Regulatory Flexibility Act; Plan for Periodic Review of Regulations

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Chapters I, IX, X and XI

[Doc. # L&RR-99-01]

Regulatory Flexibility Act; Plan for Periodic Review of

Regulations

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Schedule for review of agency regulations.

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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is publishing its

plan for the review of its regulations under the criteria contained in

Sec. 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA). AMS has included in

this plan all regulations that warrant periodic review irrespective of

whether specific regulations meet the threshold requirement for

mandatory review established by the RFA. The identified rules will be

reviewed as indicated during the next ten years.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sandra K. Hogan, Director, Legislative

and Regulatory Review Staff, AMS, USDA, P.O. Box 96456, Room 3510-

South, Washington, D.C. 20090-6456; 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

AMS regulations impact small entities, AMS has decided, as a matter of

policy, to review certain regulations which although they may not meet

the threshold requirement under Sec. 610 of the RFA (5 U.S.C. 610)

merit review. Accordingly, AMS has prepared this ten-year plan for

reviewing the listed rules. 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should be amended or rescinded (consistent with the objectives of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 entities.

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 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.

A list of the regulations will be included, in the year the

regulations are scheduled for review, in AMS' regulatory agenda which

is printed in the Federal Register as part of the Unified Agenda in

April and October. At that time a contact will be identified to whom

comments may be submitted for each rule scheduled for review.

Agricultural Marketing Service 10-Year Review Plan for Regulations Identified for Section 610 Review--Regulatory

Flexibility Act

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Year for

CFR part & authority AMS program/regulation Year implemented review

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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 110; 7 U.S.C. 136a(d)(1)(c), Pesticide Recordkeeping....... 1993 2003

1361-1, and 450; 7 CFR 2.17, 2.50.

7 Part 201; 7 U.S.C. 1592.............. Federal Seed Act.............. 1939 2000

7 Part 205; 7 U.S.C. 6501-6522......... National Organic Program...... 2000 2010

7 Part 905; 7 U.S.C. 601-674........... Oranges, Grapefruit, 1939 2007

Tangerines, and Tangelos

Grown in Florida.

7 Part 916; 7 U.S.C. 601-674........... Nectarines Grown in California 1958 2003

7 Part 917; 7 U.S.C. 601-674........... Fresh Pears and Peaches Grown 1939 2003

in California.

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. 601-764........... Grapes Grown in a Designated 1980 2006

Area of Southeastern

California.

7 Part 927; 7 U.S.C. 601-674........... Winter Pears Grown in Oregon 1939 2003

and Washington.

7 Part 929; 7 U.S.C. 601-674........... Cranberries Grown in States of 1962 2003

Massachusetts, Rhode Island,

etc.

7 Part 930; 7 U.S.C. 601-764........... Tart Cherries Grown in Mass., 1996 2006

RI, etc..

7 Part 932; 7 U.S.C. 601-674........... Olives Grown in California.... 1965 1999

7 Part 945; 7 U.S.C. 601-674........... Irish Potatoes Grown in 1941 2001

Certain Designated Counties

in ID, and Malheur County, OR.

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 2002

7 Part 981; 7 U.S.C. 601-674........... Almonds Grown in California... 1950 2001

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

7 Part 989; 7 U.S.C. 601-674........... Raisins Produced from Grapes 1949 2004

Grown in California.

[[Page 8015]]

7 Part 993; 7 U.S.C. 601-674........... Dried Prunes Produced in 1949 2002

California.

7 Part 998; Secs. 1-19, 48 Stat. 31, as Marketing Agreement Regulating 1965 2005

amended; 7 U.S.C. 601-674. the Quality of Domestically

Produced Peanuts.

7 Parts 1000-1139; Secs. 1-19, 48 Stat. Federal Milk Marketing Orders. 1999 2009

31, as amended; 7 U.S.C. 601-674.

7 Part 1150; 7 U.S.C. 4501-4513........ Dairy Promotion Program....... 1984 2001

7 Part 1160; 7 U.S.C. 6401-6417........ Fluid Milk Promotion Program.. 1993 2003

7 Part 1205; 7 U.S.C. 2101-2118........ Cotton Research and Promotion. 1996 2002

7 Part 1207; 7 U.S.C. 2611-2627........ Potato Research and Promotion. 1972 2001

7 Part 1209; 7 U.S.C. 6101-6112........ Mushroom Promotion, Research, 1993 2004

and Consumer Information

Order.

7 Part 1210; 7 U.S.C. 4901-4916........ Watermelon Research and 1990 1999

Promotion Plan.

7 Part 1215; 7 U.S.C. 7481-7491........ Popcorn Promotion, Research, 1997 2007

and Consumer Information.

7 Part 1220; 7 U.S.C. 6301-6311........ Soybean Promotion, Research, 1991 2003

and Consumer Information.

7 Part 1230; 7 U.S.C. 4801-4819........ Pork Promotion, Research, and 1986 2001

Consumer Information.

7 Part 1240; 7 U.S.C. 4601-4612........ Honey Research, Promotion, and 1987 2002

Consumer Information Order.

7 Part 1250; 7 U.S.C. 2701-2718........ Egg Research and Promotion.... 1976 2001

7 Part 1260; 7 U.S.C. 2901-2911........ Beef Promotion and Research... 1986 2003

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Dated: February 11, 1999.

Enrique E. Figueroa,

Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.

[FR Doc. 99-3959 Filed 2-17-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-02-P