing basis. Changes in regulations are implemented to 
reflect current industry operating practices, and to solve marketing 
problems as they occur. The goal of these evaluations is to assure that 
the marketing order and the regulations implemented under it fit the 
needs of the industry and are consistent with the Act.
    Over the years, regulation changes have been made to address 
industry operation changes and to improve program administration.
    AMS plans to continue working with the California olive industry in 
maintaining an effective marketing order program.

    Dated: March 21, 2001.
Kenneth C. Clayton,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 01-7529 Filed 3-26-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P