Proposed Rule2023-11151
Cranberries Grown in the States of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and Long Island in the State of New York; Continuance Referendum
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
May 25, 2023
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentAgricultural Marketing Service
Abstract
This document directs that a referendum be conducted among eligible cranberry producers to determine whether they favor continuance of the marketing order regulating the handling of cranberries grown in the States of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and Long Island in the State of New York.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 101 (Thursday, May 25, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 101 (Thursday, May 25, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 33846]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-11151]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
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. 88, No. 101 / Thursday, May 25, 2023 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 33846]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
7 CFR Part 929
[Doc. No. AMS-SC-23-0015]
Cranberries Grown in the States of Massachusetts, Rhode Island,
Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon,
Washington, and Long Island in the State of New York; 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 cranberry producers to determine whether they favor
continuance of the marketing order regulating the handling of
cranberries grown in the States of Massachusetts, Rhode Island,
Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon,
Washington, and Long Island in the State of New York.
DATES: The referendum will be conducted from June 9 through June 30,
2023. Only current producers of cranberries within the production area
who also grew cranberries in the production area during the period
September 1, 2021, through August 31, 2022, are eligible to vote in
this referendum. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide
the option for ballots to be returned electronically. Further details
will be provided in the ballot instructions. Ballots returned via
express mail or electronic mail must show proof of delivery by no later
than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 30, 2023, to be counted.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the marketing order may be obtained from the
Southeast Region Branch, Market Development Division, Specialty Crops
Program, AMS, USDA, 1124 First Street South, Winter Haven, FL 33880;
Telephone: (863) 324-3375; or from the Market Development Division,
Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP
0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; Telephone (202) 720-8085; or on the
internet: <a href="https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/moa/commodities">https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/moa/commodities</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennie M. Varela, Marketing
Specialist, or Christian D. Nissen, Chief, Southeast Region Branch,
Market Development Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1124
First Street South, Winter Haven, FL 33880; Telephone: (863) 324-3375,
Fax: (863) 291-8614, or Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1f557a7171767a31497e6d7a737e5f6a6c7b7e31787069"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5f153a3131363a71093e2d3a333e1f2a2c3b3e71383029">[email protected]</span></a> or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e4a78c968d97908d858acaaa8d9797818aa491978085ca838b92"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="397a514b504a4d5058571777504a4a5c57794c4a5d58175e564f">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to Marketing Agreement and Order
No. 929, as amended (7 CFR part 929), 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 will be conducted from June 9 through June
30, 2023, among eligible cranberry producers in the production area.
Only current cranberry producers who were engaged in the production of
cranberries in the production area during the period of September 1,
2021, through August 31, 2022, 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 a majority of producers voting in the referendum representing more
than 50 percent of the volume of cranberries represented in the
referendum favor termination of the program.
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
Chapter 35), the ballot materials 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, Fruit Crops. It has been
estimated it will take an average of 20 minutes for each of the
approximately 1,100 cranberry producers in the production area to cast
a ballot. Participation is voluntary. Ballots postmarked after June 30,
2023, will not be included in the vote tabulation. Ballots delivered to
USDA via express mail or returned electronically must show proof of
delivery by no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on June 30,
2023.
Dolores Lowenstine, Christian D. Nissen, and Jennie M. Varela of
the Southeast Region Branch, Market Development Division, Specialty
Crops 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 et seq.).
Ballots and voting instructions will be sent by U.S. mail, United
Parcel Service, or through electronic mail 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 929
Cranberries, Marketing agreements, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601-674.
Erin Morris,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-11151 Filed 5-24-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on May 25, 2023.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.