[Federal Register: October 25, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 207)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 53945-53950]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25oc01-2]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
7 CFR Part 989
[Docket No. FV01-989-3 FIR]
Raisins Produced From Grapes Grown in California; Final Free and
Reserve Percentages for 2000-01 Crop Natural (Sun-dried) Seedless and
Zante Currant Raisins
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Agriculture (Department) is adopting, as a
final rule, without change, an interim final rule that established
final volume regulation percentages for 2000-01 crop Natural (sun-
dried) Seedless raisins (Naturals) and Zante Currant raisins (Zantes)
covered under the Federal marketing order for California raisins
(order). The order regulates the handling of raisins produced from
grapes grown in California and is locally administered by the Raisin
Administrative Committee (Committee). The volume regulation percentages
are 53 percent free and 47 percent reserve for Naturals, and 83 percent
free and 17 percent reserve for Zantes. The percentages are intended to
help stabilize raisin supplies and prices, and strengthen market
conditions.
EFFECTIVE DATE: November 26, 2001.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maureen T. Pello, Senior Marketing
Specialist, California Marketing Field Office, Marketing Order
Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 2202
Monterey Street, suite 102B, Fresno, California 93721; telephone: (559)
487-5901, Fax: (559) 487-5906; or George Kelhart, Technical Advisor,
Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs,
AMS, USDA, room 2525-S, P.O. Box 96456, Washington, DC 20090-6456;
telephone: (202) 720-2491, Fax: (202) 720-8938.
Small businesses may request information on complying with this
regulation by contacting Jay Guerber, Marketing Order Administration
Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, room 2525-S, P.O. Box
96456, Washington, DC 20090-6456; telephone: (202) 720-2491, Fax: (202)
[[Page 53946]]
720-8938, or E-mail: Jay.Guerber@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This rule is issued under Marketing
Agreement and Order No. 989 (7 CFR part 989), both as amended,
regulating the handling of raisins produced from grapes grown in
California, hereinafter referred to as the ``order.'' The marketing
agreement and order are effective under the Agricultural Marketing
Agreement Act of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674), hereinafter
referred to as the ``Act.''
The Department is issuing this rule in conformance with Executive
Order 12866.
This rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil
Justice Reform. Under the order provisions now in effect, final free
and reserve percentages may be established for raisins acquired by
handlers during the crop year. This rule continues in effect final free
and reserve percentages for Naturals and Zantes for the 2000-01 crop
year, which began August 1, 2000, and ended July 31, 2001. This rule
will not preempt any State or local laws, regulations, or policies,
unless they present an irreconcilable conflict with this rule.
The Act provides that administrative proceedings must be exhausted
before parties may file suit in court. Under section 608c(15)(A) of the
Act, any handler subject to an order may file with the Secretary a
petition stating that the order, any provision of the order, or any
obligation imposed in connection with the order is not in accordance
with law and request a modification of the order or to be exempted
therefrom. Such handler is afforded the opportunity for a hearing on
the petition. After the hearing the Secretary would rule on the
petition. The Act provides that the district court of the United States
in any district in which the handler is an inhabitant, or has his or
her principal place of business, has jurisdiction to review the
Secretary's ruling on the petition, provided an action is filed not
later than 20 days after the date of the entry of the ruling.
This rule continues in effect final volume regulation percentages
for 2000-01 crop Naturals and Zantes which were established through an
interim final rule published on August 1, 2001, in the Federal Register
(66 FR 39623). The volume regulation percentages are 53 percent free
and 47 percent reserve for Naturals and 83 percent free and 17 percent
reserve for Zantes. Free tonnage raisins may be sold by handlers to any
market. Reserve raisins must be held in a pool for the account of the
Committee and are disposed of through various programs authorized under
the order. For example, reserve raisins may be sold by the Committee to
handlers for free use or to replace part of the free tonnage raisins
they exported; used in diversion programs; carried over as a hedge
against a short crop; or disposed of in other outlets not competitive
with those for free tonnage raisins, such as government purchase,
distilleries, or animal feed.
The volume regulation percentages are intended to help stabilize
raisin supplies and prices, and strengthen market conditions. Final
percentages were unanimously recommended by the Committee on January
12, 2001.
Computation of Trade Demands
Section 989.54 of the order prescribes procedures and time frames
to be followed in establishing volume regulation. This includes
methodology used to calculate percentages. Pursuant to Sec. 989.54(a)
of the order, the Committee met on August 15, 2000, to review shipment
and inventory data, and other matters relating to the supplies of
raisins of all varietal types. The Committee computed a trade demand
for each varietal type for which a free tonnage percentage might be
recommended. Trade demand is computed using a formula specified in the
order and, for each varietal type, is equal to 90 percent of the prior
year's shipments of free tonnage and reserve tonnage raisins sold for
free use into all market outlets, adjusted by subtracting the carryin
on August 1 of the current crop year, and adding the desirable carryout
at the end of that crop year. As specified in Sec. 989.154(a), the
desirable carryout for each varietal type is equal to a 5-year rolling
average, dropping the high and low figures, of free tonnage shipments
during the months of August, September, and October. In accordance with
these provisions, the Committee computed and announced 2000-01 trade
demands for Naturals and Zantes at 233,344 tons and 4,290 tons,
respectively, as shown below.
Computed Trade Demands
[Natural condition tons]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naturals Zantes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prior year's shipments.............................. 264,619 4,635
Multiplied by 90 percent............................ 0.90 0.90
Equals adjusted base................................ 238,157 4,172
Minus carry-in inventory............................ 97,109 1,109
Plus desirable carryout............................. 92,296 1,227
Equals computed trade demand........................ 233,344 4,290
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Computation of Preliminary Volume Regulation Percentages
As required under Sec. 989.54(b) of the order, the Committee met on
October 4, 2000, and announced a preliminary crop estimate of 427,394
tons for Naturals. Naturals are the major varietal type of California
raisin. This estimate was about 27 percent higher than the 10-year
average of 336,766 tons. Combining the carryin inventory of 97,109 tons
with the 427,394-ton crop estimate resulted in a total available supply
of 524,503 tons, which was significantly higher (about 125 percent)
than the 233,344-ton trade demand. Thus, the Committee determined that
volume regulation for Naturals was warranted. The Committee announced
preliminary free and reserve percentages for Naturals which released 65
percent of the computed trade demand since the field price (price paid
by handlers to producers for their free tonnage raisins) had not yet
been established. The preliminary percentages were 35 percent free and
65 percent reserve.
Also at its October 4, 2000, meeting, the Committee announced a
preliminary crop estimate for Zantes at 4,828 tons, which was
comparable to the 10-year average of 4,447 tons. Combining the carry-in
inventory of 1,109 tons with the 4,828-ton crop estimate resulted in a
total available supply of 5,937 tons. With the estimated supply about
38 percent greater than the 4,290-ton trade demand, the Committee
determined that volume regulation for Zantes was warranted. The
Committee announced preliminary percentages for Zantes which released
65 percent of the computed trade demand since field price had not yet
been established. The preliminary percentages were 58 percent free and
42 percent reserve.
In addition, preliminary percentages were also announced for Dipped
Seedless and Other Seedless raisins. The Committee ultimately
determined that volume regulation was only warranted for Naturals and
Zantes. As in past seasons, the Committee submitted its marketing
policy to the Department for review.
Computation of Final Volume Regulation Percentages
Pursuant to Sec. 989.54(c) and (d) of the order, the Committee met
on January 12, 2001, and recommended interim percentages for Naturals
and Zantes to release slightly less than their full trade demands.
Specifically, interim percentages were recommended for Naturals at
52.75 percent free and 47.25 percent reserve, and for Zantes at 82.75
percent free and 17.25 percent reserve.
[[Page 53947]]
The Department reviewed the Committee's recommendation for interim
percentages in light of unusual circumstances facing the industry.
Field prices for Naturals and Zantes are negotiated between the Raisin
Bargaining Association (RBA) and handlers, and are usually set in
October. For the first time ever, price negotiations proceeded to
arbitration, a process that occurred between April 30--May 2, 2001. The
Committee's rationale for recommending interim percentages in January,
prior to the establishment of field prices, was that the industry was
proceeding to binding arbitration, and that field prices would be set
through this process.
In reviewing the Committee's recommendation regarding interim
percentages, the Department considered the fact that volume regulation
under the order is linked to the establishment of field prices.
Preliminary percentages release 85 percent of the trade demand if field
prices have been set, but only 65 percent if they have not. The order
also permits preliminary and interim percentages to be implemented
through announcements by the Committee, but final percentages must be
established by the Department through informal rulemaking.
While preliminary percentages were designed to release 65 percent
of the trade demand until field price is set, the order does not
contemplate and provides no contingency for the failure to set prices
by mid-February. The rulemaking record indicates that the quantity of
tonnage released at the 65-percent level would be sufficient to supply
market needs through February, but does not address restrictions after
February 15. The Department does not support marketing order
regulations that restrict supplies to the point where market needs are
not met. This would negatively impact the industry as a whole. Thus, on
March 15, 2001, the Department approved the establishment of interim
percentages for Naturals and Zantes.
At its January 2001 meeting, the Committee also recommended final
percentages to release the full trade demands for Naturals and Zantes,
once field prices were set through arbitration. Field prices were
established on May 2, 2001. Final percentages compute to 53 percent
free and 47 percent reserve for Naturals, and 83 percent free and 17
percent reserve for Zantes.
Both the interim and final percentage computations were based on
revised crop estimates of 440,000 tons for Naturals and 5,160 tons for
Zantes. The Committee's calculations to arrive at final percentages for
Naturals and Zantes are shown in the table below:
Final Volume Regulation Percentages
[Natural condition tons]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naturals Zantes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trade demand........................................ 233,344 4,290
Divided by crop estimate............................ 440,000 5,160
Equals free percentage.............................. 53 83
100 minus free percentage equals reserve percentage. 47 17
------------------------------------------------------------------------
In addition, the Department's ``Guidelines for Fruit, Vegetable,
and Specialty Crop Marketing Orders'' (Guidelines) specify that 110
percent of recent years' sales should be made available to primary
markets each season for marketing orders utilizing reserve pool
authority. This goal was met for Naturals and Zantes by the
establishment of final percentages which released 100 percent of the
trade demand and the offer of additional reserve raisins for sale to
handlers under the ``10 plus 10 offers.'' As specified in
Sec. 989.54(g), the 10 plus 10 offers are two offers of reserve pool
raisins which are made available to handlers during each season. For
each such offer, a quantity of reserve raisins equal to 10 percent of
the prior year's shipments is made available for free use. Handlers may
sell their 10 plus 10 raisins to any market.
The ``10 plus 10 offers'' were held for both Naturals and Zantes in
May 2001. For Naturals, a total of 52,924 tons was made available to
raisin handlers, and 22,091 tons were purchased. Adding the 22,091 tons
of 10 plus 10 raisins purchased to the 233,344-ton trade demand figure,
plus 97,109 tons of 1999-2000 carryin inventory, equates to about
352,544 tons of natural condition raisins, or about 330,300 tons of
packed raisins, that were made available for free use, or to the
primary market. This is 133 percent of the quantity of Naturals shipped
during the 1999-2000 crop year (264,619 natural condition tons or
247,925 packed tons).
For Zantes, 824 tons were made available to handlers through 10
plus 10 offers. This quantity is less than the amount specified in the
order (927 tons). Although 927 tons were not available, all of the
reserve raisins available were offered to and purchased by handlers for
free use through the 10 plus 10 offers. Adding the 824 tons of 10 plus
10 raisins to the 4,290-ton trade demand figure, plus 1,109 tons of
1999-2000 carryin inventory equates to 6,223 tons natural condition
raisins, or about 5,543 tons of packed raisins, that were made
available for free use, or to primary markets. This is 134 percent of
the quantity of Zantes shipped during the 1999-2000 crop year (4,635
tons natural condition tons or 4,129 tons packed tons).
In addition to the 10 plus 10 offers, Sec. 989.67(j) of the order
provides authority for sales of reserve raisins to handlers under
certain conditions such as a national emergency, crop failure, change
in economic or marketing conditions, or if free tonnage shipments in
the current crop year exceed shipments of a comparable period of the
prior crop year. Such reserve raisins may be sold by handlers to any
market. When implemented, the additional offers of reserve raisins make
even more raisins available to primary markets which is consistent with
the Department's Guidelines.
Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
Pursuant to requirements set forth in the Regulatory Flexibility
Act (RFA), the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has considered the
economic impact of this action on small entities. Accordingly, AMS has
prepared this final regulatory flexibility analysis.
The purpose of the RFA is to fit regulatory actions to the scale of
business subject to such actions in order that small businesses will
not be unduly or disproportionately burdened. Marketing orders issued
pursuant to the Act, and rules issued thereunder, are unique in that
they are brought about through group action of essentially small
entities acting on their own behalf. Thus, both statutes have small
entity orientation and compatibility.
There are approximately 20 handlers of California raisins who are
subject to regulation under the order and approximately 4,500 raisin
producers in the regulated area. Small agricultural service firms are
defined by the Small Business Administration (13 CFR 121.201) as those
having annual receipts of less than $5,000,000, and small agricultural
producers are defined as those having annual receipts of less than
$750,000. Thirteen of the 20 handlers subject to regulation have annual
sales estimated to be at least $5,000,000, and the remaining 7 handlers
have sales less than $5,000,000, excluding receipts from non-
agricultural sources. No more than 7 handlers, and a majority of
producers, of California raisins may be classified as small entities,
excluding receipts from non-agricultural sources.
Since 1949, the California raisin industry has operated under a
Federal marketing order. The order contains authority to, among other
things, limit the portion of a given year's crop that
[[Page 53948]]
can be marketed freely in any outlet by raisin handlers. This volume
control mechanism is used to stabilize supplies and prices and
strengthen market conditions.
Pursuant to Sec. 989.54(d) of the order, this rule continues in
effect final volume regulation percentages for 2000-01 crop Natural and
Zante raisins. The volume regulation percentages are 53 percent free
and 47 percent reserve for Naturals and 83 percent free and 17 percent
reserve for Zantes. Free tonnage raisins may be sold by handlers to any
market. Reserve raisins must be held in a pool for the account of the
Committee and are disposed of through certain programs authorized under
the order.
Volume regulation was warranted for 2000-01 crop Naturals because
the final crop estimate of 440,000 tons combined with the 1999-2000
carryin inventory of 97,109 tons, plus 41,395 tons of 1999-2000 reserve
raisins released for free use through an export program, resulted in a
total available supply of 578,504 tons, which was almost 150 percent
higher than the 233,344-ton trade demand. Volume regulation was
warranted for 2000-01 Zantes because the final crop estimate of 5,160
tons combined with the carryin inventory of 1,109 tons resulted in a
total available supply of 6,269 tons, which was about 46 percent higher
than the 4,290-ton trade demand.
Many years of marketing experience led to the development of the
current volume regulation procedures. These procedures have helped the
industry address its marketing problems by keeping supplies in balance
with domestic and export market needs, and strengthening market
conditions. The current volume regulation procedures fully supply the
domestic and export markets, provide for market expansion, and help
prevent oversupplies in the domestic market.
Raisin grapes are a perennial crop, so production in any year is
dependent upon plantings made in earlier years. The sun-drying method
of producing raisins involves considerable risk because of variable
weather patterns.
Even though the product and the industry are viewed as mature, the
industry has experienced considerable change over the last several
decades. Before the 1975-76 crop year, more than 50 percent of the
raisins were packed and sold directly to consumers. Now, over 60
percent of raisins are sold in bulk. This means that raisins are now
sold to consumers mostly as an ingredient in another product such as
cereal and baked goods. In addition, for a few years in the early
1970's, over 50 percent of the raisin grapes were sold to the wine
market for crushing. Since then, the percent of raisin-variety grapes
sold to the wine industry has decreased.
California's grapes are classified into three groups--table grapes,
wine grapes, and raisin-variety grapes. Raisin-variety grapes are the
most versatile of the three types. They can be marketed as fresh
grapes, crushed for juice in the production of wine or juice
concentrate, or dried into raisins. Annual fluctuations in the fresh
grape, wine, and concentrate markets, as well as weather-related
factors, cause fluctuations in raisin supply. This type of situation
introduces a certain amount of variability into the raisin market.
Although the size of the crop for raisin-variety grapes may be known,
the amount dried for raisins depends on the demand for crushing. This
makes the marketing of raisins a more difficult task. These supply
fluctuations can result in producer price instability and disorderly
market conditions.
Volume regulation is helpful to the raisin industry because it
lessens the impact of such fluctuations and contributes to orderly
marketing. For example, producer prices for Naturals have remained
fairly steady between the 1992-93 through the 1997-98 seasons, although
production has varied. As shown in the table below, during those years,
production varied from a low of 272,063 tons in 1996-97 to a high of
387,007 tons in 1993-94, or about 42 percent. According to Committee
data, the total producer return per ton during those years, which
includes proceeds from both free tonnage plus reserve pool raisins, has
varied from a low of $901 in 1992-93 to a high of $1,049 in 1996-97, or
16 percent. Total producer prices for the 1998-99 and 1999-2000 seasons
increased significantly due to back-to-back short crops during those
years.
Natural Seedless Producer Prices
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Producer
Crop year Production prices
--------------------------------------------------\1\-------------------
1999-2000.................................. 299,910 \2\ $1,211.2
5
1998-99.................................... 240,469 \3\ 1,290.00
1997-98.................................... 382,448 946.52
1996-97.................................... 272,063 1,049.20
1995-96.................................... 325,911 1,007.19
1994-95.................................... 378,427 928.27
1993-94.................................... 387,007 904.60
1992-93.................................... 371,516 901.41
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Natural condition tons.
\2\ Return to-date, reserve pool still open.
\3\ No volume regulation.
There are essentially two broad markets for raisins--domestic and
export. In recent years, both export and domestic shipments have been
decreasing. Domestic shipments decreased from a high of 204,805 packed
tons during the 1990-91 crop year to a low of 156,325 packed tons in
1999-2000. In addition, exports decreased from 114,576 packed tons in
1991-92 to 91,599 packed tons in the 1999-2000 crop year.
In addition, the per capita consumption of raisins has declined
from 2.07 pounds in 1988 to 1.62 pounds in 1999. This decrease is
consistent with the decrease in the per capita consumption of dried
fruits in general, which is due to the increasing availability of most
types of fresh fruit through out the year.
While the overall demand for raisins has been decreasing (as
reflected in the decline in commercial shipments), production has been
increasing. The production of dried raisins reached an all-time high of
an estimated 440,000 tons in the 2000-01 crop year. This large crop was
preceded by two short crop years; production was 240,469 tons in 1998-
99 and 299,910 tons in 1999-2000. Production for the 2000-01 crop year
soared to a record level because of increased bearing acreage and
yields.
The order permits the industry to exercise supply control
provisions, which allow for the establishment of free and reserve
percentages, and establishment of a reserve pool. One of the primary
purposes of establishing free and reserve percentages is to equilibrate
supply and demand. If raisin markets are over-supplied with product,
grower prices will decline.
Raisins are generally marketed at relatively lower price levels in
the more elastic export market than in the more inelastic domestic
market. This results in a larger volume of raisins being marketed and
enhances grower returns. In addition, this system allows the U.S.
raisin industry to be more competitive in export markets.
To assess the impact that volume control has on the prices growers
receive for their product, an econometric model has been constructed.
The model developed is for the purpose of estimating nominal prices
under a number of scenarios using the volume control authority under
the Federal marketing order. The price growers receive for the harvest
and delivery of their crop is largely determined by the level of
production and the volume of carry-in inventories. The Federal
marketing order permits the industry to exercise supply control
provisions, which allow for the establishment of reserve and free
percentages for primary markets, and a reserve pool. The establishment
of reserve percentages impacts the
[[Page 53949]]
production that is marketed in the primary markets.
The reserve percentage limits what handlers can market as free
tonnage. Assuming the 47 percent reserve limits the total free tonnage
to 233,200 natural condition tons (.53 x 440,000 tons) and carryin is
97,109 natural condition tons, and purchases from reserve total 55,000
natural condition tons (which includes reserve raisins released through
the export program and other purchases), then the total free supply
would total 385,309 natural condition tons. The econometric model
estimates prices to be $240 per ton higher than under an unregulated
scenario. This price increase is beneficial to all growers regardless
of size and enhances growers' total revenues in comparison to no volume
control. Establishing a reserve allows the industry to help stabilize
supplies in both domestic and export markets, while improving returns
to producers.
Regarding Zantes, Zante production is much smaller than that of
Naturals. Volume regulation has been implemented for Zantes during the
1994-95, 1995-96, 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-2000, and 2000-01 seasons.
Various programs to utilize reserve pool Zantes were implemented during
those years. As shown in the table below, although production varied
during those years, volume regulation helped to reduce inventories, and
helped to strengthen total producer prices (free tonnage plus reserve
Zantes) from $412.56 per ton in 1994-95 to a high of $1,034.03 per ton
in 1998-99. The Committee is implementing an export program for Zantes,
in addition to Naturals. Through this program, the Committee plans to
continue to manage its Zante supply, build and maintain export markets,
and ultimately improve producer returns. Volume regulation helps the
industry not only to manage oversupplies of raisins, but also maintain
market stability.
Zante Currant Inventories and Producer Prices During Years of Volume Regulation
[Natural condition tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inventory
Crop year Production -------------------------------- Total \1\
Desirable Physical
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999-2000....................................... 3,683 573 1,906 $771.14
1998-99......................................... 3,880 694 1,188 1,034.03
1997-98......................................... 4,826 788 1,679 710.08
1996-97......................................... 4,491 987 549 \2\ 1,150.00
1995-96......................................... 3,294 782 2,890 711.32
1994-95......................................... 5,377 837 4,364 412.56
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Total season average produces price (per ton).
\2\ No volume regulation.
Free and reserve percentages are established by varietal type, and
usually in years when the supply exceeds the trade demand by a large
enough margin that the Committee believes volume regulation is
necessary to maintain market stability. Accordingly, in assessing
whether to apply volume regulation or, as an alternative, not to apply
such regulation, the Committee recommended only two of the nine raisin
varietal types defined under the order for volume regulation this
season.
The free and reserve percentages release the full trade demands and
apply uniformly to all handlers in the industry, regardless of size.
For Naturals, with the exception of the 1998-99 crop year, small and
large raisin producers and handlers have been operating under volume
regulation percentages every year since 1983-84. There are no known
additional costs incurred by small handlers that are not incurred by
large handlers. While the level of benefits of this rulemaking are
difficult to quantify, the stabilizing effects of the volume
regulations impact small and large handlers positively by helping them
maintain and expand markets even though raisin supplies fluctuate
widely from season to season. Likewise, price stability positively
impacts small and large producers by allowing them to better anticipate
the revenues their raisins will generate.
There are some reporting, recordkeeping and other compliance
requirements under the order. The reporting and recordkeeping burdens
are necessary for compliance purposes and for developing statistical
data for maintenance of the program. The requirements are the same as
those applied in past seasons. Thus, this action will not impose any
additional reporting or recordkeeping burdens on either small or large
handlers. The forms require information which is readily available from
handler records and which can be provided without data processing
equipment or trained statistical staff. The information collection and
recordkeeping requirements have been previously approved by the Office
of Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB Control No. 0581-0178. As with
other similar marketing order programs, reports and forms are
periodically studied to reduce or eliminate duplicate information
collection burdens by industry and public sector agencies. In addition,
the Department has not identified any relevant Federal rules that
duplicate, overlap, or conflict with this rule.
Further, Committee and subcommittee meetings are widely publicized
in advance and are held in a location central to the production area.
The meetings are open to all industry members, including small business
entities, and other interested persons who are encouraged to
participate in the deliberations and voice their opinions on topics
under discussion.
An interim final rule concerning this action was published in the
Federal Register on August 1, 2001 (66 FR 39623). Copies of the rule
were mailed by Committee staff to all Committee members and alternates,
the RBA, handlers and dehydrators. In addition, the rule was made
available through the Internet by the Office of the Federal Register
and the Department. That rule provided for a 30-day comment period that
ended on August 31, 2001. No comments were received.
A small business guide on complying with fruit, vegetable, and
specialty crop marketing agreements and orders may be viewed at: http:/
/www.ams.usda.gov/fv/moab.html. Any questions about the compliance
guide should be sent to Jay Guerber at the previously mentioned address
in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.
After consideration of all relevant material presented, including
the information and recommendation submitted by the Committee and other
available information, it is hereby found
[[Page 53950]]
that this rule, as hereinafter set forth, will tend to effectuate the
declared policy of the Act.
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 989
Grapes, Marketing agreements, Raisins, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
PART 989--RAISINS PRODUCED FROM GRAPES GROWN IN CALIFORNIA
Accordingly, the interim final rule amending 7 CFR part 989 which
was published at 66 FR 39623 on August 1, 2001, is adopted as a final
rule without change.
Dated: October 19, 2001.
Kenneth C. Clayton,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 01-26899 Filed 10-24-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
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