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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 146 (Tuesday, July 30, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 45898]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-18225]

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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. 78, No. 146 / Tuesday, July 30, 2013 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 45898]]

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 955

[Docket No. AMS-FV-13-0037; FV13-955-2 CR]

Vidalia Onions Grown in Georgia; 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 producers of Vidalia onions grown in Georgia to determine 
whether they favor continuance of the marketing order that regulates 
the handling of Vidalia onions produced in the production area.

DATES: The referendum will be conducted from September 9 through 
September 27, 2013. To vote in this referendum, producers must have 
produced Vidalia onions within the designated production area in 
Georgia during the period of January 1 through December 31, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the marketing order may be obtained from the 
referendum agents at 799 Overlook Drive, Winter Haven, FL 33884, or the 
Office of the Docket Clerk, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, 
Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., 
STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; Fax: (202) 720-8938; or Internet: 
www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Corey E. Elliott, Marketing 
Specialist, or Christian D. Nissen, Regional Director, Southeast 
Marketing Field Office, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Fruit 
and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA, 799 Overlook Drive, Winter Haven, FL 
33884; Telephone: (863) 324-3375, Fax: (863) 325-8793, or Email: 
Corey.Elliott@ams.usda.gov or Christian.Nissen@ams.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to Marketing Agreement and Order 
No. 955, as amended (7 CFR Part 955), 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 
the producers. The referendum shall be conducted from September 9 
through September 27, 2013, among Vidalia onion producers in the 
production area. Only Vidalia onion producers that were engaged in the 
production of Vidalia onions in Georgia during the period of January 1 
through December 31, 2012, 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 fewer than two-thirds of the producers voting in the referendum and 
producers of less than two-thirds of the volume of Vidalia onions 
represented in the referendum favor continuance. In evaluating the 
merits of continuance versus termination, USDA will not exclusively 
consider the results of the continuance referendum. USDA will also 
consider all other relevant information concerning the operation of the 
order and the relative benefits and disadvantages to producers, 
handlers, and consumers in determining whether continued operation of 
the order would tend to effectuate the declared policy of the Act.
    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
3501-3520), the ballot materials to be used in the referendum have been 
submitted to and approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
and have been assigned OMB No. 0581-0178, Vegetable and Specialty Crop 
Marketing Orders. It has been estimated that it will take an average of 
20 minutes for each of the approximately 80 producers of Vidalia onions 
in Georgia to cast a ballot. Participation is voluntary. Ballots 
postmarked after September 27, 2013, will not be included in the vote 
tabulation.
    Corey E. Elliott and Christian D. Nissen of the Southeast Marketing 
Field Office, Fruit and Vegetable 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 
900.400-900.407).
    Ballots will be mailed 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 955

    Marketing agreements, Onions, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

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

    Dated: July 24, 2013.
Rex A. Barnes,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-18225 Filed 7-29-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
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