[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 107 (Wednesday, June 4, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 30467]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-14651]
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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. 62, No. 107 / Wednesday, June 4, 1997 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 30467]]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
7 CFR Parts 911 and 944
[Docket No. FV97-911-1B PR]
Limes Grown in Florida and Imported Limes; Reopening of Comment
Period on Proposed Rule
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Reopening of comment period.
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SUMMARY: This rule reopens the period for filing written comments on
proposed changes to the minimum size requirements currently prescribed
under the lime marketing order and the lime import regulations. The
proposed rule covered two proposed changes to the regulations. One
proposed change would increase the minimum size requirement from 1\7/8\
to 2 inches in diameter for the month of June, which would result in
the 2 inch minimum being required from January 1 through June 30 of
each year. The comment period is only being reopened to solicit
comments on the proposal to increase the minimum size. Changes in
import requirements would be necessary under section 8e of the
Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937. The other proposed change
would revoke the temporary suspension and thereby maintain continuous,
year round, implementation of regulations. An interim final rule with
an opportunity for comments is being published separately concerning
the suspension.
DATES: Comments regarding the minimum size requirements must be
received by July 7, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments
concerning this reopened action. Comments must be sent in triplicate to
the Docket Clerk, Marketing Order Administration Branch, F&V, AMS,
USDA, Room 2525-S, P.O. Box 96456, Washington, DC 20090-6456, FAX:
(202) 720-5698. Comments should reference the docket number, the date
and page number of this issue of the Federal Register and will be made
available for public inspection in the Office of the Docket Clerk
during regular business hours.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Aleck Jonas, Southeast Marketing Field
Office, Marketing Order Administration Branch, F&V, AMS, USDA, P. O.
Box 2276, Winter Haven, Florida 33883; telephone: (941) 299-4770, FAX:
(941) 299-5169; or Kathleen M. Finn, Marketing Specialist, Marketing
Order Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Division, AMS, USDA,
Room 2530-S., P.O. Box 96456, Washington, DC 20090-6456; telephone:
(202) 720-2491, or FAX (202) 720-5698.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed rule was issued under Marketing
Agreement No. 126 and Marketing Order No. 911 [7 CFR Part 911], both as
amended, regulating the handling of limes, hereinafter referred to as
the ``order.'' The marketing agreement and order are authorized by the
Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-
674), hereinafter referred to as the ``Act.''
The proposed rule was also issued under section 8e of the Act,
which provides that whenever certain specified commodities, including
limes, are regulated under a Federal marketing order, imports of these
commodities into the United States are prohibited unless they meet the
same or comparable grade, size, quality, or maturity requirements as
those in effect for the domestically produced commodities.
The proposed rule was issued on April 25, 1997, and published in
the April 29, 1997, issue of the Federal Register (62 FR 23185). It
proposed amending Secs. 911.311, 911.329, 911.344 of the regulations by
removing a scheduled June 1, 1997, through December 31, 1997,
suspension of regulations maintaining continuous, year round, handling
regulations. This portion of the proposed rule is being handled under a
separate rulemaking action.
The rule also proposed amending Sec. 911.344 of the order's rules
and regulations by increasing the minimum size requirement from 1\7/8\
inches to 2 inches in diameter for the month of June. The proposed size
increase also would apply to imports, consistent with 8e of the Act.
The comment period for this portion of the rule is being reopened for
30 days by this action.
Two comments were filed requesting an extension of time to file
comments. One comment was from a Mexican exporter and the other from a
Mexican exporters' and packers' union of limes. Both requested that the
comment period be extended so that they could adequately analyze the
proposal and its impact on their businesses. One commenter requested a
30-day and the other a 90-day extension with one concluding that the
proposal would have a negative effect on its business and the other
noting that the proposal would have a direct effect on its business.
In light of these comments, the Department has determined that it
is in the public interest to reopen the comment period on the proposed
rule as it pertains to increasing the minimum size. A 30-day extension
is deemed appropriate. A 30-day comment period on the proposal has
already been provided. Such action will provide interested persons the
opportunity to review the rule and submit additional written views and
information pertinent to the potential effect of the action on the lime
industry. Accordingly, the comment period is reopened to July 7, 1997.
List of Subjects
7 CFR Part 911
Limes, Marketing agreements, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
7 CFR Part 944
Avocados, Food grades and standards, Grapefruit, Grapes, Imports,
Kiwifruit, Limes, Olives, Oranges.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601-674.
Dated: May 29, 1997.
Robert C. Keeney,
Director, Fruit and Vegetable Division.
[FR Doc. 97-14651 Filed 6-2-97; 10:02 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
