Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2013/01/02/2012-30915/paper-and-paper-based-packaging-promotion-research-and-information-order-referendum-procedures
Timestamp: 2016-06-28 01:56:54
Document Index: 789087347

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1222', 'art 1222', '§ 1222', '§ 1222', '§ 1222', '§ 1222', '§ 1222', '§ 1222', '§ 1222', '§ 1222', '§ 1222']

Federal Register | Paper and Paper-Based Packaging Promotion, Research and Information Order; Referendum Procedures
78 FR 211
-216 (6 pages)
Document Number AMS-FV-11-0069 PR-B
Document Number: 2012-30915
Shorter URL: https://federalregister.gov/a/2012-30915 Related Topics
This proposed rule invites comments on procedures for conducting a referendum to determine whether issuance of a proposed Paper and Paper-Based Packaging Promotion, Research and Information Order (Order) is favored by manufacturers (domestic producers) and importers of paper and paper-based packaging. The procedures would also be used for any subsequent referendum under the Order. The proposed Order is being published separately in this issue of the Federal Register. This proposed rule also announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intent to request approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of new information collection requirements to implement the program.
Comments must be received by March 4, 2013. Pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), comments on the information collection burden that would result from this proposal must be received by March 4, 2013.
Interested persons are invited to submit written comments concerning this rule. Comments may be submitted on the Internet at: http://www.regulations.gov or to the Promotion and Economics Division, Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 1406-S, Stop 0244, Washington, DC 20250-0244; facsimile: (202) 205-2800. All comments should reference the docket number and the date and page number of this issue of the Federal Register and will be made available for public inspection, including name and address, if provided, in the above office during regular business hours or it can be viewed at http://www.regulations.gov.
Maureen T. Pello, Marketing Specialist, Promotion and Economics Division, Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA, P.O. Box 831, Beavercreek, Oregon 97004; telephone: (503) 632-8848; facsimile (503) 632-8852; or electronic mail: Maureen.Pello@ams.usda.gov.
This rule regarding proposed referendum procedures has been determined to be non-significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866 and therefore has not been reviewed by the OMB.
This rule invites comments on procedures for conducting a referendum to determine whether manufacturers and importers of paper and paper-based packaging favor issuance of a proposed paper and paper-based packaging Order. The program would cover four types of paper and paper-based packaging—printing, writing and related paper, kraft packaging paper (used for products like grocery bags and sacks), containerboard (used to make shipping containers and related products), and paperboard (used for food and beverage packaging, tubes, and other miscellaneous products).
USDA would conduct the referendum. The program would be implemented if it is favored by a majority of manufacturers and importers of paper and paper-based packaging voting in the referendum who also represent a majority of the volume of paper and paper-based packaging represented in the referendum. The procedures would also be used for any subsequent referendum under the Order. The proposed Order is being published separately in this issue of the Federal Register. This rule also announces AMS's intent to request approval by the OMB of new information collection requirements to implement the program.
The 1996 Act authorizes USDA to establish agricultural commodity research and promotion orders which may include a combination of promotion, research, industry information, and consumer information activities funded by mandatory assessments. These programs are designed to maintain and expand markets and uses for agricultural commodities. As defined under section 513(1)(D) of the 1996 Act, agricultural commodities include the products of forestry, which includes paper and paper-based packaging.
The 1996 Act provides for alternatives within the terms of a variety of provisions. Paragraph (e) of section 518 of the 1996 Act provides three options for determining industry approval of a new research and promotion program: (1) By a majority of those persons voting; (2) by persons voting for approval who represent a majority of the volume of the agricultural commodity; or (3) by a majority of those persons voting for approval who also represent a majority of the volume of the agricultural commodity. In addition, section 518 of the 1996 Act provides for referenda to ascertain approval of an order to be conducted either prior to its going into effect or within three years after assessments first begin under an order.
USDA received a proposal for a national research and promotion program for paper and paper-based packaging from the Paper and Paper-Based Packaging Panel (Panel). The Panel is a group of 14 industry members that was formed in May 2010 to oversee development of the program. The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), a national trade association, provided technical assistance to the Panel. The program would be financed by an assessment on paper and paper-based packaging manufacturers and importers and would be administered by a board of industry members selected by the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary). The assessment rate would initially be $0.35 per short ton. (One short ton equals 2,000 pounds.) Entities that manufacture or import less than 100,000 short tons annually would be exempt. The purpose of the program would be to maintain and expand markets for paper and paper-based packaging.
The Panel proposed that a referendum be held among eligible manufacturers and importers of paper and paper-based packaging to determine whether they favor implementation of the program prior to it going into effect. The Panel recommended that the program be implemented if it is favored by a majority of the manufacturers and importers voting in the referendum who also represent a majority of the volume of paper and paper-based packaging represented in the referendum. Manufacturers and importers who produce or import 100,000 short tons or more of paper and paper-based packaging annually would be eligible to vote in the referendum.
Accordingly, this rule would add subpart B to part 1222 that would establish procedures for conducting the referendum. The procedures would cover definitions, voting instructions, use of subagents, ballots, the referendum report, and confidentiality of information. The procedures would be applicable for the initial referendum and future referenda.
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Act Analysis Back to Top
According to the AF&PA, in 2011, there were 84 manufacturers in the United States that produced one or more of the four types of paper and paper-based packaging to be covered under the proposed Order. Using an average price of $760 per short ton,
a manufacturer who produced less than 9,210 short tons of paper and paper-based packaging per year would be considered a small entity. It is estimated that no more than four manufacturers produced less than 9,210 short tons in 2011. Thus, the majority of manufacturers would not be considered small businesses.
According to Customs data, it is estimated that, in 2011, there were about 2,612 importers of paper and paper-based packaging. Eighty-five importers, or about 3.2 percent, imported more than $7.0 million worth of paper and paper-based packaging. Thus, the majority of importers would be considered small entities. However, no importer who imported 100,000 short tons or more (the Order's proposed exemption threshold) imported less than $7.0 million worth of paper and paper-based packaging (19 importers). Therefore, none of the 19 importers to be covered under the proposed Order would be considered small businesses.
It is estimated that, in 2011, about 68.5 million short tons of paper and paper-based packaging were produced. Of the 68.5 million short tons, about 63.2 percent was manufactured in the South, 17.1 percent was manufactured in the Midwest, 10.5 percent was manufactured in the Northeast, and 9.2 percent was manufactured in the West.
According to Customs data, in 2011, imports of paper and paper-based packaging to be covered under the program totaled 7.5 million short tons. Of that total, about 58.6 percent was from Canada, 22.2 percent from Western Europe, 9.8 percent was from China, Japan and the Far East, 2.7 percent was from South America and the remainder was from other countries.
This proposed rule invites comments on procedures for conducting a referendum to determine whether manufacturers and importers of paper and paper-based packaging favor issuance of a proposed Order. USDA would conduct the referendum. The program would be implemented if it is favored by a majority of manufacturers and importers voting in a referendum who also represent a majority of paper and paper-based packaging represented in the referendum. The procedures would also be used for any subsequent referendum under the Order. The procedures are authorized under paragraph (e) of section 518 the 1996 Act.
Regarding the economic impact of this rule on affected entities, eligible manufacturers and importers would have the opportunity to participate in the referendum. The Order would exempt manufacturers and importers who produce or import less than 100,000 short tons annually from the payment of assessments. Exempt manufacturers and importers would not be eligible to participate in the referendum. Of the 84 manufacturers and 2,612 importers, it is estimated that about 51 manufacturers and 19 importers would pay assessments under the Order and thus be eligible to vote in the referendum. Using 2011 data and deducting exempt tonnage, it is estimated that if 72.5 million short tons of paper and paper-based packaging (67.2 million short tons domestic and 5.3 million short tons imported) were assessed at a rate of $0.35 per short ton, about $25.4 million would be collected in assessments. Of that $25.4 million, about 92.5 percent ($23.5 million) would be paid by domestic manufacturers and 7.5 percent ($1.9 million) would be paid by importers.
Voting in the referendum is optional. If manufacturers and importers chose to vote, the burden of voting would be offset by the benefits of having the opportunity to vote on whether or not they want to be covered by the program.
Regarding alternatives, USDA considered requiring eligible voters to vote in person at various USDA offices across the country. USDA also considered electronic voting, but the use of computers is not universal. Conducting the referendum from one central location by mail ballot would be more cost effective and reliable. USDA would provide easy access to information for potential voters through a toll free telephone line. This action would impose an additional reporting burden on eligible manufacturers and importers of paper and paper-based packaging. Eligible manufacturers and importers would have the opportunity to complete and submit a ballot to USDA indicating whether or not they favor implementation of the proposed Order. The specific burden for the ballot is detailed later in this document in the section titled Paperwork Reduction Act. As with all Federal promotion programs, reports and forms are periodically reviewed to reduce information requirements and duplication by industry and public sector agencies. Finally, USDA has not identified any relevant Federal rules that duplicate, overlap, or conflict with this rule.
Title: Paper and Paper-Based Packaging Promotion, Research and Information (Referendum Procedures).
Abstract: The information collection requirements in the request are essential to carry out the intent of the 1996 Act. The information collection concerns a proposal received by USDA for a national research and promotion program for paper and paper-based packaging. The program would be financed by an assessment on manufacturers and importers and would be administered by a board of industry members selected by the Secretary. The program would exempt manufacturers and importers who produce or import less than 100,000 short tons of paper and paper-based packaging annually. A referendum would be held among eligible manufacturers and importers to determine whether they favor implementation of the program prior to it going into effect. The purpose of the program would be to maintain and expand markets for paper and paper-based packaging.
The information collection requirements in this rule concern the referendum that would be held to determine whether the program is favored by the industry. Current manufacturers or importers that manufactured or imported 100,000 short tons or more of paper and paper-based packaging during the representative period would be eligible to vote in the referendum. The ballot would be completed by eligible manufacturers and importers who want to indicate whether or not they support implementation of the program.
Referendum Ballot Back to Top
Estimated Number of Respondents: 70 (51 manufacturers and 19 importers).
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 2.45 hours.
An estimated 70 respondents would provide information to the Board (51 manufacturers and 19 importers). The estimated cost of providing the information to the Board by respondents would be $80.85. This total has been estimated by multiplying 2.45 total hours required for reporting and recordkeeping by $33, the average mean hourly earnings of various occupations involved in keeping this information. Data for computation of this hourly rate was obtained from the U.S. Department of Labor statistics.
Request for Public Comment Under the Paperwork Reduction Act Back to Top
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the proposed Order and USDA's oversight of the proposed Order, including whether the information would have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of USDA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) the accuracy of USDA's estimate of the principal manufacturing areas in the United States for paper and paper-based packaging; (d) the accuracy of USDA's estimate of the number of manufacturers and importers that would be covered under the program; (e) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (f) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
2.Subpart B of 7 CFR part 1222 is added to read as follows: Sec.
1222.100 General.
1222.101 Definitions.
1222.102 Voting.
1222.103 Instructions.
1222.104 Subagents.
1222.105 Ballots.
1222.106 Referendum report.
1222.107 Confidential information.
1222.108 OMB Control number.
Subpart B—Referendum Procedures Back to Top
§ 1222.100 General.
Referenda to determine whether eligible manufacturers and importers favor the issuance, continuance, amendment, suspension, or termination of the Paper and Paper-Based Packaging Promotion, Research and Information Order shall be conducted in accordance with this subpart.
§ 1222.101 Definitions.
(b) Converted products means products made from paper and paper-based packaging.
(c) Customs or CBP means the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, an agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
(d) Department or USDA means the U.S. Department of Agriculture or any officer or employee of the Department to whom authority has heretofore been delegated, or to whom authority may hereafter be delegated, to act in the Secretary's stead.
(e) Eligible manufacturer or producer means any person who is currently a manufacturer or producer and who manufactured 100,000 short tons or more of paper and paper-based packaging during the representative period.
(f) Eligible importer means any person who is currently an importer and who imported 100,000 short tons or more of paper and paper-based packaging into the United States during the representative period as a principal or as an agent, broker, or consignee of any person who manufactured paper and paper-based packaging outside of the United States for sale in the United States, and who is listed as the importer of record for such paper and paper-based packaging. Importation occurs when paper and paper-based packaging manufactured outside of the United States is released from custody by Customs and introduced into the stream of commerce in the United States. Included are persons who hold title to foreign-manufactured paper and paper-based packaging immediately upon release by Customs, as well as any persons who act on behalf of others, as agents or brokers, to secure the release of paper and paper-based packaging from Customs when such paper and paper-based packaging is entered or withdrawn for use in the United States.
(g) Kraft process means a process that transforms wood into a high quality strong pulp for making paper and paper-based packaging.
(h) Linerboard means a grade of containerboard that is used as facing material in the manufacture of corrugated or solid fiber shipping boxes.
(i) Manufacture or produce means the process of transforming pulp into paper and paper-based packaging.
(j) Order means the Paper and Paper-Based Packaging Promotion, Research and Information Order.
(k) Paper and paper-based packaging means:
(5) For purposes of this Order, paper and paper-based packaging does not include tissue paper, newsprint or converted products.
(l) Person means any individual, group of individuals, partnership, corporation, association, cooperative, or any other legal entity. For the purpose of this definition, the term “partnership” includes, but is not limited to:
(1) A husband and a wife who have title to, or leasehold interest in, a paper and paper-based packaging manufacturing entity as tenants in common, joint tenants, tenants by the entirety, or, under community property laws, as community property; and
(2) So called “joint ventures” wherein one or more parties to an agreement, informal or otherwise, contributed land, facilities, capital, labor, management, equipment, or other services, or any variation of such contributions by two or more parties, so that it results in the manufacturing or importation of paper and paper-based packaging and the authority to transfer title to the paper and paper-based packaging so manufactured or imported.
(m) Referendum agent or agent means the individual or individuals designated by the Secretary to conduct the referendum.
(n) Representative period means the period designated by the Department.
(o) Short ton or ton means a measure of weight equal to 2,000 pounds.
(p) United States means collectively the 50 states of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the territories and possessions of the United States.
§ 1222.102 Voting.
(a) Each eligible manufacturer and importer of paper and paper-based packaging shall be entitled to cast only one ballot in the referendum. However, each manufacturer in a landlord/tenant relationship or a divided ownership arrangement involving totally independent entities cooperating only to manufacture paper and paper-based manufacturing, in which more than one of the parties is a manufacturer or importer, shall be entitled to cast one ballot in the referendum covering only such manufacturer or importer's share of ownership.
(b) Proxy voting is not authorized, but an officer or employee of an eligible corporate manufacturer or importer, or an administrator, executor, or trustee of an eligible entity may cast a ballot on behalf of such entity. Any individual so voting in a referendum shall certify that such individual is an officer or employee of the eligible entity, or an administrator, executive, or trustee of an eligible entity and that such individual has the authority to take such action. Upon request of the referendum agent, the individual shall submit adequate evidence of such authority.
(c) A single entity who manufactures and imports paper and paper-based manufacturing may cast one vote in the referendum.
(d) All ballots are to be cast by mail or other means, as instructed by the Department.
§ 1222.103 Instructions.
(b) Provide ballots and related material to be used in the referendum. The ballot shall provide for recording essential information, including that needed for ascertaining whether the person voting, or on whose behalf the vote is cast, is an eligible voter;
(d) Mail to eligible manufacturers and importers whose names and addresses are known to the referendum agent, the instructions on voting, a ballot, and a summary of the terms and conditions of the proposed Order. No person who claims to be eligible to vote shall be refused a ballot;
§ 1222.104 Subagents.
§ 1222.105 Ballots.
§ 1222.106 Referendum report.
§ 1222.107 Confidential information.
§ 1222.108 OMB control number.
The control number assigned to the information collection requirement in this subpart by the Office of Management and Budget pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. is OMB control number 0581-NEW.
[FR Doc. 2012-30915 Filed 12-31-12; 8:45 am]
1. AF&PA does not collect price information and other industry sources do not publish information on average price for paper and paper-based packaging. A reasonable estimate for average price of paper and paper-based packaging is the value per ton of paper and paper-based packaging exports. According to U.S. Census data, the average value of paper and paper-based packaging exports in 2011 was approximately $760 per short ton.
2. Data was compiled by the AF&PA from the American Forest & Paper Association's 51st Annual Survey of Paper, Paperboard and Pulp, 2011.