[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 213 (Monday, November 8, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 61718]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-24301]


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 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. 86, No. 213 / Monday, November 8, 2021 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 61718]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Parts 959 and 980

[Docket No. AMS-SC-21-0003; SC21-959-2 PR]


Onions Grown in South Texas and Imported Onions; Termination of 
Marketing Order 959 and Change in Import Requirements

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule; Reopening of comment period.

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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is providing an 
additional thirty (30) days for public comments on a proposed rule that 
would terminate the Federal marketing order regulating the handling of 
onions grown in South Texas and the rules and regulations issued 
thereunder. A corresponding change would be made to the onion import 
regulation as required under section 8e of the Agricultural Marketing 
Agreement Act of 1937. Reopening the comment period gives interested 
persons an additional opportunity to comment on the proposed 
termination.

DATES: The comment period for the proposed rule published on August 5, 
2021, at 86 FR 42748, is reopened. Comments must be received by 
December 8, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments 
concerning this proposal. Comments must be submitted to the Docket 
Clerk electronically by Email: [email protected] or 
internet: http://www.regulations.gov. All comments should reference the 
document number and the date and page number of this issue of the 
Federal Register and can be viewed at: http://www.regulations.gov. All 
comments submitted in response to this proposal will be included in the 
record and will be made available to the public. Please be advised that 
the identity of the individuals or entities submitting the comments 
will be made public on the internet at the address provided above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Abigail Campos, Marketing Specialist, 
or Christian D. Nissen, Regional Director, Southeast Marketing Field 
Office, Market Development Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, 
USDA; Telephone: (863) 324-3375, Fax: (863) 291-8614, or Email: 
[email protected] or [email protected].
    Small businesses may request additional information on this Notice 
by contacting Richard Lower, Market Development Division, Specialty 
Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP 0237, 
Washington, DC 20250-0237; Telephone: (202) 720-2491, or Email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposed rule was published in the Federal 
Register on August 5, 2021 (86 FR 42748). The rulemaking proposed to 
terminate the Federal marketing order regulating the handling of onions 
grown in South Texas (Order) and the rules and regulations issued 
thereunder. Furthermore, Section 8e of the Agricultural Marketing 
Agreement Act of 1937 (Act) provides that when certain domestically 
produced commodities, including onions, are regulated under a Federal 
marketing order, imports of that commodity must meet the same or 
comparable grade, size, quality, and maturity requirements. Because 
this proposed rule would terminate regulations for domestically 
produced onions, a corresponding change to the import regulations would 
also be required.
    The proposed rule is based on the results of a continuance 
referendum in which producers failed to support the continuation of the 
Order. USDA's analysis of comments will help determine whether 
termination of this program would be appropriate and whether the Order 
is favored by industry producers.
    During the initial comment period, AMS received a request to extend 
the comment period for an additional 30 days to allow those affected by 
the rulemaking to weigh in on the proposed termination of the Order.
    After reviewing the request, USDA is reopening the comment period 
for 30 days. This will provide interested persons more time to review 
the proposed rule, perform a more complete analysis, and prepare 
information in writing to support their comments. Accordingly, the 
period in which to file written comments is reopened until December 8, 
2021.

Erin Morris,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-24301 Filed 11-5-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P