98-14423. Tobacco Inspection; Growers' Referendum Results  

  • [Federal Register Volume 63, Number 104 (Monday, June 1, 1998)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 29529-29530]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 98-14423]
    
    
    
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    Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 104 / Monday, June 1, 1998 / Rules 
    and Regulations
    
    [[Page 29529]]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
    
    Agricultural Marketing Service
    
    7 CFR Part 29
    
    [Docket No. TB-97-16]
    
    
    Tobacco Inspection; Growers' Referendum Results
    
    AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: This document contains the determination with respect to the 
    referendum on the merger of Clarksville and Chase City, Virginia, to 
    become the consolidated market of Clarksville-Chase City. A mail 
    referendum was conducted during the period of April 27-May 1, 1998, 
    among tobacco growers who sold tobacco on these markets in 1997 to 
    determine producer approval/disapproval of the designation of these 
    markets as one consolidated market. Therefore, for the 1998 and 
    succeeding flue-cured marketing seasons, the Clarksville and Chase 
    City, Virginia, tobacco markets shall be designated as and called 
    Clarksville-Chase City. The regulations are amended to reflect this new 
    designated market.
    
    EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 1998.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William O. Coats, Associate Deputy 
    Administrator, Tobacco Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, United 
    States Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 96456, Washington, D.C. 
    20090-6456; telephone number (202) 205-0508.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A notice was published in the April 20, 
    1998, issue of the Federal Register (63 FR,19415) announcing that a 
    referendum would be conducted among active flue-cured producers who 
    sold tobacco on either Clarksville or Chase City during the 1997 season 
    to ascertain if such producers favored the consolidation.
        The notice of referendum announced the determination by the 
    Secretary that the consolidated market of Clarksville and Chase City, 
    would be designated as a flue-cured tobacco auction market and receive 
    mandatory Federal grading of tobacco sold at auction for the 1998 and 
    succeeding seasons, subject to the results of the referendum. The 
    determination was based on the evidence and arguments presented at a 
    public hearing held in, Clarksville, Virginia, on November 7, 1997, 
    pursuant to applicable provisions of the regulations issued under the 
    Tobacco Inspection Act, as amended. The referendum was held in 
    accordance with the provisions of the Tobacco Inspection Act, as 
    amended (7 U.S.C. 511d) and the regulations set forth in 7 CFR 29.74.
        Ballots for the April 27-May 1, 1998, referendum were mailed to 511 
    producers. Approval required votes in favor of the proposal by two-
    thirds of the eligible voters who cast valid ballots. The Department 
    received a total of 131 responses: 100 eligible producers voted in 
    favor of the consolidation; 9 eligible producers voted against the 
    consolidation; and 22 ballots were determined to be invalid.
        The Department of Agriculture is issuing this rule in conformance 
    with Executive Order 12866.
        This final rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, 
    Civil Justice Reform. This action is not intended to have retroactive 
    effect. The final rule will not exempt any State or local laws, 
    regulations, or policies, unless they present an irreconcilable 
    conflict with this rule. There are no administrative procedures which 
    must be exhausted prior to any judicial challenge to the provisions of 
    this rule.
        Additionally, in conformance with the provisions of the Regulatory 
    Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), full consideration has been 
    given to the potential economic impact upon small business. Most 
    tobacco producers and many tobacco warehouses are small businesses as 
    defined in the Regulatory Flexibility Act. This action will not 
    substantially affect the normal movement of the commodity in the 
    marketplace. It has been determined that this action will not have a 
    significant impact on a substantial number of small entities.
    
    List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 29
    
        Administrative practices and procedures, Advisory committees, 
    Government publications, Imports, Pesticides and pests, Reporting and 
    recordkeeping procedures, Tobacco.
    
        For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 7 CFR Part 29 is amended 
    as follows:
    
    PART 29--TOBACCO INSPECTION
    
        1. The authority citation for 7 CFR Part 29, Subpart D, continues 
    to read as follows:
    
        Authority: Sec. 5, 49 Stat, 732, as amended, by Sec. 157(a)(1), 
    95 Stat. 374 (7 U.S.C. 511d).
    
    Subpart D--Orders of Designation of Tobacco Markets
    
        2. In Sec. 29.8001, the table is amended by adding a new entry 
    (ppp) to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 29.8001  Designation of tobacco markets.
    
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                                               Designated Tobacco Markets                                           
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                                                                                   Order of                         
                Territory              Types of tobacco     Auction markets       destination          Citation     
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                    
    *                  *                  *                  *                  *                  *                
    (ppp)Virginia...................  Flue-Cured........  Clarksville-Chase   July 1, 1998......  (Insert Federal   
                                                           City.                                   Register         
                                                                                                   citation.)       
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    [[Page 29530]]
    
        Dated: May 26, 1998.
    Enrique E. Figueroa,
    Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
    [FR Doc. 98-14423 Filed 5-29-98; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
06/01/1998
Department:
Agricultural Marketing Service
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
98-14423
Dates:
July 1, 1998.
Pages:
29529-29530 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. TB-97-16
PDF File:
98-14423.pdf
CFR: (1)
7 CFR 29.8001