```

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 119 (Thursday, June 20, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 37150]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-14709]

========================================================================
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.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 119 / Thursday, June 20, 2013 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 37150]]

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 956

[Docket No. AMS-FV-13-0024; FV13-956-1 CR]

Sweet Onions Grown in the Walla Walla Valley of Southeast 
Washington and Northeast Oregon; Continuance Referendum

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Referendum order.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document directs that a referendum be conducted among 
eligible producers of sweet onions in the Walla Walla Valley of 
southeast Washington and northeast Oregon, to determine whether they 
favor continuance of the marketing order regulating the handling of 
sweet onions produced in the production area.

DATES: The referendum will be conducted from September 14 through 
October 4, 2013. To vote in this referendum, producers must have 
produced Walla Walla sweet onions within the designated production area 
in Washington and Oregon during the period January 1 through December 
31, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the marketing order may be obtained from the 
referendum agents at 805 SW. Broadway, Suite 930, Portland, OR 97205, 
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: Manuel Michel, Marketing Specialist, 
or Gary D. Olson, Regional Director, Northwest Marketing Field Office, 
Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Fruit and Vegetable Program, 
AMS, USDA, 805 SW. Broadway, Suite 930, Portland, OR 97205; Telephone: 
(503) 326-2724, Fax: (503) 326-7440, or Email: Manuel.Michel@usda.gov 
or GaryD.Olson@usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to Marketing Agreement and Order 
No. 956, both as amended (7 CFR Part 956), 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 14 through October 4, 2013, among Walla Walla sweet onion 
producers in the production area. Only Walla Walla sweet onion 
producers that were engaged in the production of Walla Walla sweet 
onions in Washington and Oregon, 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 a majority of the producers voting in the referendum and producers 
of a majority of the volume of Walla Walla sweet onions represented in 
the referendum do not 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 order to determine 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 herein 
ordered 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 21 
producers of Walla Walla sweet onions in Washington and Oregon to cast 
a ballot. Participation is voluntary. Ballots postmarked after October 
4, 2013, will not be included in the vote tabulation.
    Manuel Michel and Gary D. Olson of the Northwest 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 956

    Marketing agreements, Onions, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

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

    Dated: June 14, 2013.
Rex A. Barnes,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-14709 Filed 6-19-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
```