[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 24 (Monday, February 6, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 6021-6022]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-1563]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 1250

[Docket No. PY-05-005]


Egg 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 Egg Research and Promotion Program (conducted under 
the Egg Research and Promotion Order), under the criteria contained in 
Section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA).

DATES: Written comments must be received by April 7, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments 
concerning this notice to Angela C. Snyder, Chief, Research and 
Promotion, Office of the Deputy Administrator, Poultry Programs, 
Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW.; STOP 0256, Room 3932-South; Washington, DC 
20250-0256; or by fax to (202) 720-5631. Alternatively, comments may be 
submitted electronically to: [email protected] or http://www.regulations.gov. All comments should reference the docket number 
and the date and page number of this issue of the Federal Register. All 
comments received will be made available for public inspection at the 
above address during regular business hours. A copy of this notice may 
be found at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/poultry/pyrp.htm/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Angela C. Snyder, Office of the Deputy 
Administrator, Poultry Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.; STOP 0256, 
Room 3932-South; Washington, DC 20250-0256 telephone (760) 386-0424; 
fax (202) 720-5631, or e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Egg Research and Consumer Information 
Act of 1974, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1201 et seq.), authorized the Egg 
Research and Promotion Order (7 CFR part 1250), which is industry-
operated and funded with oversight by USDA. The Egg Research and 
Promotion Order's objective is to establish, finance, and carry out 
promotion, research, and education programs to improve, maintain, and 
develop markets for eggs, egg products, spent fowl, and products of 
spent fowl.
    The program became effective on August 1, 1976, when the Egg 
Research and Promotion Order (7 CFR part 1250) was implemented. In 
accordance with the legislation, the American Egg Board was 
established, and assessments at 5 cents per 30-dozen case of eggs soon 
began to be levied. Since that time, assessments have fluctuated from 
2\1/2\ cents per 30-dozen case of eggs to the current 10 cents per 30-
dozen case approved by producer referendum in 1994.
    Assessments collected under this program are used to carry out 
promotion, research, and education programs to improve, maintain, and 
develop markets for eggs, egg products, spent fowl, and products of 
spent fowl.
    The program is administered by the American Egg Board, which is 
composed of egg producers and egg producer representatives. Each of the 
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[[Page 6022]]

members and their specific alternates are appointed by the Secretary of 
Agriculture from nominations submitted by certified producer 
organizations. The Secretary annually appoints half of the Board, nine 
members and nine alternates, for 2-year terms.
    AMS published in the Federal Register (64 FR 8014; February 18, 
1999) its plan to review certain regulations, including the Egg 
Research and Promotion Program (conducted under the Egg 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 Egg 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 
objectives of the Egg Research and Consumer Information Act of 1974) 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 businesses are invited.

    Dated: January 31, 2006.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-1563 Filed 2-3-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P