Proposed Rule2025-09696
Natural Grass Sod Promotion, Research, and Information Order: Withdrawal of Proposed Rule
Primary source
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Published
May 29, 2025
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentAgricultural Marketing Service
Abstract
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is withdrawing the proposed rule published in the Federal Register on December 10, 2024, that proposed a new grass sod research and promotion program under the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996. The proposed Order was submitted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) by Turfgrass Producers International (TPI), a group of natural grass sod producers. AMS conducted a referendum among eligible producers to determine whether they favor establishing a national promotion, research, and information program (Program). After reviewing the results of the producer referendum, a simple majority of industry producers who voted in the referendum are not in favor of establishing a Program, and therefore, the proposed rule is being withdrawn.
Full Text
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 102 (Thursday, May 29, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 22671]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-09696]
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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. 90, No. 102 / Thursday, May 29, 2025 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 22671]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
7 CFR Part 1240
[Doc. No. AMS-LP-21-0028]
RIN 0581-AE07
Natural Grass Sod Promotion, Research, and Information Order:
Withdrawal of Proposed Rule
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of withdrawal of proposed rulemaking and termination of
rulemaking proceeding.
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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is withdrawing the
proposed rule published in the Federal Register on December 10, 2024,
that proposed a new grass sod research and promotion program under the
Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996. The
proposed Order was submitted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) by Turfgrass Producers International (TPI), a group of natural
grass sod producers. AMS conducted a referendum among eligible
producers to determine whether they favor establishing a national
promotion, research, and information program (Program). After reviewing
the results of the producer referendum, a simple majority of industry
producers who voted in the referendum are not in favor of establishing
a Program, and therefore, the proposed rule is being withdrawn.
DATES: As of May 29, 2025, the proposed rule published December 10,
2024 (89 FR 99149) is withdrawn.
ADDRESSES: Maribel Reyna, Research and Promotion Division; Livestock
and Poultry Program, AMS, USDA; Room 2092-S, STOP 0249; 1400
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-0249; telephone: (202)
302-1139; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b0fdd1c2d9d2d5dc9ee2d5c9ded1f0c5c3d4d19ed7dfc6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="95d8f4e7fcf7f0f9bbc7f0ecfbf4d5e0e6f1f4bbf2fae3">[email protected]</span></a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maribel Reyna; Director; Research and
Promotion Division; Livestock and Poultry Program, AMS, USDA;
telephone: (202) 302-1139; or email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#256844574c4740490b77405c4b4465505641440b424a53"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2b664a5942494e4705794e52454a6b5e584f4a054c445d">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This withdrawal is issued pursuant to the
Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996 (1996 Act or
Act) (7 U.S.C. 7411-7425).
This action withdraws a proposed rule published in the Federal
Register on December 10, 2024, for the establishment of an industry-
funded promotion, research, and information program for natural grass
sod products (89 FR 99149).
In accordance with the procedures established in the final rule,
``Natural Grass Sod Promotion, Research, and Information Order;
Referendum Procedures'' (89 FR 99059; December 10, 2024), codified at 7
CFR part 1240, AMS conducted an initial referendum to determine whether
issuance of the proposed Order was favored by natural grass sod
producers. The voting period was January 13, 2025, through February 11,
2025. To be eligible to vote, current natural grass sod producers had
to have sold natural grass sod products in the United States during the
representative period from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024.
Eligible producers provided evidence of natural grass sod sales during
the representative period. Ballots were mailed to all known eligible
natural grass sod producers on or before January 10, 2025. Ballots were
received by the Referendum Agents no later than the close of business 5
p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) on February 11, 2025.
After reviewing and tabulating the ballots April 7, 2025, through
April 10, 2025, AMS determined that the results of the votes showed
that a simple majority of producers were not in favor of issuance of an
Order. AMS received a total of 411 ballots, 348 of which were valid.
Two hundred and twenty-one (221) producers voted against, and one
hundred and twenty-seven (127) producers voted in favor of the proposed
Order.
Referendum Voting Results as Required by the Order
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Number Percent
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Yes................................................. 127 36.49
No.................................................. 221 63.51
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Total Valid Ballots............................... 348 100
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Accordingly, the proposed rule to implement a new grass sod
research and promotion program under the 1996 Act published in the
Federal Register on December 10, 2024 (89 FR 99149) is hereby
withdrawn.
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 1240
Administrative practice and procedure, Advertising, Consumer
information, Marketing agreements, Natural grass sod, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 7411-7425.
Erin Morris,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-09696 Filed 5-28-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
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