[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 165 (Tuesday, August 26, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 51202-51203]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-21788]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 1205

[Doc. No. CN-03-003]


Cotton Research and Promotion Program: Section 610 Review

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service.

ACTION: Notice of regulatory review and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This document announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's 
(AMS) review of the Cotton Research and Promotion Program (conducted 
under the Cotton Research and Promotion Order), under the criteria 
contained in Section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA).

DATES: Comments must be received by October 27, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments 
concerning the notice to Whitney Rick, Chief, Research and Promotion 
Staff, Cotton Program, Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA, Stop 0224, 
1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250. 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: http://www.ams.usda.gov/cotton/rulemaking.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Whitney Rick, Chief, Research and 
Promotion Staff, Cotton Program, AMS, USDA, Stop 0224, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-0224, telephone (202) 
720-2259, facsimile (202) 690-1718, or e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Cotton Research and Promotion Act of 
1966 (7 U.S.C. 2101 et seq.) authorized a national Cotton Research and 
Promotion Program which is industry operated and funded, with oversight 
by USDA. The program's objective is to enable cotton growers and 
importers to establish, finance and carry out a coordinated program of 
research and promotion to improve the competitive position of, and to 
expand markets for cotton.
    The program became effective on December 31, 1966, when the Cotton 
Research and Promotion Order (7 CFR Part 1205) was issued. Assessments 
began with the 1967 cotton crop. The Order was amended and a 
supplemental assessment initiated, not to exceed one percent of the 
value of each bale,

[[Page 51203]]

effective January 26, 1977. The current assessment is $1 per bale plus 
five-tenths of one percent of the value of the bale and is collected on 
every bale of cotton harvested and ginned in the U.S. and on imported 
raw cotton and on the non-U.S. cotton content of imported textile and 
apparel products. Assessments under this program are used to fund 
promotional campaigns and to conduct research in the areas of U.S. 
marketing, international marketing, cotton production and processing, 
and textile research and implementation.
    The program is administered by the Cotton Board, which is composed 
of representatives of cotton producers and importers selected by the 
Secretary of Agriculture from nominations submitted by eligible 
producer and importer organizations. The Cotton Board has thirty-two 
members, thirty-two alternate members and one consumer advisor. All 
members and alternate members serve terms of three years.
    AMS published in the Federal Register (64 FR 8014; February 18, 
1999), its plan to review certain regulations, including the Cotton 
Research and Promotion Program (conducted under the Cotton Research and 
Promotion Order), under criteria contained in Section 610 of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA; 5 U.S.C. 601-612). The plan was 
updated in the Federal Register on August 14, 2003 (68 FR 48574). 
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 section 610 of the RFA, 
warrant review. Accordingly, this notice and request for comments is 
made for the Cotton Research and Promotion Order.
    The purpose of the review is to determine whether the Order should 
be continued without change, amended, or rescinded (consistent with the 
objects of the Cotton Research and Promotion Act of 1966) to minimize 
the impacts on small entities. AMS will consider the continued need for 
the order; the nature of complaints or comments received from the 
public concerning the order; the complexity of the order; the extent to 
which the order overlaps, duplicates, or conflicts with other Federal 
rules, and, to the extent feasible, with state and local regulations; 
and the length of time since the order has been evaluated or the degree 
to which technology, economic conditions, or other factors have changed 
in the area affected by the order.
    Written comments, views, opinions and other information regarding 
the order's impact on small business are invited.

    Dated: August 20, 2003.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 03-21788 Filed 8-25-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P