[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 247 (Tuesday, December 26, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 77245-77246]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-22039]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 1250

[Docket No. PY-05-005]


Section 610 Review; Egg Research and Promotion Program

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Confirmation of regulations.

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SUMMARY: This document summarizes the results of an 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). Based upon its review, AMS has determined that the Order should 
be continued without change.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons may obtain a copy of the review. Requests 
for copies should be sent 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; (202) 720-0623; fax (202) 720-5631; e-mail: 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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; (202) 720-0623; fax (202) 720-5631; e-mail: 
[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 commercial 
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

[[Page 77246]]

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 
18 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) its plan to 
review certain regulations, including the Egg Research and Promotion 
Order, under the criteria contained in section 610 of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612). An updated plan was published in 
the Federal Register on August 14, 2003 (68 FR 48573).
    A notice of review and request for written comments on the Order 
was published in the February 6, 2006, issue of the Federal Register 
(71 FR 6021). No comments were received.
    The review was undertaken 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. In conducting this review, AMD 
considered the following factors: (1) The continued need for the Order; 
(2) the nature of complaints or comments received from the public 
concerning the Order; (3) the complexity of the Order; (4) the extent 
to which the Order overlaps, duplicates, or conflicts with other 
Federal rules, and, to the extent feasible, with State and local 
governmental rules; and (5) 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.
    Currently, there are approximately 260 producers covered under the 
Order. AMS provides Federal oversight of the egg research and promotion 
program. The Order is not unduly complex, and AMS has not identified 
regulations that duplicate, overlap, or conflict with the Order. Over 
the years, regulation changes have been made to address industry 
operation changes and to improve program administration. The goal of 
these evaluations is to assure that the Order and the regulations 
implemented under it fit the needs of the industry and are consistent 
with the Act. Based upon the review, AMS has determined that the Order 
should be continued without change. AMS plans to continue working with 
the egg industry in maintaining an effective program.

    Dated: December 19, 2006.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-22039 Filed 12-22-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P