Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2005/02/23/05-3389/melons-grown-in-south-texas-temporary-suspension-of-handling-and-assessment-collection-regulations
Timestamp: 2016-07-25 14:02:23
Document Index: 402336005

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 979', '§ 979', 'art 979', '§ 979', '§ 979', '§ 979', '§ 979', '§ 979', '§ 979', '§ 979', '§ 979', '§ 979', '§ 979', '§ 979', '§ 979', '§ 979', '§ 979', '§ 979', '§ 979', '§ 979', 'art 979', 'ART 979']

Federal Register | Melons Grown in South Texas; Temporary Suspension of Handling and Assessment Collection Regulations
Dates: March 25, 2005.
-8712 (4 pages)
Document Number: 05-3389
Shorter URL: https://federalregister.gov/a/05-3389 Related Topics
Section 979.52 of the order provides authority for grade, size, maturity, quality, and pack regulations for any variety of melons grown in the production area during any period. Section 979.52 also authorizes the modification, suspension, or termination of regulations issued under the order. Authority to terminate or suspend provisions of the order is specified in § 979.84.
Section 979.60 provides that whenever melons are regulated pursuant to § 979.52, such melons must be inspected by the Federal-State Inspection Service, and certified as meeting the applicable requirements of such regulations. The cost of such inspection and certification is borne by handlers.
Prior to November 27, 2004, fresh market shipments of South Texas melons were required to be inspected and were subject to minimum grade, quality, maturity, and container and pack requirements. Section 979.304 Handling regulation (7 CFR part 979.304) stated that no handler could handle cantaloupes grown in the production area unless such cantaloupes met the requirements specified for U.S. Commercial grade or better, except that not more than 8 percent serious damage including not more than 5 percent decay would be permitted. Honeydew melons were also required to meet the requirements of U.S. Commercial grade except that not more than 20 percent serious damage was allowed including not more than 10 percent for melons affected by decay. In addition, the combined juice from the edible portion of a sample of honeydews selected at random could contain not less than 8 percent soluble solids as determined by an approved hand refractometer. Individual containers of honeydew melons could contain no less than 25 percent U.S. Commercial grade or better quality. Individual containers of cantaloupe and honeydew melons could contain not more than double the specified lot tolerance for scorable defects.
The order's container and pack requirements were also specified in § 979.304. Cantaloupes and honeydew melons were required to be packed in fiberboard cartons of specified dimensions. Each carton was required to be marked to indicate the count; the name, address, and zip code of the shipper; the name of the product; and the words “Produce of U.S.A.” or “Product of U.S.A.” Additionally, if the carton was not clean and bright in appearance without marks, stains, or other evidence of previous use, the carton was required to be marked with the words “USED BOX.” Honeydew melons were also required to be packed in bulk containers with specified dimensions.
Section 979.304 further included a minimum quantity exemption of 120 pounds per day, and reporting and safeguard requirements for special purpose and experimental shipments. Related provisions appeared in the regulations in § 979.106 Registered handler; § 979.152 Handling of culls; and § 979.155 Safeguards.
Consistent with the temporary suspension of § 979.304, this rule also continues in effect the action that suspends § 979.106, § 979.152, and § 979.155 of the rules and regulations in effect under the order for the 2004-05 fiscal period. Section 979.106 provided for the registration of handlers, § 979.152 detailed procedures for the handling of cull melons, and § 979.155 provided safeguard requirements for special purpose shipments and established reporting and recordkeeping requirements when such exemptions were in place.
In addition, this rule also continues in effect the action that temporarily suspends § 979.219 requiring that an assessment rate of $0.09 per carton of melons be collected from South Texas melon handlers. Consistent with suspension of § 979.219, § 979.112 specifying late payment charges on delinquent assessments is also suspended. Authorization to assess melon handlers enables the Committee to incur expenses that are necessary to administer the marketing order. With the suspension of handling, inspection, and assessment requirements, a limited Committee budget is needed for program administration and the collection of the acreage planting reports.
In addition, this rule also continues in effect the action that suspends § 979.219 requiring that an assessment rate of $0.09 per carton of melons be collected from South Texas melon handlers. Consistent with the suspension of § 979.219, § 979.112 specifying late payment charges on delinquent assessments continues to be suspended. Authorization to assess melon handlers enables the Committee to incur expenses that are necessary to administer the marketing order.
The suspension of the assessment collection requirements for the 2004-05 season also results in some cost savings. Assessment collections during the 2003-04 season totaled $102,988. Absent the suspension of § 979.219, assessments collected during the 2004-05 season would have been about $292,840.
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the information collection requirements being suspended by this rule were approved previously by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and assigned OMB No. 0581-0178. Suspension of some of the reporting requirements is expected to reduce the reporting burden on small or large South Texas melon handlers by 6.12 hours, and should further reduce industry expenses. During the suspension period, handlers will not have to file the following forms with the Committee: Application for Registered Handler (1.74 burden hours); Certification for Handling Melons for Processing (0.70 burden hours); Relief or Charity Certification for Handling Melons Which Fail to Meet the South Texas Rules and Regulations (0.35 burden hours); Certificate of Privilege (0.83 burden hours); and Special Purpose Shipment (2.50 hours). This rule will not impose any additional reporting or recordkeeping requirements on either small or large melon handlers. 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, as noted in the initial regulatory flexibility analysis, USDA has not identified any relevant Federal rules that duplicate, overlap or conflict with this rule.
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 979 Back to Top
PART 979—MELONS GROWN IN SOUTH TEXAS Back to Top