AGENCY:

Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This final rule amends Marketing Order No. 929, which regulates 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. The amendment, which was proposed by the Cranberry Marketing Committee (Committee), was approved by growers and processors in the referendum. This action authorizes the Committee to accept contributions from domestic sources for research and development activities authorized under the marketing order that would be free from any encumbrances as to their use by the donor.

DATES:

This rule is effective March 20, 2019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Geronimo Quinones, Marketing Specialist, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; Telephone: (202) 720-2491, Fax: (202) 720-8938, or Email: Geronimo.Quinones@usda.gov.

Small businesses may request information on complying with this regulation by contacting Richard Lower, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; Telephone: (202) 720-2491, Fax: (202) 720-8938, or Email: Richard.Lower@usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This action, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553, amends regulations issued to carry out a marketing order as defined in 7 CFR 900.2(j). This rule is issued under Marketing Order No. 929, as amended (7 CFR part 929), 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. Part 929 (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, which is responsible for the local administration of the Order, is comprised of cranberry growers operating within the production area and a public member. Section 608c(17) of the Act and the applicable rules of practice and procedure governing the formulation of marketing agreements and orders (7 CFR part 900) authorize amendment of the Order through this informal rulemaking action.

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing this rule in conformance with Executive Orders 13563 and 13175. This action falls within a category of regulatory actions that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) exempted from Executive Order 12866 review. Additionally, because this proposed rule does not meet the definition of a significant regulatory action, it does not trigger the requirements contained in Executive Order 13771. See OMB's Memorandum titled “Interim Guidance Implementing Section 2 of the Executive Order of January 30, 2017, titled `Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs' ” (February 2, 2017).

This rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform. This rule is not intended to have retroactive effect.

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 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. A 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 no later than 20 days after the date of entry of the ruling.

Section 1504 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill) (Pub. L. 110-246) amended section 608c(17) of the Act, which in turn required the addition of supplemental rules of practice to 7 CFR part 900 (73 FR 49307; August 21, 2008). The amendment of section 8c(17) of the Act and additional supplemental rules of practice authorize the use of informal rulemaking (5 U.S.C. 553) to amend Federal fruit, vegetable, and nut marketing agreements and orders. USDA may use informal rulemaking to amend marketing orders based on the nature and complexity of the proposed amendments, the potential regulatory and economic impacts on affected entities, and any other relevant matters.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) considered these factors and has determined that amending the Order as proposed could appropriately be accomplished through informal rulemaking.

The proposed amendment was unanimously recommended by the Committee following deliberations at a public meeting held in August 2017. A proposed rule soliciting comments on the amendment was issued on April 19, 2018, and published in the Federal Register on April 27, 2018 (83 FR 18460). One comment was received. No changes to the proposed rule were made. A proposed rule and referendum order was then issued on September 7, 2018, and published in the Federal Register on September 14, 2018 (83 FR 46661). This document directed that a referendum among cranberry producers and processors be conducted October 29, 2018, through November 19, 2018, to determine whether they favored the proposal. To become effective, the amendment had to be approved by two-thirds of producers voting or by those producers voting in the referendum who represented at least two-thirds of the volume of cranberries. In addition, the proposed amendment had to be approved by processors who had frozen or canned more than 50 percent of the volume of cranberries within the production area.

The amendment was favored by 88 percent of the growers voting and by 96 percent of the volume represented, the second of which exceeds the two-thirds volume requirement. In addition, the amendment was favored by the cranberry processors voting in the referendum. The processor vote met the requirement of being favored by processors of cranberries that processed more than 50 percent of the total volume of cranberries.

The amendment in this final rule authorizes the Committee to receive and expend voluntary contributions from domestic sources for research and development activities.

Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

Pursuant to the requirements set forth in the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601-612), 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 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 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 1,100 cranberry growers in the regulated area and approximately 65 cranberry handlers subject to regulation under the Order. Small agricultural producers are defined by the Small Business Administration (SBA) as those having annual receipts of less than $750,000, and small agricultural service firms are defined as those whose annual receipts are less than $7,500,000 (13 CFR 121.201).

According to industry and Committee data, the average grower price for cranberries during the 2016-17 crop year was $23.50 per barrel, and total sales were around 9.5 million barrels. The value of cranberries that crop year totaled $223,250,000 ($23.50 per barrel multiplied by 9.5 million barrels). Taking the total value of production for cranberries and dividing it by the total number of cranberry growers (1,100) provides an average return per grower of $202,955. Based on USDA's Market News reports, the average free on board (f.o.b.) price for cranberries was around $30.00 per barrel. Multiplying the f.o.b. price by total utilization of 9.5 million barrels results in an estimated handler-level cranberry value of $285 million. Dividing this figure by the number of handlers (65) yields an estimated average annual handler receipt of $4.3 million, which is below the SBA threshold for small agricultural service firms. Therefore, the majority of growers and handlers of cranberries may be classified as small entities.

The amendment, which was unanimously recommended by the Committee at a public meeting in August 2017, will add a new section, § 929.43, Contributions, to the Order. This section will authorize the Committee to accept voluntary financial contributions. Such contributions may only be accepted from domestic sources and must be free from any encumbrances or restrictions on their use by the donor. When received, the Committee will retain complete control of their use. The use of contributed funds will be limited to funding program activities authorized under § 929.45, Research and development.

This amendment will have no direct economic effect on growers or handlers. This amendment authorizes the Committee to accept financial contributions. With the potential for additional funding, more research and promotional projects can be undertaken.

Therefore, it is anticipated that both small and large producer and handler businesses will benefit from this amendment.

Alternatives to this proposal, including making no changes at this time, were considered. However, the Committee believes it will be beneficial to authorize the acceptance of financial contributions from domestic sources, which will help support research and promotional activities.

Paperwork Reduction Act

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. 0581-0189, “Fruit Crops.” No changes in those requirements are necessary as a result of this action. Should any changes become necessary, they would be submitted to OMB for approval.

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. In addition, USDA has not identified any relevant Federal rules that duplicate, overlap, or conflict with this rule.

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 citizens to access Government information and services, and for other purposes.

The Committee's meeting was widely publicized throughout the cranberry production area. All interested persons were invited to attend the meeting and encouraged to participate in Committee deliberations on all issues. The Committee meeting was public, and all entities, both large and small, were encouraged to express their views on this proposal.

A proposed rule concerning this action was published in the Federal Register on April 27, 2018 (83 FR 18460). Copies of the proposed rule were mailed or sent via facsimile to all Committee members and cranberry handlers. The rule was made available through the internet by USDA and the Office of the Federal Register. A 60-day comment period ending June 26, 2018, was provided to allow interested persons to respond to the proposal. One comment was received. The comment submitted was not related to this proposal; therefore, no changes were made to the proposed amendment.

A proposed rule and referendum order was then issued on September 7, 2018, and published in the Federal Register on September 14, 2018 (83 FR 46661). This document directed that a referendum among cranberry producers and processors be conducted October 29, 2018, through November 19, 2018, to determine whether they favored the proposal. To become effective, the amendment had to be approved by two-thirds of producers voting or by those producers voting in the referendum who represented at least two-thirds of the volume of cranberries. In addition, the proposed amendment had to be approved by processors who had frozen or canned more than 50 percent of the volume of cranberries within the production area.

The amendment was favored by 88 percent of the growers voting and by 96 percent of the volume represented, the second of which exceeds the two-thirds volume requirement. In addition, the amendment was favored by the cranberry processors voting in the referendum. The processor vote met the requirement of being favored by processors of cranberries that processed more than 50 percent of the total volume of cranberries.

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/​MarketingOrdersSmallBusinessGuide. Any questions about the compliance guide should be sent to Richard Lower at his previously mentioned address in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.

Order Amending the 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 ^[1]

Findings and Determinations

(a) Findings and Determinations Upon the Basis of the Rulemaking Record.

The findings hereinafter set forth are supplementary to the findings and determinations which were previously made in connection with the issuance of the Order; and all said previous findings and determinations are hereby ratified and affirmed, except insofar as such findings and determinations may be in conflict with the findings and determinations set forth herein.

1. The Order, as amended, and as hereby proposed to be further amended, and all of the terms and conditions thereof, would tend to effectuate the declared policy of the Act;

2. The Order, as amended, and as hereby proposed to be further amended, regulates 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 in the same manner as, and are applicable only to, persons in the respective classes of commercial and industrial activity specified in the Order;

3. The Order, as amended, and as hereby proposed to be further amended, is limited in application to the smallest regional production area which is practicable, consistent with carrying out the declared policy of the Act, and the issuance of several orders applicable to subdivisions of the production area would not effectively carry out the declared policy of the Act;

4. The Order, as amended, and as hereby proposed to be further amended, prescribes, insofar as practicable, such different terms applicable to different parts of the production area as are necessary to give due recognition to the differences in the production and marketing of cranberries produced in the production area; and

5. All handling of cranberries produced in the production area as defined in the Order is in the current of interstate or foreign commerce or directly burdens, obstructs, or affects such commerce.

(b) Additional Findings.

It is necessary and in the public interest to make this amendment effective not later than one day after publication in the Federal Register. A later effective date would unnecessarily delay implementation of the amendment. This amendment should be in place as soon as possible so that the Committee may accept financial contributions from sources not subject to the Order who have previously expressed interest in supporting research and development projects currently funded by the Order. Prior to this amendment, the Committee could only fund program operations, including research and development projects, from assessments. This amendment will now allow the Committee to accept financial contributions and potentially undertake more research and development projects. In view of the foregoing, it is hereby found and determined that good cause exists for making this amendment effective one day after publication in the Federal Register and that it would be contrary to the public interest to delay the effective date for 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. (Sec. 553(d), Administrative Procedure Act; 5 U.S.C. 551-559.)

(c) Determinations.

It is hereby determined that:

1. Handlers (excluding cooperative associations of producers who are not engaged in processing, distributing, or shipping of cranberries covered under the Order) who during the period September 1, 2016, through August 31, 2017, handled not less than 50 percent of the volume of such cranberries covered by said Order, as hereby amended, have signed an amended marketing agreement; and

2. The issuance of this amendatory order, amending the aforesaid Order, is favored or approved by at least two-thirds of the producers who participated in a referendum on the question of approval and who, during the period of September 1, 2016, through August 31, 2017, have been engaged within the production area in the production of such cranberries, such producers having also produced for market at least two-thirds of the volume of such commodity represented in the referendum; and is favored or approved by processors who had frozen or canned more than 50 percent of the volume of cranberries within the production area during the period September 1, 2016, through August 31, 2017.

3. The issuance of this amendatory order together with a signed marketing agreement advances the interests of growers of cranberries in the production area pursuant to the declared policy of the Act.

Order Relative to Handling

It is therefore ordered, that on and after the effective date hereof, all 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 shall be in conformity to, and in compliance with, the terms and conditions of the said Order as hereby proposed to be amended as follows:

The provisions of the proposed marketing order amending the Order contained in the proposed rule issued by the Administrator on April 19, 2018, and published in the Federal Register on April 27, 2018, (83 FR 18460) will be and are the terms and provisions of this order amending the Order and are set forth in full herein.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 929

• Cranberries
• Marketing agreements
• Reporting and recordkeeping requirements

For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 7 CFR part 929 is amended as follows:

PART 929—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

1. The authority citation for 7 CFR part 929 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601-674.

2. Add § 929.43 to read as follows:

Footnotes