Proposed Rule2024-28214
Marketing Order Regulating the Handling of Spearmint Oil Produced in the Far West; Revision of the Salable Quantity and Allotment Percentage for Class 3 (Native) Spearmint Oil for the 2024-2025 Marketing Year
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
December 4, 2024
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentAgricultural Marketing Service
Abstract
This proposed rule would implement a recommendation from the Far West Spearmint Oil Administrative Committee (Committee) to revise the quantity of Class 3 (Native) spearmint oil that handlers may purchase from, or handle on behalf of, producers in Washington, Idaho, and Oregon and parts of Nevada and Utah (Far West) for the 2024-2025 marketing year, which began on June 1, 2024. This action would increase the 2024-2025 marketing year Native spearmint oil salable quantity from 678,980 pounds to 731,220 pounds, and the allotment percentage from 26 percent to 28 percent.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 233 (Wednesday, December 4, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 233 (Wednesday, December 4, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 96126-96130]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-28214]
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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. 89, No. 233 / Wednesday, December 4, 2024 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 96126]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
7 CFR Part 985
[Doc. No. AMS-SC-24-0067]
Marketing Order Regulating the Handling of Spearmint Oil Produced
in the Far West; Revision of the Salable Quantity and Allotment
Percentage for Class 3 (Native) Spearmint Oil for the 2024-2025
Marketing Year
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This proposed rule would implement a recommendation from the
Far West Spearmint Oil Administrative Committee (Committee) to revise
the quantity of Class 3 (Native) spearmint oil that handlers may
purchase from, or handle on behalf of, producers in Washington, Idaho,
and Oregon and parts of Nevada and Utah (Far West) for the 2024-2025
marketing year, which began on June 1, 2024. This action would increase
the 2024-2025 marketing year Native spearmint oil salable quantity from
678,980 pounds to 731,220 pounds, and the allotment percentage from 26
percent to 28 percent.
DATES: Comments must be received by December 19, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments
concerning this proposed rule. Comments may be sent to the Docket
Clerk, Market Development Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA,
1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237.
Comments may also be submitted to the Docket Clerk electronically by
email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f4b995869f91809d9a93bb86909186b79b9999919a80b481879095da939b82"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3974584b525c4d50575e764b5d5c4b7a5654545c574d794c4a5d58175e564f">[email protected]</span></a> or via the internet at: <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. Comments should reference the document number and
the date and page number of this issue of the Federal Register.
Comments submitted in response to this proposed rule will be included
in the record and will be made available to the public and can be
viewed at: <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. Please be advised that the
identity of the individuals or entities submitting the comments will be
made public on the internet at the address provided above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joshua R. Wilde, Marketing Specialist,
or Barry Broadbent, Chief, Northwest Region Branch, Market Development
Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA; Telephone: (503) 326-
2282, or Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3c76534f54495d126e126b555058597c494f585d125b534a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1d57726e75687c334f334a747179785d686e797c337a726b">[email protected]</span></a> or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3b795a494942157949545a5f595e554f7b4e485f5a155c544d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="13517261616a3d51617c727771767d6753666077723d747c65">[email protected]</span></a>.
Small businesses may request information on complying with this
regulation by contacting Richard Lower, Market Development Division,
Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP
0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; Telephone: (202) 720-8085, or Email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#57053e343f362533791b38203225172224333679303821"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1f4d767c777e6d7b315370687a6d5f6a6c7b7e31787069">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This action, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553,
proposes to amend regulations issued to carry out a marketing order as
defined in 7 CFR 900.2(j). This proposed rule is issued under Marketing
Order No. 985, as amended (7 CFR part 985), regulating the handling of
spearmint oil produced in the Far West. Part 985 (referred to as the
``Order'') is effective under the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act
of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674), hereinafter referred to as the
``Act.'' The Committee locally administers the Order and comprises
spearmint oil producers operating within the area of production, and a
public member.
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is issuing this proposed
rule in conformance with Executive Orders 12866, 13563, and 14094.
Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess all costs
and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if regulation is
necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits
(including potential economic, environmental, public health and safety
effects, distributive impacts, and equity). Executive Order 13563
emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits,
reducing costs, harmonizing rules, and promoting flexibility. Executive
Order 14094 reaffirms, supplements, and updates Executive Order 12866
and further directs agencies to solicit and consider input from a wide
range of affected and interested parties through a variety of means.
This proposed action falls within a category of regulatory actions that
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) exempted from Executive Order
12866 review.
This proposed rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 13175--
Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments, which
requires Federal agencies to consider whether their rulemaking actions
would have Tribal implications. AMS has determined that this proposed
rule is unlikely to have substantial direct effects on one or more
Indian Tribes, on the relationship between the Federal Government and
Indian Tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities
between the Federal Government and Indian Tribes.
This proposed rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988--
Civil Justice Reform. This proposed rule is not intended to have
retroactive effect. Under the Order now in effect, salable quantities
and allotment percentages have been established for classes of
spearmint oil produced in the Far West. This proposed rule would
increase the quantity of Native Spearmint oil produced in the Far West
that handlers may purchase from, or handle on behalf of, producers
during the 2024-2025 marketing year, which began on June 1, 2024.
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 U.S. Department
of Agriculture (USDA) 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, USDA 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 USDA's
ruling on the petition, provided an action is filed not later than 20
days after the date of the entry of the ruling.
[[Page 96127]]
This proposal invites comments on revisions to the quantity of
Native spearmint oil that handlers may purchase from, or handle on
behalf of, producers during the 2024-2025 marketing year. Prior to this
proposed rule, the salable quantity and allotment percentage for Native
spearmint oil was initially established at 678,980 pounds and 26
percent, respectively, in a final rule published May 23, 2024 (89 FR
45557). This proposed rule would increase the Native spearmint oil
salable quantity from 678,980 pounds to 731,220 pounds and the
allotment percentage from 26 percent to 28 percent.
Pursuant to the requirements in Sec. 985.50 of the Order, the
Committee meets each year to consider supply and demand of spearmint
oil and to adopt a marketing policy for the ensuing marketing year. In
determining such marketing policy, the Committee considers several
factors, including, but not limited to, the current and projected
supply of oil, estimated future demand, production costs, and producer
prices for both Class 1 (Scotch) and Class 3 (Native) spearmint oil.
Input from spearmint oil handlers and producers are considered as well.
Pursuant to the provisions in Sec. 985.51, when the Committee's
marketing policy considerations indicate a need to establish or to
maintain stable market conditions through volume regulation, the
Committee subsequently recommends to AMS the establishment of a salable
quantity and allotment percentage for such class or classes of oil for
the upcoming marketing year. Recommendations for volume control are
intended to ensure market requirements for Far West spearmint oil are
satisfied and orderly marketing conditions are maintained.
Salable quantity represents the total quantity of each class of oil
(Scotch or Native) which handlers may purchase from, or handle on
behalf of, producers during a given marketing year. The allotment
percentage for each class of spearmint oil is the salable quantity for
that class of oil divided by the total of all producers' allotment base
for the same class of oil. A producer's allotment base is their
calculated share of the spearmint oil market based on a statistical
representation of past spearmint production and sales. In order to
account for changes in production and demand over time, the Committee
periodically reviews and adjusts each producer's allotment base in
accordance with a formula prescribed by the Committee and approved by
AMS. Each producer's annual allotment of the salable quantity is
calculated by multiplying their respective allotment base for each
class of spearmint oil by the allotment percentage for that class of
spearmint oil. The total allotment base is revised each year on June 1
to account for producer allotment base being lost because of the ``bona
fide effort'' production provision of Sec. 985.53(e) and additional
base made available pursuant to the provisions of Sec. 985.153.
The Committee met on October 11, 2023, to consider its marketing
policy for the 2024-2025 marketing year. At that meeting, the Committee
determined that, based on the current market and supply conditions,
volume regulation for both classes of oil would be necessary. The
Committee unanimously recommended salable quantities and allotment
percentages for Native spearmint oil of 678,980 pounds and 26 percent,
respectively. In addition, the Committee unanimously recommended a
salable quantity and allotment percentage for Scotch spearmint oil of
663,648 pounds and 29 percent, respectively. A proposed rule to that
effect was published in the Federal Register on January 25, 2024 (89 FR
4835). Comments on the proposed rule were solicited from interested
persons until February 26, 2024. No comments were received.
Subsequently, a final rule establishing the salable quantities and
allotment percentages for Scotch and Native spearmint oil for the 2024-
2025 marketing year was published in the Federal Register on May 23,
2024 (89 FR 45557).
Pursuant to authority contained in Sec. Sec. 985.50, 985.51, and
985.52, the Committee met again on October 9, 2024, to evaluate the
current year's volume control regulation. At the meeting, the Committee
assessed the current market conditions for spearmint oil in relation to
the salable quantities and allotment percentages established for the
2024-2025 marketing year. The Committee considered several factors,
including the current and projected supply and the estimated future
demand for all classes of spearmint oil. The Committee determined that
the established salable quantity and allotment percentage in effect for
Native spearmint oil for the 2024-2025 marketing year should be
increased to provide an adequate buffer to ensure available supply
would continue to meet demand.
At the October 9, 2024, meeting, the Committee recommended
increasing the 2024-2025 marketing year Native spearmint oil salable
quantity from 678,980 pounds to 731,220 pounds and the allotment
percentage from 26 percent to 28 percent. The recommendation to
increase the salable quantity and allotment percentage passed with a
vote of 6 in favor with 2 opposed. The members voting against the
recommendation supported volume control, but did not believe that
additional supply would be necessary to meet 2024-2025 marketing year
demand.
Accordingly, this proposed rule would make additional amounts of
Native spearmint oil available to the market by increasing the salable
quantity and allotment percentage previously established under the
Order for the 2024-2025 marketing year. This proposed rule would
increase the Native spearmint oil salable quantity by 52,240 pounds, to
731,220 pounds, and would raise the allotment percentage 2 percentage
points, to 28 percent. Such additional oil could come from 2024-2025
marketing year production or from releasing Native spearmint oil held
by producers in the reserve pool. As of May 31, 2024, the Committee
records show that the reserve pool for Native spearmint oil contained
1,026,336 pounds of oil.
At the October 9, 2024, meeting, the Committee staff reported, as
of the meeting date, there was an estimated 356,302 pounds of salable
quantity of Native spearmint available for purchase in the 2024-2025
marketing year, ending May 31, 2025. The Committee considered this
amount to be low for this early in the marketing year. Based on the
Committee's estimated sales demand for Native spearmint oil for the
remainder of the 2024-2025 marketing year, the Committee projected that
approximately 125,000 pounds of Native spearmint oil may be carried
into the 2025-2026 marketing year. However, the Committee was concerned
that, without increasing the salable quantity and allotment percentage,
the market for Native spearmint oil may be shorted if demand were to
increase unexpectedly. The increased quantity of Native spearmint oil
(52,240 pounds) that would be made available to the market because of
this rulemaking would ensure that market demand is fully satisfied in
the current year. Should the available supply of Native spearmint oil
exceed 2024-2025 marketing year demand, any unsold quantity would
remain available to the market in future marketing years as salable
carry-in.
In making the recommendation to increase the salable quantity and
allotment percentage of Native spearmint oil, the Committee considered
all currently available information on the price, supply, and demand of
Native spearmint oil. The Committee also considered reports and
[[Page 96128]]
other information from handlers and producers in attendance at the
meeting. Lastly, the Committee manager presented information and
reports that were provided to the Committee staff by handlers and
producers.
This proposal would increase the 2024-2025 marketing year Native
spearmint oil salable quantity by 52,240 pounds to a total of 731,220
pounds. This amount, along with 446,420 pounds of salable carry-in,
would result in available supply of 1,177,640 pounds. The Committee
estimates 2024-2025 marketing year trade demand for Native spearmint
oil to be 1,000,000 pounds. Actual sales of Native spearmint oil for
the 2023-2024 marketing year totaled 987,041 pounds. The 5-year average
of Native spearmint oil sales is 1,085,916 pounds.
The Committee estimates that this action would result in
approximately 175,000 pounds of salable Native spearmint oil could be
carried into the 2025-2026 marketing year which begins June 1, 2025.
The Committee believes that this amount to be a sufficient buffer if
demand exceeds the Committee's expectations for the remainder of the
2024-2025 marketing year. In addition, reserve pool oil could be
released into the market under a future relaxation of the volume
regulation should it be necessary to adequately supply the market prior
to the beginning of the 2025-2026 marketing year. The Committee
estimates that a total of 1,335,150 pounds of Native spearmint oil
(1,026,336 currently in reserve and an estimated 308,814 pounds of
excess oil produced during the 2024-2025 marketing year) would be
available from the reserve pool, if needed.
The Committee's stated intent in the use of the Order's volume
control regulation is to keep adequate supply available to meet market
needs and to maintain orderly marketing conditions. With that
consideration, the Committee developed its recommendation for
increasing the Native spearmint oil salable quantity and allotment
percentage for the 2024-2025 marketing year based on the information
discussed above, as well as the summary data detailed below.
(A) Initial Estimated 2024-2025 Native Allotment Base--2,611,463
pounds. This figure is the allotment base estimate on which the
original 2024-2025 salable quantity and allotment percentage was based.
(B) Revised 2024-2025 Native Allotment Base--2,611,500 pounds. This
figure is 37 pounds more than the initial estimated allotment base of
2,611,463 pounds. The difference is the result of annual adjustments
made to the allotment base at the beginning of the marketing year in
accordance with the provisions of the Order.
(C) Initial 2024-2025 Native Allotment Percentage--26 percent. This
percentage was unanimously recommended by the Committee on October 11,
2023.
(D) Initial 2024-2025 Native Salable Quantity--678,980 pounds. This
figure is 26 percent of the original estimated 2024-2025 allotment base
of 2,611,463 pounds.
(E) Adjusted Initial 2024-2025 Native Salable Quantity--678,990
pounds. This figure reflects the salable quantity available at the
beginning of the 2024-2025 marketing year. This quantity is derived by
applying the initial 26 percent allotment percentage to the revised
allotment base of 2,611,500.
(F) Proposed Revision to the 2024-2025 Native Salable Quantity and
Allotment Percentage:
(1) Proposed Increase in the Native Allotment Percentage--2
percent. The Committee recommended an increase of 2 percentage points
over the initial Native allotment percentage.
(2) Proposed Revised 2024-2025 Native Allotment Percentage--28
percent. This percentage was derived by adding the increase of 2
percentage points to the initially established 2024-2025 Native
allotment percentage of 26 percent.
(3) Proposed Revised 2024-2025 Native Salable Quantity--731,220
pounds. This figure is 28 percent of the revised 2024-2025 Native
allotment base of 2,611,500 pounds.
(4) Computed Increase in the 2024-2025 Native Salable Quantity as a
Result of the Proposed Revision--52,240 pounds. This figure represents
the difference between the initial 2024-2025 Native salable quantity of
678,980 pounds and the proposed Native salable quantity of 731,220
pounds.
Scotch spearmint oil is also regulated by the Order. As mentioned
previously, a salable quantity and allotment percentage for Scotch
spearmint oil was established in a final rule published in the Federal
Register on May 23, 2024 (89 FR 45557). At the October 9, 2024,
meeting, the Committee considered the projected production, inventory,
and marketing conditions for Scotch spearmint oil for the 2024-2025
marketing year. After receiving reports from the Committee staff and
comments from the industry, the consensus of the Committee was that the
previously established salable quantity and allotment percentage for
Scotch spearmint oil was appropriate for the current market conditions.
As such, the Committee took no further action with regards to Scotch
spearmint oil for the 2024-2025 marketing year.
This proposed rule would relax the volume regulation requirements
of Native spearmint oil and would allow producers to meet market demand
while improving producer returns. The proposed increase in the Native
spearmint oil salable quantity and allotment percentage would account
for the anticipated market needs for that class of oil. In determining
anticipated market needs, the Committee considered changes and trends
in historical sales, production, and demand. In conjunction with the
issuance of this proposed rule, AMS has reviewed the Committee's
marketing policy statement for the 2024-2025 marketing year. The
Committee's marketing policy statement, a requirement whenever the
Committee recommends volume regulation, meets the requirements of
Sec. Sec. 985.50 and 985.51.
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
Pursuant to requirements set forth in the Regulatory Flexibility
Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601-612), AMS has considered the economic impact of
this proposed rule on small entities. Accordingly, AMS has prepared
this initial regulatory flexibility analysis.
The purpose of the RFA is to fit regulatory actions to the scale of
businesses subject to such actions in order that small businesses will
not be unduly or disproportionately burdened. Marketing orders issued
pursuant to the Act, and the rules issued thereunder, are unique in
that they are brought about through group action of essentially small
entities acting on their own behalf.
There are approximately 89 producers of Native spearmint oil
operating within the regulated production area. In addition, there are
approximately 6 Native spearmint oil handlers subject to regulation
under the Order. Small agricultural service firms are defined by the
Small Business Administration (SBA) as those having annual receipts of
equal to or less than $34.0 million (Postharvest Crop Activities, NAICS
code 11514). Small agricultural producers of spearmint oil are defined
as those having annual receipts of equal to or less than $2.5 million
(All Other Miscellaneous Crop Farming, NAICS code 111998) (13 CFR
121.201).
The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) reported that
the 2023 U.S. season average spearmint oil producer price per pound was
$18.40 (both Scotch and Native). Native spearmint oil utilization for
the 2023-2024 marketing year, as reported by the
[[Page 96129]]
Committee, was 987,041 pounds for Native spearmint oil. Multiplying
$18.40 per pound by 2023-2024 marketing year spearmint oil utilization
of 987,041 pounds yields a crop value estimate of about $18.2 million.
Given the accounting requirements for the volume regulation
provisions of the Order, the Committee maintains accurate records of
each producer's production and sales. Using the $18.40 average
spearmint oil price and Committee production data for each producer,
the Committee estimates that all of the 89 Native spearmint oil
producers could be classified as small entities under the SBA
definition.
There is no third-party or governmental entity that collects and
reports spearmint oil prices received by spearmint oil handlers.
However, the Committee estimates an average spearmint oil handling
markup at approximately 20 percent of the price received by producers.
Twenty percent of the 2023 producer price ($18.40) is $3.68, which
results in a handler Free on Board (f.o.b.) price per pound estimate of
$22.08 ($18.40 + $3.68).
Multiplying this estimated handler f.o.b. price by the 2023-2024
marketing year total spearmint oil utilization of 1,536,364 pounds
(987,041 pounds of Native + 549,323 pounds of Scotch) results in an
estimated handler-level spearmint oil value of $33.9 million. Dividing
this figure by the number of handlers (6) yields estimated average
annual handler receipts of about $5.7 million, which is well below the
$34.0 million SBA threshold for small agricultural service firms.
Furthermore, using confidential data compiled by the Committee on
the pounds of spearmint oil handled by each handler and the
abovementioned estimated handler price per pound, the Committee
reported that it is not likely that any of the six handlers had 2023-
2024 marketing year spearmint oil sales that exceeded SBA's threshold.
Therefore, in view of the foregoing, the majority of producers of
spearmint oil may be classified as small entities, and all of the
handlers of spearmint oil may be classified as small entities.
This proposed rule would increase the quantity of Native spearmint
oil produced in the Far West, which handlers may purchase from, or
handle on behalf of, producers during the 2024-2025 marketing year,
which ends May 31, 2025. The 2024-2025 marketing year Native spearmint
oil salable quantity was initially established at 678,980 pounds and
the allotment percentage initially set at 26 percent. This proposed
rule would increase the Native spearmint oil salable quantity to
731,220 pounds and the allotment percentage to 28 percent. The
Committee recommended this proposed action to help maintain stability
in the spearmint oil market by matching supply to estimated demand,
thereby avoiding extreme fluctuations in supplies and prices.
Establishing quantities that may be purchased from or handled on behalf
of producers during the marketing year through volume regulation allows
producers to coordinate their spearmint oil production with the
expected market demand. Authority for this proposal is provided in
Sec. Sec. 985.50, 985.51, and 985.52 of the Order.
Based on the information and projections available at the October
9, 2024, meeting, the Committee considered several alternatives to this
increase. The Committee considered leaving the salable quantity and
allotment percentage unchanged, and also considered other potential
levels of increase. The Committee reached its recommendation to
increase the salable quantity and allotment percentage for Native
spearmint oil after careful consideration of all available information
and input from all interested industry participants and believes that
the levels recommended would achieve the desired objectives. The
recommendation to increase the salable quantity and allotment
percentage passed with a vote of 6 in favor with 2 opposed. The members
voting against the recommendation supported volume control, but did not
believe that additional supply would be necessary to meet 2024-2025
marketing year demand. Without the increase, the Committee believes the
industry may not be able to satisfactorily meet market demand.
The Committee's meeting was widely publicized throughout the
spearmint oil industry and all interested persons were invited to
attend the meeting and participate in Committee deliberations on all
issues. Like all Committee meetings, the October 9, 2024, meeting was a
public meeting and all entities, both large and small, were able to
express views on this issue. Finally, interested persons are invited to
submit comments on this proposed rule, including the regulatory and
informational impacts of this action on small businesses.
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, (44 U.S.C.
Chapter 35), the Order's information collection requirements have been
previously approved by OMB and assigned OMB No. 0581-0178, Vegetable
and Specialty Crops. No changes in those requirements would be
necessary because of this proposed rule. Should any changes become
necessary, they would be submitted to OMB for approval.
This proposed rule would relax the volume regulation requirements
established under the Order. Accordingly, this action would not impose
any additional reporting or recordkeeping requirements on either small
or large Far West spearmint oil handlers. As with all Federal marketing
order programs, reports and forms are periodically reviewed to reduce
information requirements and duplication by industry and public sector
agencies.
AMS is committed to complying with the E-Government Act, to promote
the use of the internet and other information technologies to provide
increased opportunities for citizen access to Government information
and services, and for other purposes.
AMS has not identified any relevant Federal rules that duplicate,
overlap, or conflict with this proposed rule.
A small business guide on complying with fruit, vegetable, and
specialty crop marketing agreements and orders may be viewed at:
<a href="https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/moa/small-businesses">https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/moa/small-businesses</a>. Any
questions about the compliance guide should be sent to Richard Lower at
the previously mentioned address in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section.
After consideration of all relevant material presented, including
the information and recommendations submitted by the Committee and
other available information, AMS has determined that this proposed rule
is consistent with and would effectuate the purposes of the Act.
A 15-day comment period is provided to allow interested persons to
respond to this proposal. Fifteen days is deemed appropriate because
handlers are aware of this proposed regulatory relaxation, which was
recommended by the Committee at a public meeting, and the subject
matter of this proposal is not complex. The 2024-2025 marketing year
ends on May 31, 2025. For the additional salable quantity proposed in
this rule to be available to the market, timely consideration of the
proposal is essential to ensure orderly market conditions. AMS will
consider all timely comments received before making a final
determination on this matter.
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 985
Marketing agreements, Oils and fats, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
[[Page 96130]]
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Agricultural
Marketing Service proposes to amend 7 CFR part 985 as follows:
PART 985--MARKETING ORDER REGULATING THE HANDLING OF SPEARMINT OIL
PRODUCED IN THE FAR WEST
0
1. The authority citation for 7 CFR part 985 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601-674.
0
2. Amend Sec. 985.234 by revising paragraph (b) to read as follows:
Sec. 985.234 Salable quantities and allotment percentages--2024-2025
marketing year.
* * * * *
(b) Class 3 (Native) oil--a salable quantity of 731,220 pounds and
an allotment percentage of 28 percent.
Erin Morris,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-28214 Filed 12-3-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
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