[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 76 (Monday, April 21, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19491-19492]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-9673]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. FV03-916-610 Review]


Nectarines, Pears, and Peaches Grown in California

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of review and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice announces that the Agricultural Marketing Service 
(AMS) plans to review Marketing Orders 916 and 917 for nectarines, 
pears, and peaches grown in California, under the criteria contained in 
section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA).

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by June 20, 
2003.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments 
concerning this notice of review.

[[Page 19492]]

Comments must be sent to the Docket Clerk, Marketing Order 
Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; Fax: 
(202) 720-8938, or E-mail: [email protected]. All comments 
should reference the docket number and the date and page number of this 
issue of the Federal Register and will be made available for public 
inspection in the Office of the Docket Clerk during regular business 
hours, or may be viewed at http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/moab.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kurt J. Kimmel, Regional Manager, 
California Marketing Field Office, Marketing Order Administration 
Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 2202 Monterey Street, 
suite 102B, Fresno, CA 93721; telephone: (559) 487-5901; Fax: (559) 
487-5906; E-mail: [email protected]; or George Kelhart, Marketing 
Order Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 
1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237;: 
(202) 720-8938, or E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Marketing Orders No. 916 and 917, as amended 
(7 CFR parts 916 and 917), regulate the handling of nectarines, pears, 
and peaches grown in California. The marketing orders are effective 
under the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 (AMAA), as 
amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674). The pear provisions and regulations have 
been suspended since 1994.
    AMS initially published in the Federal Register (63 FR 8014; 
February 18, 1999), its plan to review certain regulations, including 
Marketing Orders No. 916 and 917, under criteria contained in section 
610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA; 5 U.S.C. 601-612). An 
updated plan was published in the Federal Register on January 4, 2002 
(67 FR 525). Because many AMS regulations impact small entities, AMS 
has 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 purpose of the review will be to determine whether the 
marketing orders for nectarines and peaches grown in California should 
be continued without change, amended, or rescinded (consistent with the 
objectives of the AMAA) to minimize the impacts on small entities. For 
pears, the purpose of the review will be to determine whether the 
marketing order for pears should be reactivated without change, 
amended, or rescinded. In conducting this review, AMS will consider the 
following factors: (1) The continued need for the marketing orders; (2) 
the nature of complaints or comments received from the public 
concerning the marketing orders; (3) the complexity of the marketing 
orders; (4) the extent to which the marketing orders 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 marketing orders have been evaluated or the degree to 
which technology, economic conditions, or other factors have changed in 
the area affected by the marketing orders.
    An official of USDA will preside over the meeting. Those wishing to 
make oral comments will be asked to register with the official at the 
meeting. A time limitation of ten minutes for each commenter may be 
imposed. Questions to participants from the audience will not be 
permitted.

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

    Dated: April 15, 2003.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 03-9673 Filed 4-18-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P