[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 239 (Wednesday, December 14, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 73945]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-7332]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 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.
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  Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 239 / Wednesday, December 14, 2005 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 73945]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 1207

[Docket No. FV-05-711]


Potato Research and Promotion Plan; 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 Potato Research and Promotion Plan (conducted under 
the Potato Research and Promotion Act), under the criteria contained in 
Section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA).

DATES: Written comments on this document must be received by February 
13, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments 
concerning this notice of review to the Docket Clerk, Research and 
Promotion Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs (FV), Agricultural 
Marketing Service (AMS), USDA, Stop 0244, Room 2535-S, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-0244. 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] or 
Internet: http://www.regulations.gov. 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/fv/rpdocketlist.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniel Rafael Manzoni, Research and 
Promotion Branch, FV, AMS, USDA, Stop 0244, 1400 Independence Avenue, 
SW., Room 2535-S, Washington, DC 20250-0244; telephone: (888) 720-9915; 
fax: (202) 205-2800; or e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Potato Research and Promotion Act of 
1971, as amended, (7 U.S.C. 2611 et seq.) authorized the Potato 
Research and Promotion Plan which is industry operated and funded, with 
oversight by USDA. The Potato Research and Promotion Plan objective is 
to carry out an effective and continuous coordinated program of 
research, development, advertising, and promotion designed to 
strengthen potatoes' competitive position, and to maintain and expand 
domestic and foreign markets for potatoes and potato products.
    The Potato Research and Promotion Plan (7 CFR part 1207) became 
effective on March 9, 1972 and was implemented on September 15, 1972 
when assessments began. The plan was amended in May 1984, to increase 
the maximum assessment rate from 1 cent per hundredweight to 0.5 
percent of the previous 10-year average price received by growers.
    Assessments under this program are used to fund promotional 
campaigns and to conduct research in the areas of U.S. marketing, and 
international marketing and to enable it to exercise its duties in 
accordance with the Plan.
    The Potato Research and Promotion Plan is administered by the 
National Potato Promotion Board (Board), which is composed of producer 
members, importer members, and one public member appointed by the 
Secretary of Agriculture from nominations submitted by eligible groups. 
Producer membership on the Board is based upon potato production within 
each State. Importer members, limited to five, are based upon the 
amount of potatoes, potato products, and seed potatoes imported into 
the U.S. All members serve terms of three years.
    AMS published in the Federal Register (63 FR 8014; February 18, 
1999) its plan to review certain regulations, including the Potato 
Research and Promotion Plan, (conducted under the Potato Research and 
Promotion Act), 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 Potato Research and Promotion Plan.
    The purpose of the review is to determine whether the Potato 
Research and Promotion Plan should be continued without change, 
amended, or rescinded (consistent with the objectives of the Potato 
Research and Promotion Act of 1971) to minimize the impacts on small 
entities. AMS will consider the continued need for the Potato Research 
and Promotion Plan; the nature of complaints or comments received from 
the public concerning the Potato Research and Promotion Plan; the 
complexity of the Potato Research and Promotion Plan; the extent to 
which the Potato Research and Promotion Plan 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 Potato 
Research and Promotion Plan has been evaluated or the degree to which 
technology, economic conditions, or other factors have changed in the 
area affected by the Potato Research and Promotion Plan.
    Written comments, views, opinions, and other information regarding 
the Potato Research and Promotion Plan's impact on small businesses are 
invited.

    Dated: December 8, 2005.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. E5-7332 Filed 12-13-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P