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[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 2, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 72-77]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-28169]

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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.

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


Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 1 / Tuesday, January 2, 2018 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 72]]

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 929

[Doc. No. AMS-SC-17-0061; SC17-929-2 PR]

Cranberries Grown in States of Massachusetts, et al.; Free and 
Restricted Percentages for the 2017-18 Crop Year for Cranberries

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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

SUMMARY: This proposed rule invites comments on a recommendation to 
establish free and restricted percentages for the 2017-18 crop year 
under the marketing order for cranberries grown in the production area 
(Order). This action would establish the proportion of cranberries from 
the 2017-18 crop which may be handled and allow for the disposal of 
2017-18 processed cranberry products. It would also establish a minimum 
quantity exemption and an exemption for handlers with no carryover 
inventory, exempt organically grown cranberries, and define outlets for 
restricted fruit. This action would adjust supply to more closely meet 
market demand, improve grower and handler returns and reduce inventory. 
This proposal also contains a formatting change to subpart references 
to bring the language into conformance with the Office of Federal 
Register requirements.

DATES: Comments must be received by February 1, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments 
concerning this proposal. Comments must be sent to the Docket Clerk, 
Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, 
USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250-
0237; Fax: (202) 720-8938; or internet: http://www.regulations.gov. All 
comments should reference the document number and the date and page 
number of this issue of the Federal Register and will be made available 
for public inspection in the Office of the Docket Clerk during regular 
business hours, or can be viewed at: http://www.regulations.gov. All 
comments submitted in response to this proposal will be included in the 
record and will be made available to the public. 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: Doris Jamieson, Marketing Specialist, 
or Christian D. Nissen, Regional Director, Southeast Marketing Field 
Office, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Specialty Crops 
Program, AMS, USDA; Telephone: (863) 324-3375, Fax: (863) 291-8614, or 
Email: [email protected] or [email protected].
    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: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This action, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553, 
proposes an amendment to regulations issued to carry out a marketing 
order as defined in 7 CFR 900.2(j). This proposal is issued under 
Marketing Agreement and 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 Cranberry 
Marketing Committee (Committee) locally administers the Order and is 
comprised of growers and handlers of cranberries operating within the 
production area, and a public member.
    The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing this proposed 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 proposal has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil 
Justice Reform. Order provisions provide that the Committee may 
recommend and implement, subject to USDA approval, volume control 
regulation which would decrease the available supply of cranberries, 
whenever the Secretary finds that ``such regulation will tend to 
effectuate the declared policy of the Act.'' Accordingly, this proposed 
rule would establish free and restricted percentages for cranberries 
for the 2017-18 crop year, beginning September 1, 2017, through August 
31, 2018.
    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 not later than 20 days after the date of 
the entry of the ruling.
    This proposed rule invites comments on the establishment of free 
and restricted percentages for the 2017-18 crop year. This proposal 
would establish the proportion of cranberries from the 2017-18 crop 
that may be handled at 85 percent free and 15 percent restricted. This 
action would also allow for the disposal of 2017-18 processed cranberry 
products to meet up to 50 percent of a handler's

[[Page 73]]

restriction. It would also establish a minimum quantity exemption, 
exempt handlers with no carryout inventory, exempt organically grown 
cranberries, and define outlets for restricted fruit. This action would 
adjust supply to more closely meet market demand, improve grower 
returns, and help reduce inventory.
    The Committee met on August 4, 2017, and August 31, 2017, and 
recommended establishing these free and restricted percentages for the 
2017-18 season, providing handlers with the option to divert processed 
cranberry products to meet up to 50 percent of their restricted 
percentage, and designating outlets for restricted fruit. The Committee 
also recommended establishing a minimum exemption of 125,000 barrels 
for each handler. After much consideration, USDA determined the minimum 
exemption portion of the recommendation should be revised. 
Consequently, this proposal would only exempt small handlers who 
process less than 125,000 barrels or handlers who would not have 
carryover inventory at the end of the 2017-18 fiscal year from the 
restriction. The 125,000 barrel exemption would not apply to handlers 
who do not meet these criteria.
    Sections 929.52 and 929.54 provide authority to control volume by 
designating free and restricted percentages for cranberries acquired by 
handlers in a given crop year. Section 929.52 also provides that the 
Secretary shall control the handling of cranberries whenever the 
Secretary finds, from the recommendations and information submitted by 
the committee, or from other such information, that such volume control 
will tend to effectuate the declared policy of the Act. Free percentage 
volume may be shipped to any market, while restricted percentage volume 
must be diverted or used for noncompetitive purposes as prescribed in 
Sec.  929.57. Section 929.51 requires the Committee to consider certain 
conditions, including supply and demand, prior to recommending a 
handler withholding program, and that any recommendation to do so be 
made by August 31.
    Section 929.58(a) provides the authority to exempt from any or all 
requirements the handling of cranberries in such minimum quantities as 
the Committee, with the approval of the Secretary, may prescribe. 
Section 929.58(b) provides, in part, the authority to exempt from any 
or all requirements the handling of cranberries of such forms or types, 
including organic cranberries, as the Committee, with the approval of 
the Secretary, may prescribe.
    Domestic cranberry production has been increasing over the past few 
years, up from 8.0 million barrels in 2012 to 9.6 million barrels in 
2016. During the last few years, demand has remained relatively flat, 
and has not kept pace with the increases in supply. This has led to 
increasing levels of inventories. Ending inventory levels have 
increased from 5.8 million barrels in 2012 to 9.7 million barrels in 
2016.
    Demand for cranberries is inelastic, meaning changes in consumer 
price have a minimal effect on total sales volume. However, grower 
prices are very sensitive to changes in supply. As such, higher 
inventory levels place downward pressure on grower prices for 
cranberries and reduce grower returns. Data reviewed by the Committee 
indicates that the price per barrel received by some growers has fallen 
from $30 a barrel in 2011 to $10 a barrel in 2016. With the cost of 
production estimated at approximately $35 a barrel, for many growers 
returns have fallen below the cost of production.
    On August 4, 2017, and again on August 31, 2017, the Committee met 
to discuss the levels of supply and demand and how market conditions 
were impacting the industry. The Committee discussed the approximate 
levels of production for the 2017-18 season, forecasting production at 
approximately 9.1 million barrels. Carry-in inventory was estimated at 
approximately 9.9 million barrels and foreign acquired cranberries are 
expected to provide an additional 2.1 million barrels, for a total 
available supply of approximately 21.1 million barrels for the year. 
After accounting for shrinkage, the Committee agreed on an adjusted 
supply of 20.4 million barrels for the 2017-18 season.
    The Committee also reviewed anticipated sales for the upcoming 
season. Sales for fresh fruit were estimated at 333,000 barrels and 
processed fruit sales were estimated at 9.2 million barrels. Based on 
these expectations, inventory at the end of the 2017-18 crop year is 
anticipated to be roughly 10.9 million barrels, a 10 percent increase 
from the previous year. Using these numbers, end of year inventories 
would be approximately 115 percent of average annual sales.
    After calculating the anticipated level of surplus for the 2017-18 
season, the Committee agreed the industry is faced with a large 
inventory that continues to build. In its discussions of how to address 
this issue, the Committee considered several options. During the 
discussion of regulating the volume for the 2017-18 season, some 
members preferred establishing a producer allotment for the 2018-19 
season over implementing a handler withholding for the current season. 
However, other members stated that if no action was taken to control 
supply for the 2017-18 season, another million barrels of cranberries 
would be added to the surplus inventory. In addition, not regulating 
the 2017-18 crop would require greater levels of restriction on the 
2018-19 crop, and grower returns may decline further.
    The Committee discussed various levels of restriction, being 
sensitive to the impact volume control could have on small handlers. 
Some small handlers are able to sell all their production each year and 
do not maintain an inventory. Several Committee members stated a large 
restriction would place a hardship on these small handlers. The 
Committee also recognized a small restriction would not immediately 
balance supply with demand. However, even a small restriction would 
remove a portion of the volume from the market and help prevent an 
additional increase in inventory. Therefore, based on these 
discussions, the Committee recommended establishing free and restricted 
percentages at 85 percent free and 15 percent restricted.
    The Committee also recommended an allowance for the diversion of 
2017-18 processed cranberry products to meet up to 50 percent of a 
handler's restriction. The Committee made this recommendation 
recognizing that processing fresh fruit to produce one of its top-
selling items, sweetened dried cranberries, results in juice 
concentrate as a by-product. A significant amount of current carry-in 
inventory is in the form of juice concentrate. By allowing for the 
diversion of processed cranberry products, such as juice concentrate, 
to meet a portion of a handler's restriction, the Committee believes 
this would help prevent additional build-up of carry-in inventory. The 
ability to use cranberry processed products in addition to fresh 
berries to meet diversion requirements may also help handlers who find 
they need to divert additional volume late in the year when the 
availability of fresh berries may be limited.
    To ensure the disposal of processed products in lieu of fresh 
berries are correctly accounted for under the restriction, the 
Committee also recommended including a conversion table, Table 1, in 
the regulations. The table recognizes different conversion 
equivalencies of berries to processed product based on the volume of 
Brix concentrate.
    Brix is the method for measuring the amount of sugar contained in 
the cranberry products, and the industry average is 50 Brix. The 
Committee

[[Page 74]]

acknowledged that the Brix level can vary depending on the growing 
region and farming practices. This table would assist in ensuring that 
the disposal of processed product in lieu of fresh berries would be 
applied equitably among all handlers.

                                            Table 1--Conversion Table
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Region                   Brix average       Concentrate yield for one barrel of cranberries
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oregon.................................             9.8  1.91 gallons 50 Brix concentrate.
Washington.............................             9.3  1.81 gallons 50 Brix concentrate.
New Jersey.............................             8.8  1.72 gallons 50 Brix concentrate.
Wisconsin..............................             8.7  1.70 gallons 50 Brix concentrate.
Massachusetts..........................             8.4  1.64 gallons 50 Brix concentrate.
All others.............................             8.7  1.70 gallons 50 Brix concentrate.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For example, using the conversion table above, handlers could 
determine the amount of cranberry concentrate they would need to 
divert, in lieu of fresh berries, to cover any restricted percentage. 
Juice concentrate should comprise the vast majority of processed 
product used for diversion. Should requests be made to use other 
processed products for diversion, conversion rates for those products 
would be provided by the Committee based on information provided by the 
requesting handler. The means for approving and appealing the 
conversion rates would be provided in a separate rulemaking action.
    For example, a handler covered under the restriction whose acquired 
volume is 1,000,000 barrels would have 1,000,000 barrels in regulated 
volume with 850,000 barrels of free use cranberries (1,000,000 x .85) 
and 150,000 barrels of restricted use cranberries (1,000,000 x .15) for 
the 2017-18 season. Under this proposed rule, the handler could divert 
fresh fruit to outlets for restricted cranberries as prescribed in the 
Order, or divert up to 50 percent of the restriction, or a 75,000 
barrel equivalent (150,000 barrels / 2) in processed products from the 
2017-18 harvest, with the remaining amount fulfilled using fresh 
berries. For cranberries produced in Wisconsin, this would equate to 
127,500 gallons of concentrate (75,000 barrels x 1.7 gallons) that 
would need to be diverted to outlets for restricted cranberries.
    Section 929.57 states that cranberries withheld from handling may 
only be diverted through such outlets as the Committee, with the 
approval of the Secretary, finds are noncompetitive to outlets for 
unrestricted (free percentage) cranberries. The Committee discussed 
various outlets and recommended the following: Foreign countries, 
except Canada; charitable institutions; any nonhuman food use; and, 
research and development projects approved by the Committee dealing 
with the development of foreign and domestic markets, including, but 
not limited to dehydration, radiation, freeze drying, or freezing of 
cranberries as outlets for withheld cranberries. They further 
recommended that cranberries may not be converted into canned, frozen, 
or dehydrated cranberries or other cranberry products by any commercial 
process prior to diversion to foreign countries. These outlets for 
restricted cranberries would be added to the rules and regulations 
under the Order by creating a new Sec.  929.108.
    The Committee also recommended organically grown cranberries be 
exempt from this proposed regulation as they serve a niche market and 
represent a very small portion of the total crop. All other cranberry 
production, including fresh cranberries, would be subject to regulation 
under the handler withhold volume regulation.
    To address the burden the volume regulation would have on small 
handlers, the Committee also recommended providing a minimum quantity 
exemption of 125,000 barrels. Under the Committee's recommendation, the 
exemption would be given to handlers of record for the 2016-17 
(previous) crop year and the 125,000 barrels would be subtracted from 
the handler's 2017-18 acquired volume before the restricted percentage 
would be applied. Small handlers whose acquired volume is 125,000 
barrels or less would be exempt from the volume regulation, and 
handlers with slightly larger volumes would face minimal restrictions.
    After much consideration, USDA determined the minimum exemption 
recommendation should be revised under this proposal. Rather than 
provide an exemption of 125,000 barrels for each handler, this action 
would exempt small handlers who process less than 125,000 barrels from 
the 15 percent restriction. Further, only handlers who would have 
carryover inventory that is not sold or under contract at the end of 
the 2017-18 fiscal year would be subject to the 15 percent restriction. 
These changes would reflect the Committee's goal of reducing the burden 
on small handlers, and would allow handlers that have matched their 
production with market demand to continue to serve their customer base 
and protect their market share. Handlers subject to the restriction 
should be able to meet any market shortfalls by utilizing cranberries 
or cranberry products they have in inventory.
    With this change, only those handlers carrying inventory would be 
subject to the restriction. In reviewing the Committee's recommendation 
and other available industry information, it is the existing 
inventories in excess of 9 million barrels that is putting the most 
downward pressure on returns to both grower and handler. Consequently, 
this change would put more focus on reducing the volume in inventory.
    Accordingly, this proposal would establish free and restricted 
percentages of 85 percent and 15 percent, respectively, for the 2017-18 
season, provide handlers with the option to divert processed cranberry 
products to meet up to 50 percent of their restricted percentage, and 
define outlets for restricted fruit. The Committee recommended these 
actions in a vote of 11 in favor and 2 opposed. This rule would also 
would exempt small handlers who process less than 125,000 barrels from 
the restriction, as well as handlers with no carryout inventory.
    One member who opposed the Committee's recommendations stated the 
regulation would cause a hardship on small handlers, as many are able 
to sell all of their production each season and do not maintain an 
inventory. He further stated that the small handlers did not create the 
problem and should not be a part of the solution. However, this issue 
is addressed by providing the minimum exemption of 125,000 barrels of 
cranberries, which would exempt many small handlers from the regulation 
entirely. The other member

[[Page 75]]

who voted against the recommendation opposed volume regulation in 
general.
    The Committee considered the estimated level of production, 
anticipated demand, and determined that without some action on the part 
of the Committee, inventory levels would continue to increase 
throughout the 2017-18 season. The Committee believes using the volume 
control authorities in the Order would help stabilize marketing 
conditions for cranberries by helping to adjust supply to meet market 
demand and improve grower returns.
    The Committee also recommended reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements to be used with the volume regulation, as well as 
safeguard measures to monitor compliance. These recommendations are 
being considered under separate actions.

Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

    Pursuant to 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 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 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 season was $23.50 per barrel and 
total sales were approximately 9.5 million barrels. The value for 
cranberries that 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 provides an average return per grower of $202,955. 
Using the average price and utilization information, and assuming a 
normal distribution, the majority of cranberry growers receive less 
than $750,000 annually.
    According to USDA's Market News report, the average free on board 
(f.o.b.) price for cranberries was approximately $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 producers and handlers of cranberries may be 
classified as small entities.
    While cranberry production has continued to rise, demand has failed 
to keep pace, and inventories have been increasing. In an industry such 
as cranberries, product can be stored in inventory for long periods of 
time. Large inventories are costly to maintain, difficult to market, 
and have a price-depressing effect. When supply outpaces demand 
resulting in high levels of inventories, grower and handler returns can 
be negatively impacted.
    Demand for cranberries is inelastic, meaning changes in consumer 
price have a minimal effect on total sales. However, grower prices are 
very sensitive to changes in supply. With an inelastic demand, even a 
small shift in supply can affect grower prices. The Committee's 
recommendation to set free and restricted percentages would more 
closely align supply with demand. Free percentage cranberries could be 
marketed by handlers to any outlet, while restricted percentage volume 
could only be used for noncompetitive purposes. Establishing free and 
restricted percentages would result in a decrease in supply, as 
handlers can only deliver a certain portion of their cranberries into 
the competitive marketplace. Therefore, using volume regulation to 
reduce supply should increase grower and handler prices and revenues.
    This proposal would control the supply of cranberries by 
establishing free and restricted percentages at 85 percent free and 15 
percent restricted for the 2017-18 crop year. It would also allow for 
the diversion of 2017-18 processed cranberry products to meet up to 50 
percent of a handler's restriction. In addition, this proposal would 
establish a minimum quantity exemption, exempt handlers with no 
carryout inventory, exempt organically grown cranberries, and define 
outlets for restricted fruit. These actions are designed to help 
stabilize marketing conditions, reduce burdensome inventories, and 
improve grower and handler returns. This rule would establish new 
Sec. Sec.  929.107, 929.108 and 929.252. The authority for these 
actions is provided for in Sec. Sec.  929.51, 929.52, 929.54, 929.57, 
929.58. These changes are based on Committee recommendations from 
meetings on August 4 and August 31, 2017.
    While these actions could result in some additional costs to the 
industry, the benefits are expected to outweigh them. The purpose of 
establishing free and restricted percentages is to address oversupply 
conditions and to stabilize grower prices. The industry has a 
significant volume in inventory, and this has had a negative impact on 
grower and handler returns. Without volume control, inventories would 
likely continue to increase, further lowering returns.
    Inventories have more than doubled since 2011. In 2011, existing 
inventories were around 4.6 million barrels. By the end of the 2016-17 
season, inventories are anticipated to be around 9.9 million barrels. 
Inventories as a percentage of total sales have also been increasing 
from approximately 50 percent in 2010 to approximately 103 percent in 
2016, and will reach an anticipated 115 percent after the 2017-18 
season if volume control is not implemented. These inventories have had 
a depressing effect on grower prices, which for many has fallen below 
their cost of production.
    Retail demand for cranberries is highly inelastic, which indicates 
changes in consumer price do not result in significant changes in the 
quantity demanded. Consumer prices largely do not reflect changes in 
cranberry supplies. Therefore, this action should have little or no 
effect on consumer prices and should not result in a reduction in 
retail sales. However, even a small shift in supply could increase 
grower and handler returns. The use of free and restricted percentages 
would likely have a positive impact on grower and handler returns for 
this crop year.
    This proposal would result in some fruit being taken off the 
market. However, a sufficient amount of fruit would still be available 
to supply all aspects of the market. In addition, allowing handlers the 
option to divert 2017-18 processed cranberry products to meet up to 50 
percent of their restriction would provide handlers some additional 
flexibility and may help reduce inventories of juice concentrate, one 
of the largest segments of existing inventory.
    This action would also exempt small handlers who process less than 
125,000

[[Page 76]]

barrels from the restriction. Consequently, small handlers whose 
acquired volume is 125,000 barrels or less would be exempt from the 
volume restriction, and handlers with slightly larger volumes would 
face minimal restrictions. This would reduce the burden the volume 
restriction would have on small handlers and their growers.
    In addition, only handlers who would have carryover inventory that 
is not sold or under contract at the end of the 2017-18 fiscal year 
would be subject to the 15 percent restriction. This would allow 
handlers that have matched their production with market demand to 
continue to serve their customer base and protect their market share. 
Handlers subject to the restriction would be able to meet any 
shortfalls by utilizing cranberries or cranberry products they have in 
inventory.
    There are also secondary uses available for restricted fruit, 
including foreign markets except Canada, charitable institutions, 
nonhuman food use, and research and development projects. While these 
alternatives may provide different levels of return than sales to 
primary markets, they play an important role for the industry. In 
addition, if demand is greater than anticipated, there are significant 
amounts of fruit in inventory that could be utilized to meet demand.
    As the restriction represents a percentage of a handler's volume, 
the costs, when applicable, are proportionate and should not place an 
extra burden on small entities as compared to large entities. Likewise, 
growers and handlers, regardless of size, would benefit from the 
stabilizing effects of this restriction.
    One alternative considered was not to impose volume restrictions 
during the 2017-18 crop year. However, Committee members believed that 
inventory levels were such that some form of volume control was 
necessary to help stabilize marketing conditions.
    The Committee also considered other levels of free and restricted 
percentages. However, some members were concerned that setting a 
restriction that was too high could negatively impact small handlers. 
The Committee determined that allowing diversion of 50 percent to meet 
the restriction allows large handlers to reduce inventory and not add 
additional volumes of juice concentrate to the existing inventory 
levels. Therefore, for the reasons mentioned above, these alternatives 
were rejected by the Committee.
    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, Generic 
Fruit Crops. The Committee will be recommending reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements to be used with the volume restriction, as 
well as safeguard measures to monitor compliance, under a separate 
rulemaking action.
    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. USDA has not 
identified any relevant Federal rules that duplicate, overlap, or 
conflict with this proposed 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 citizen access to Government information 
and services, and for other purposes.
    In addition, the Committee's meetings were widely publicized 
throughout the cranberry industry and all interested persons were 
invited to attend the meetings and participate in Committee 
deliberations on all issues. Like all Committee meetings, the August 4 
and August 31, 2017, meetings were public meetings and all entities, 
both large and small, were able to express views on these issues. 
Finally, interested persons are invited to submit comments on this 
proposed rule, including the regulatory and informational impacts of 
this action on small businesses.
    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 the 
previously-mentioned address in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
section.
    A 30-day comment period is provided to allow interested persons to 
respond to this proposal. Thirty days is deemed appropriate since 
handlers are already receiving cranberries from the 2017-18 crop and 
the proposed handler withholding needs to be applied in order to be 
effective. All written comments timely received will be considered 
before a final determination is made on this rule.

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 
proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 929--CRANBERRIES GROWN IN STATES OF MASSACHUSETTS, RHODE 
ISLAND, CONNECTICUT, NEW JERSEY, WISCONSIN, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, 
OREGON, WASHINGTON, AND LONG ISLAND IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK

0
1. The authority citation for part 929 continues to read as follows:

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

Subpart Redesignated as Subpart A

0
2. Designate the subpart labeled ``Order Regulating Handling'' as 
Subpart A.

Subpart Redesignated as Subpart B and Amended

0
3. Designate the subpart labeled ``Rules and Regulations'' as Subpart B 
and revise the heading as shown below:

Subpart B--Administrative Requirements

0
4. Add Sec.  929.107 to read as follows:

Sec.  929.107   Conversion.

    During a year of volume regulation, cranberry concentrate and other 
processed products made from excess or restricted cranberries harvested 
in that year may be diverted according to the provisions of this part. 
Any handler disposing of concentrate or other processed products must 
report the whole-berry equivalent to the Committee so that all excess 
or restricted cranberries are accounted for and reported per rules and 
regulations in effect. Table 1-Conversion Table provides a conversion 
rate for concentrate to barrels of whole berries based on Brix average 
by production region. Should requests be made to use other processed 
products for diversion, conversion rates for those products would be 
provided by the Committee based on information provided by the 
requesting handler.

[[Page 77]]

                                   Table 1 to Sec.   929.107--Conversion Table
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Region                   Brix  average      Concentrate yield for one barrel of cranberries
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oregon.................................             9.8  1.91 gallons 50 Brix concentrate.
Washington.............................             9.3  1.81 gallons 50 Brix concentrate.
New Jersey.............................             8.8  1.72 gallons 50 Brix concentrate.
Wisconsin..............................             8.7  1.70 gallons 50 Brix concentrate.
Massachusetts..........................             8.4  1.64 gallons 50 Brix concentrate.
All others.............................             8.7  1.70 gallons 50 Brix concentrate.
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0
5. Add Sec.  929.108 to read as follows:

Sec.  929.108  Outlets for restricted cranberries.

    In accordance with Sec.  929.57, restricted cranberries may be 
diverted only to the following noncommercial or noncompetitive outlets:
    (a) Foreign countries, except Canada, provided that restricted 
cranberries diverted under this provision may not be converted into 
canned, frozen, or dehydrated cranberries or other cranberry products 
by any commercial process, prior to diversion;
    (b) Charitable institutions;
    (c) Any nonhuman food use, or;
    (d) Research and development projects approved by the Committee 
dealing with the development of foreign and domestic markets, 
including, but not limited to dehydration radiation, freeze drying, or 
freezing of cranberries.

Subpart Redesignated as Subpart C

0
6. Designate the subpart labeled ``Assessment Rate'' as Subpart C.
0
7. Add Sec.  929.252 to read as follows:

Sec.  929.252  Free and restricted percentages for the 2017-18 crop 
year.

    (a) The percentages for cranberries handled by handlers during the 
crop year beginning on September 1, 2017, which shall be free and 
restricted, respectively are designated as follows: Free percentage, 85 
percent and restricted percentage, 15 percent.
    (b) Handlers have the option to process restricted cranberries into 
dehydrated cranberries or other processed products. Handlers also have 
the option to divert concentrate or other processed products as 
provided in Sec.  929.107 to account for up to 50 percent of their 
restriction.
    (c) Organically grown fruit shall be exempt from the volume 
regulation requirements of this section. Small handlers who process 
less than 125,000 barrels during the 2017-18 fiscal year are exempt 
from the restriction. Any handler who does not have carryover inventory 
at the end of the 2017-18 fiscal year would also be exempt.

    Dated: December 26, 2017.
Bruce Summers,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-28169 Filed 12-29-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
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