[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 54 (Thursday, March 20, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 15555]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-06083]
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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. 79, No. 54 / Thursday, March 20, 2014 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 15555]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
7 CFR Part 905
[Docket No. AMS-FV-14-0008; FV14-905-1 CR]
Oranges, Grapefruit, Tangerines, and Tangelos Grown in Florida;
Continuance Referendum
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Referendum order.
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SUMMARY: This document directs that a referendum be conducted among
eligible producers of oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and tangelos
grown in Florida to determine whether they favor continuance of the
marketing order regulating the handling of oranges, grapefruit,
tangerines, and tangelos produced in the production area.
DATES: The referendum will be conducted from April 7 through April 25,
2014. To vote in this referendum, producers must have produced oranges,
grapefruit, tangerines, or tangelos within the designated production
area in Florida for the fresh market during the period of August 1,
2012, through July 31, 2013.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the marketing order may be obtained from the
referendum agents at 799 Overlook Drive, Winter Haven, FL 33884, or the
Office of the Docket Clerk, Marketing Order and Agreement Division,
Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW.,
STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; Fax: (202) 720-8938; or Internet:
www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Corey E. Elliott, Marketing
Specialist, or Christian D. Nissen, Regional Director, Southeast
Marketing Field Office, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Fruit
and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA; Telephone: (863) 324-3375, Fax: (863)
325-8793, or Email: [email protected] or
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to Marketing Order No. 905, as
amended (7 CFR Part 905), hereinafter referred to as the ``order,'' and
the applicable provisions of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act
of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674), hereinafter referred to as the
``Act,'' it is hereby directed that a referendum be conducted to
ascertain whether continuance of the order is favored by producers. The
referendum shall be conducted from April 7 through April 25, 2014,
among Florida fresh citrus producers in the production area. Only fresh
citrus producers that were engaged in the production of oranges,
grapefruit, tangerines, or tangelos grown in the production area,
during the period of August 1, 2012, through July 31, 2013, may
participate in the continuance referendum.
USDA has determined that continuance referenda are an effective
means for determining whether producers favor the continuation of
marketing order programs. USDA would consider termination of the order
if less than two-thirds of the producers voting in the referendum and
less than two-thirds of the volume of Florida fresh citrus represented
in the referendum favor continuance. In evaluating the merits of
continuance versus termination, USDA will consider the results of the
continuance referendum. USDA will also consider all other relevant
information concerning the operation of the order and the relative
benefits and disadvantages to producers, handlers, and consumers in
determining whether continued operation of the order would tend to
effectuate the declared policy of the Act.
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
3501-3520), the ballot materials to be used in the referendum have been
submitted to and approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
and have been assigned OMB No. 0581-0189, Generic Fruit Crops. It has
been estimated that it will take an average of 20 minutes for each of
the approximately 750 producers of oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and
tangelos grown in Florida to cast a ballot. Participation is voluntary.
Ballots postmarked after April 25, 2014, will not be included in the
vote tabulation.
Corey E. Elliott and Christian D. Nissen of the Southeast Marketing
Field Office, Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA, are hereby
designated as the referendum agents of the Secretary of Agriculture to
conduct this referendum. The procedure applicable to the referendum
shall be the ``Procedure for the Conduct of Referenda in Connection
With Marketing Orders for Fruits, Vegetables, and Nuts Pursuant to the
Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as Amended'' (7 CFR
900.400-900.407).
Ballots will be mailed to all producers of record and may also be
obtained from the referendum agents, or from their appointees.
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 905
Grapefruit, Oranges, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements,
Tangerines, and Tangelos.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601-674.
Dated: February 27, 2014.
Rex A. Barnes,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-06083 Filed 3-19-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P