[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 61 (Monday, March 31, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 15388]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-7632]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 956

[Docket No. FV02-956-1 PR]


Sweet Onions Grown in the Walla Walla Valley of Southeast 
Washington and Northeast Oregon; Withdrawal of a Proposed Rule

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Withdrawal of proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: This action withdraws a proposed rule published in the Federal 
Register on July 22, 2002 (67 FR 47741), and reopened for further 
comments on November 1, 2002 (67 FR 66578), on the establishment of 
grade and inspection requirements for Walla Walla sweet onions. The 
order regulates the handling of sweet onions grown in the Walla Walla 
Valley of Southeast Washington and Northeast Oregon and is administered 
locally by the Walla Walla Sweet Onion Marketing Committee (Committee). 
The Committee met on November 21, 2002, and unanimously recommended 
changes to its original recommendation. The administrative record 
raises questions as to the nature and purpose of the proposal and 
possible alternatives. Therefore, the proposed rule is being withdrawn 
for further consideration by the Committee.

DATES: Effective April 1, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert J. Curry, Northwest Marketing 
Field Office, Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and 
Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 1220 SW Third Avenue, Suite 385, 
Portland. Oregon 97204; telephone: (503) 326-2724, Fax: (503) 326-7440; 
or George Kelhart, Technical Advisor, Marketing Order Administration 
Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence 
Avenue SW., STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; telephone: (202) 720-
2491, Fax: (202) 720-8938.
    Small businesses may request information on complying with this 
regulation by contacting Jay Guerber, Marketing Order Administration 
Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence 
Avenue SW., STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; telephone: (202) 720-
2491, Fax: (202) 720-8938, or E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Marketing Agreement and Order No. 956, both 
as amended (7 CFR part 956), regulate the handling of Walla Walla sweet 
onions grown in Southeast Washington and Northeast Oregon, hereinafter 
referred to as the ``order.'' The order is effective under the 
Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-
674), hereinafter referred to as the ``Act.''
    This action withdraws a proposed rule published in the Federal 
Register on July 22, 2002 (67 FR 47741), and reopened for further 
comments on November 1, 2002 (67 FR 66578), on the establishment of 
grade and inspection requirements for Walla Walla sweet onions. 
Specifically, the proposed rule would have required all Walla Walla 
sweet onions handled prior to June 10 of each marketing season to be 
inspected and be at least U.S. Commercial grade. In addition, the 
Committee would have funded the total cost of all required inspections. 
The primary intent behind the proposal was to help ensure the maturity 
and marketability of early season sweet onions. A secondary goal was to 
help prevent onions from other production areas from being mislabeled 
and marketed as Walla Walla sweet onions.
    During the initial comment period, July 22 through September 20, 
the Department of Agriculture (USDA) received one timely comment. This 
comment, which may be reviewed on the Internet at http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/modockets/956%20comments/2002onions.htm, raised 
several questions regarding the proposal. To facilitate further public 
review of the proposed rule, USDA reopened the comment period from 
November 1 through November 22, 2002.
    During the reopened comment period, the Committee met and 
unanimously recommended early mandatory inspections on Walla Walla 
sweet onions, but prior to June 1 of each year rather than June 10 as 
originally recommended. The Committee believes that a requirement for 
valid inspection certificates on all lots of Walla Walla sweet onions 
being shipped prior to June 1 would enhance compliance efforts in the 
prevention of the misrepresentation and mislabeling of onions.
    The administrative record raises questions as to the nature and 
purpose of the proposal and possible alternatives. Therefore, the 
proposed rule is being withdrawn for further consideration by the 
Committee.
    The proposed rule regarding the establishment of grade and 
inspection requirements for sweet onions grown in the Walla Walla 
Valley of Southeast Washington and Northeast Oregon published in the 
Federal Register July 22, 2002, (67 FR 47741) is hereby withdrawn.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 956

    Marketing Agreements, Onions, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601-674.

    Dated: March 24, 2003.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 03-7632 Filed 3-28-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P