[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 38 (Tuesday, February 27, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 8633]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-3262]


 ========================================================================
 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. 72, No. 38 / Tuesday, February 27, 2007 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 8633]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agriculture Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 1215

[Docket No. AMS-FV-07-0022; FV-06-706]


Popcorn Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Order; 
Section 610 Review

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

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 Popcorn Promotion, Research, and Consumer 
Information Order [Order] (conducted under the Popcorn Promotion, 
Research, and Consumer Information Act [Act]), under the criteria 
contained in Section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA).

DATES: Written comments on this document must be received by April 30, 
2007.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on 
the internet at: http://www.regulations.gov or to the Research and 
Promotion Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 0635-S, Stop 0244, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-0244; FAX: (202) 205-
2800. All comments should reference the docket number and the date and 
page number of this issue of the Federal Register and will be made 
available for public inspection in the above office during regular 
business hours.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Deborah Simmons, Marketing Specialist, 
Research and Promotion Branch, FVP, AMS, USDA, Stop 0244, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., Room 0635-S, Washington, DC 20250-0244; 
telephone: (888) 720-9917; fax: (202) 205-2800.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Popcorn Promotion, Research, and 
Consumer Information Act of 1996, (7 U.S.C. 7481 et seq.) authorized 
the Popcorn Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Order which 
is industry operated and funded, with oversight by USDA. The Popcorn 
Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Order objective is to 
carry out an effective and continuous coordinated program of research, 
development, advertising, and promotion designed to strengthen 
popcorns' competitive position, and to maintain and expand domestic and 
foreign markets for popcorn and popcorn products.
    The Popcorn Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Order (7 
CFR Part 1215) became effective on September 1, 1997, and was 
implemented in January 1998 when assessments began. The Popcorn Board 
(Board) collects assessments from processors of over four million 
pounds of popcorn per year, regardless of the country of origin of the 
popcorn. The assessment rate is 6 cents per hundredweight.
    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 Order.
    The Popcorn Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Order is 
administered by the Popcorn Board, which is composed of nine at-large 
processors who were appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture from 
nominations submitted by eligible processors. All processors of over 
four million pounds of popcorn annually are eligible to participate in 
the nomination process. All Board members serve terms of three years.
    The Agricultural Marketing Service published in the Federal 
Register (71 FR 14828; March 24, 2006) its plan to review certain 
regulations, including the Popcorn Promotion, Research, and Consumer 
Information Order, (conducted under the Popcorn Promotion, Research, 
and Consumer Information Act), under criteria contained in Section 610 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA; 5 U.S.C. 601-612). 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 
Popcorn Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Order.
    The purpose of the review is to determine whether the Popcorn 
Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Order should be continued 
without change, amended, or rescinded (consistent with the objectives 
of the Popcorn Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act of 
1996) to minimize the impacts on small entities. AMS will consider the 
continued need for the Popcorn Promotion, Research, and Consumer 
Information Order; the nature of complaints or comments received from 
the public concerning the Popcorn Promotion, Research, and Consumer 
Information Order; the complexity of the Popcorn Promotion, Research, 
and Consumer Information Order; the extent to which the Popcorn 
Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information 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 Popcorn Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Order 
has been evaluated or the degree to which technology, economic 
conditions, or other factors have changed in the area affected by the 
Popcorn Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Order.
    Written comments, views, opinions, and other information regarding 
the Popcorn Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Order's 
impact on small businesses are invited.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 7481-7491.

    Dated: February 20, 2007.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-3262 Filed 2-26-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P