Regulatory Flexibility Act: Periodic review of regulations; plan,

[Federal Register: March 24, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 57)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 14827-14828]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr24mr06-17]

Proposed Rules Federal Register

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.

[[Page 14827]]

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Chapters I, IX, X, and XI

[No. AMS-06-01]

Regulatory Flexibility Act: Review of Regulations

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Schedule for review of agency regulations.

SUMMARY: This document updates the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) schedule for reviewing its regulations under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA). Included in this schedule all regulations that warrant periodic review irrespective of whether specific regulations meet the threshold requirement for mandatory review established by the RFA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christine M. Sarcone, Director, Legislative and Regulatory Review Staff, AMS, USDA, 14th & Independence Avenue, SW., Room 3510-South, Washington, DC 20250, telephone: (202) 720-3203; fax: (202) 690-3767.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

Sec. 610 of the RFA (5 U.S.C. 610) requires agencies to review all regulations on a periodic basis that have or will have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Because many of 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 sec. 610 of the FRA (5 U.S.C. 610) merit review.

The purpose of each review will be to determine whether the rules should be continued without change, or should be amended or rescinded (consistent with the objectives of applicable statutes) to minimize impacts on small businesses. In reviewing its rules the AMS will consider the following factors: (1) The continued need for the rule; (2) The nature of complaints or comments from the public concerning the rule; (3) The complexity of the rule; (4) The extent to which the rule overlaps, duplicates, or conflicts with other Federal rules and, to the extent feasible, with the state and local regulations; and (5) The length of time since the rule has been evaluated or the degree to which technology, economic conditions, or other factors have changed in the area affected by the rule.

This document updates the plan which was published on August 14, 2003 (68 FR 48574). The Agency has modified the plan with respect to Tomatoes Grown in Florida (7 CFR part 966) and Winter Pears grown in Oregon and Washington (7 CFR part 927). With regard to pears, this program has been the subject of substantial regulatory change and we are allowing sufficient time for implementation before asking the public to review the program. With regard to tomatoes, we are continuing our review of that program. We're adding two new programs, Mango Promotion, Research, and Information (7 CFR part 1206) and Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling for Fish and Shellfish (7 CFR part 60) which were implemented in 2004 and will be reviewed in 2014. Results for reviews can be obtained from the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section in ``Confirmation of regulations'' document which is published at the completion of each review. The list of reviews completed January 2005 to date include: (1) Raisins Produced from grapes Grown in California, part 989, January 30, 2006 (71 FR 4805); (2) Fluid Milk Promotion Program, March 9, 2005 (70 FR 11535); and (3) Dried Prunes Produced in California, February 13, 2006 (71 FR 7395). The Agency expects to publish review summaries for Cranberries Grown in the States of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, etc. (7 CFR part 929); Potato Research and Promotion Program (7 CFR part 1207); Mushroom Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Order (7 CFR part 1209); Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information (7 CFR part 1220); and Egg Research and Promotion (7 CFR part 1250) later this year.

The attached document announces the revised schedule.

Dated: March 20, 2006. Lloyd C. Day, Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.

Agricultural Marketing Service Review Plan for Regulations Identified for Section 610 Review Regulatory Flexibility Act

Year for CFR part & authority

AMS program/regulation

Year implemented

review

7 Part 46; Sec. 15, 46 Stat. 537; 7 Perishable Agricultural 1930/Regs Amended 1997......

2008 U.S.C. 499o.

Commodities Act, 1930. 7 Part 60; 7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq......... Country of Origin Labeling 2004........................

2014 for Fish and Shellfish. 7 Part 205; 7 U.S.C. 6501-6522.......... National Organic Program... 2000........................

2010 7 Part 905; 7 U.S.C. 6501-674........... Oranges, Grapefruit,

1939........................

2007 Tangerines, and Tangelos Grown in Florida. 7 Part 923; 7 U.S.C. 601-674............ Sweet Cherries Grown in 1957........................

2007 Designated Counties in Washington. 7 Part 925; 7 U.S.C. 601-674............ Grapes Grown in a

1980........................

2006 Designated Area of Southeastern California. 7 Part 927; 7 U.S.C. 601-674............ Winter Pears Grown in

1939........................

2008 Oregon and Washington.

[[Page 14828]]

7 Part 929; 7 U.S.C. 601-674............ Cranberries Grown in States 1962........................ * 2005 of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, etc. 7 Part 930; 7 U.S.C. 601-674............ Tart Cherries Grown in MI, 1996........................

2006 NY, PA, OR, UT, WA & WI. 7 Part 948; 7 U.S.C. 601-674............ Irish Potatoes Grown in 1941........................

2006 Colorado. 7 Part 966; 7 U.S.C. 601-674............ Tomatoes Grown in Florida.. 1955........................

2008 7 Part 984; 7 U.S.C. 601-674............ Walnuts Grown in California 1948........................

2008 7 Part 996; Secs. 1308, Pub.L. 107-171, Minimum Quality and

2003........................

2010 116 Stat. 178 (7 U.S.C. 7958).

Handling Standards for Domestic and Imported Peanuts Marketed in the United States. 7 Parts 1000-1139; 7 U.S.C. 601-674..... Federal Milk Marketing 1999........................

2009 Orders. 7 Part 1150; 7 U.S.C. 4501-4513......... Dairy Promotion Program.... 1984........................

2006 7 Part 1206; 7 U.S.C. 7 U.S.C. 7411-7425 Mango Promotion, Research, 2004........................

2014 and Promotion Order. 7 Part 1207; 7 U.S.C. 2611-2627......... Potato Research and

1972........................ * 2005 Promotion. 7 Part 1209; 7 U.S.C. 6101-6112......... Mushroom Promotion,

1993........................ * 2005 Research and Consumer Information Order. 7 Part 1215; 7 U.S.C. 7481-7491......... Popcorn Promotion, Research 1997........................

2007 and Consumer Information. 7 Part 1216; 7 U.S.C. 7401-7425......... Peanut Promotion, Research, 1999........................

2009 and Information Order. 7 Part 1218; 7 U.S.C. 7401-7425......... Blueberry Promotion,

2000........................

2010 Research, and Information Order. 7 Part 1219; 7 U.S.C. 7801-7813......... Hass Avocado Promotion, 2003........................

2010 Research, and Information. 7 Part 1220; 7 U.S.C. 6301-6311......... Soybean Promotion, Research 1991........................ * 2005 and Consumer Information. 7 Part 1230; 7 U.S.C. 4801-4819......... Pork Promotion, Research, 1986........................

2008 and Consumer Information. 7 Part 1240; 7 U.S.C. 4601-4612......... Honey Research, Promotion, 1987........................

2008 and Consumer Information Order. 7 Part 1250; 7 U.S.C. 2701-2718......... Egg Research and Promotion. 1976........................ * 2005 7 Part 1260; 7 U.S.C. 2901-2911......... Beef Promotion and Research 1986........................

2007

* A notice was published in the Federal Register announcing this review. The agency expects to publish a summary later this year.

[FR Doc. 06-2896 Filed 3-23-06; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-02-P