[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 157 (Thursday, August 14, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 48574-48575]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-20692]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 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.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 157 / Thursday, August 14, 2003 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 48574]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Chapters I, IX, X, and XI

[Doc. No. L&RRS-03-01]


Regulatory Flexibility Act: Review of Regulations

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Schedule for review of agency regulations.

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

SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is publishing this 
plan for the review of its regulations under the Regulatory Flexibility 
Act (RFA). AMS has included in this plan all regulations that warrant 
periodic review irrespective of whether specific regulations meet the 
threshold requirement for mandatory review established by the RFA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christine M. Sarcone, Director, 
Legislative and Regulatory Review Staff, AMS, USDA, P.O. Box 96456, 
Room 3510-South, Washington, DC 20090-6456, telephone: (202) 720-3203; 
fax number (202) 690-3767.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Section 610 of the RFA (5 U.S.C. 610) requires agencies to review 
all regulations on a periodic basis that have or will have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
Because many of 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 FRA 
(5 U.S.C. 610) merit review.
    The purpose of each review will be to determine whether the rules 
should be continued without change, or should be amended or rescinded 
(consistent with the objectives of applicable statutes) to minimize 
impacts on small businesses. In reviewing its rules the AMS will 
consider the following factors: (1) The continued need for the rule; 
(2) The nature of complaints or comments from the public concerning the 
rule; (3) The complexity of the rule; (4) The extent to which the rule 
overlaps, duplicates, or conflicts with other Federal rules and, to the 
extent feasible, with the state and local regulations; and (5) The 
length of time since the rule has been evaluated or the degree to which 
technology, economic conditions, or other factors have changed in the 
area affected by the rule.
    This document updates the plan which was published on January 4, 
2002 (67 FR 525). Part 998, Marketing Agreement Regulating the Quality 
of Domestically Produced Peanuts, was removed from the plan because of 
the recently passed Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 
which mandated that the program be terminated and a new program 
created. The new program, Minimum Quality and Handling Standards for 
Domestic and Imported Peanuts, along with several other new programs 
will be reviewed in 2010. Other changes have been made in the plan to 
space out the reviews to allow for better program administration. The 
results of reviews completed can be obtained from the Legislative and 
Regulatory Review Staff at the telephone number provided in the FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT SECTION of this document. The list of 
reviews completed include: (1) California Almonds, June 20, 2002 (67 FR 
41816; (2) ID-E. Oregon Potatoes, May 28, 2002 (67 FR 36788); (3) 
California Olives, March 27, 2001 (66 FR 16593); and (4) Federal Seed 
Act Regulations, March 22, 2001 (66 FR 16015). AMS expects to publish 
summaries for Florida Tomatoes (Part 966), California Prunes (Part 
993), and Watermelon Research and Promotion (1210) in the near future.
    The attached document announces the revised schedule for reviewing 
the agency's regulations.

    Dated: August 7, 2003.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.

     Agricultural Marketing Service Review Plan For Regulations Identified for Section 610 Review, (CY 2003)
                                           Regulatory Flexibility Act
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                        Year for
           CFR part & authority             AMS program/regulation           Year implemented            review
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 Part 46; Sec. 15, 46 Stat. 537; 7 U.S.C.  Perishable              1930/Regs Amended 1997............      2008
 499o.                                       Agricultural
                                             Commodities Act, 1930.
7 Part 110; 7 U.S.C. 136a(d)(1)(c), 136i-   Pesticide               1993..............................      2003
 1, and 450; 7 Part 2.17, 2.50.              recordkeeping.
7 Part 205; 7 U.S.C. 6501-6522............  National Organic        2000..............................      2010
                                             Program.
7 Part 905; 7 U.S.C. 601-674..............  Oranges, Grapefruit,    1939..............................      2007
                                             Tangerines, and
                                             Tangelos Grown in
                                             Florida.
7 Part 916; 7 U.S.C. 601-674..............  Nectarines Grown in     1958..............................      2003
                                             California.
7 Part 917; 7 U.S.C. 601-674..............  Fresh Pears and         1939..............................      2003
                                             Peaches Grown in
                                             California.
7 Part 923; 7 U.S.C. 601-674..............  Sweet Cherries Grown    1957..............................      2007
                                             in Designated
                                             Counties in
                                             Washington.
7 Part 925; 7 U.S.C. 601-674..............  Grapes Grown in a       1980..............................      2006
                                             Designated Area of
                                             Southeastern
                                             California.
7 Part 927; 7 U.S.C. 601-674..............  Winter Pears Grown in   1939..............................      2005
                                             Oregon and Washington.
7 Part 929; 7 U.S.C. 601-674..............  Cranberries Grown in    1962..............................      2005
                                             States of
                                             Massachusetts, Rhode
                                             Island, etc.
7 Part 930; 7 U.S.C. 601-674..............  Tart Cherries Grown in  1996..............................      2006
                                             MI, NY, PA, OR, UT,
                                             WA & WI.
7 Part 948; 7 U.S.C. 601-674..............  Irish Potatoes Grown    1941..............................      2006
                                             in Colorado.
7 Part 966; 7 U.S.C. 601-674..............  Tomatoes Grown in       1955..............................      2003
                                             Florida.
7 Part 984; 7 U.S.C. 601-674..............  Walnuts Grown in        1948..............................      2008
                                             California.
7 Part 989; 7 U.S.C. 601-674..............  Raisins Produced from   1949..............................      2004
                                             Grapes Grown in
                                             California.

[[Page 48575]]

 
7 Part 993; 7 U.S.C. 601-674..............  Dried Prunes Produced   1949..............................      2003
                                             in California.
7 Part 996; Secs. 1308, Pub. L. 107-171,    Minimum Quality and     2003..............................      2010
 116 Stat. 178 (7 U.S.C. 7958).              Handling Standards
                                             for Domestic and
                                             Imported Peanuts
                                             Marketed in the
                                             United States.
7 Parts 1000-1139; 7 U.S.C. 601-674.......  Federal Milk Marketing  1999..............................      2009
                                             Orders.
7 Part 1150; 7 U.S.C. 4501-4513...........  Dairy Promotion         1984..............................      2006
                                             Program.
7 Part 1160; 7 U.S.C. 6401-6417...........  Fluid Milk Promotion    1993..............................      2004
                                             Program.
7 Part 1205; 7 U.S.C. 2101-2118...........  Cotton Research and     1996..............................      2003
                                             Promotion.
7 Part 1207; 7 U.S.C. 2611-2627...........  Potato Research and     1972..............................      2005
                                             Promotion.
7 Part 1209; 7 U.S.C. 6101-6112...........  Mushroom Promotion,     1993..............................      2005
                                             Research and Consumer
                                             Information Order.
7 Part 1210: 7 U.S.C. 4901-4916...........  Watermelon Research     1990..............................      2003
                                             and Promotion Plan.
7 Part 1215; 7 U.S.C. 7481-7491...........  Popcorn Promotion,      1997..............................      2007
                                             Research and Consumer
                                             Information.
7 Part 1216; 7 U.S.C. 7401-7425...........  Peanut Promotion,       1999..............................      2009
                                             Research, and
                                             Information Order.
7 Part 1218; 7 U.S.C. 7401-7425...........  Blueberry Promotion,    2000..............................      2010
                                             Research, and
                                             Information Order.
7 Part 1219; 7 U.S.C. 7801-7813...........  Hass Avocado            2003..............................      2010
                                             Promotion, Research,
                                             and Information.
7 Part 1220; 7 U.S.C. 6301-6311...........  Soybean Promotion,      1991..............................      2005
                                             Research and Consumer
                                             Information.
7 Part 1230; 7 U.S.C. 4801-4819...........  Pork Promotion,         1986..............................      2008
                                             Research, and
                                             Consumer Information.
7 Part 1240; 7 U.S.C. 4601-4612...........  Honey Research,         1987..............................      2008
                                             Promotion, and
                                             Consumer Information
                                             Order.
7 Part 1250; 7 U.S.C. 2701-2718...........  Egg Research and        1976..............................      2005
                                             Promotion.
7 Part 1260; 7 U.S.C. 2901-2911...........  Beef Promotion and      1986..............................      2007
                                             Research.
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[FR Doc. 03-20692 Filed 8-13-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P