Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2014/08/25/2014-20116/regulations-issued-under-the-export-apple-act-exempting-bulk-shipments-to-canada-from-minimum
Timestamp: 2018-04-20 20:59:34
Document Index: 779953162

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 33', '§\u200933', '§\u200933', '§\u200933', '§\u200933', 'art 33', 'art 33', 'art 33']

Federal Register :: Regulations Issued Under the Export Apple Act; Exempting Bulk Shipments to Canada From Minimum Requirements and Inspection
A Rule by the Agricultural Marketing Service on 08/25/2014
Doc. No. AMS-FV-14-0022
FV14-33-1 FIR
AMS-FV-14-0022
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2014-20116 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2014-20116
Start Preamble Start Printed Page 50537
Section 10009 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 amended section 4 of the Export Apple Act (7 U.S.C. 584) to add an exemption for apples shipped to Canada in bulk containers and add a definition for bulk container to section 9 of the Export Apple Act (7 U.S.C. 589).
The Export Apple Act (Act) promotes the foreign trade of U.S. grown apples by authorizing the implementation of regulations with minimum quality, container marking, and inspection requirements. These amendments to the Act require amendments to the regulations in 7 CFR part 33.
Sections 33.10 and 33.11 of the regulations require, in part, that apples shipped to any foreign destination must meet minimum requirements and be inspected by the Federal or Federal-State Inspection Service. Section 33.12 specifies apples not subject to regulation.
This rule implements the amendments to the Act by adding a new § 33.8 (Bulk container) under “Definitions” to define a bulk container as a container that contains a quantity of apples weighing more than 100 pounds. This action also revises § 33.12 by adding an additional paragraph exempting bulk shipments to Canada from all requirements under this part.
Thus, any bulk container of apples being shipped to Canada is exempt from the minimum requirements and inspection provisions. Inspection would still be required for apples shipped in containers of less than 100 pounds that are not otherwise exempt.
In an interim rule published in the Federal Register on April 4, 2014, and effective on April 7, 2014, (79 FR 18765, Doc. No. AMS-FV-14-0022, FV14-33-1 IR), § 33.8 was added to the regulations to define a bulk container and § 33.12 was revised by adding an additional paragraph exempting bulk shipments to Canada from all requirements under part 33.
This final rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform. It is not intended to have retroactive effect and shall not abrogate nor nullify any other statute, whether State or Federal, dealing with the same subjects as this Act; but is intended that all such statutes shall remain in full force and effect except insofar as they are inconsistent herewith or repugnant hereto (7 U.S.C. 587).
The Act provides administrative proceedings that must be exhausted before parties may file suit in court. Pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 586 and sections 33.13 and 33.14 of the regulations, any person subject to the Act may file with USDA a request for hearing, along with a written responsive answer to alleged violations of the provisions of the Act and regulations, no later than 10 days after service of notice of alleged violations, and is afforded the opportunity for a hearing on said request. After opportunity for hearing, the Secretary is authorized to refuse the issuance of certificates under this Act for periods not exceeding 90 days.
Small agricultural service firms, including shippers, exporters, and Start Printed Page 50538carriers, are defined by the Small Business Administration (SBA) as those having annual receipts of less than $7,000,000, and small agricultural producers are defined as those having annual receipts of less than $750,000 (13 CFR 121.201).
The industry estimates there are approximately 7,500 apple producers in the U.S. The National Agricultural Statistics Service reports the 2012 apple crop was valued at nearly $3.1 billion. Assuming a normal distribution, most apple producers can be classified as small entities. According to industry statistics, there are approximately 60 apple exporters subject to regulation under the Act. Foreign Agricultural Service data estimates the value of fresh apple exports to Canada at approximately $190 million. Assuming a normal distribution, the majority of apple exporters are small businesses. Based on the above calculations, it can be concluded that the majority of apple producers and exporters may be classified as small entities.
This rule is issued under the authority of the Export Apple Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 584). This rule continues in effect a rule that revised “Regulations Issued Under Authority of the Export Apple Act” (7 CFR part 33). In accordance with the provisions of section 10009 of the Agricultural Act of 2014, this action exempts apples shipped to Canada in bulk containers from the minimum requirements and inspection provisions issued under the Act. This action also adds the definition of “bulk container” as a container that contains a quantity of apples weighing more than 100 pounds.
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the information collection requirements have been previously approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and assigned OMB No. 0581-0143 (Export Fruit Regulations). No changes in those requirements as a result of this action are necessary. Should any changes become necessary, they would be submitted to OMB for approval.
This rule will not impose any additional reporting or recordkeeping requirements on either small or large apple shippers, exporters, or carriers.
Comments on this interim rule were required to be received on or before June 3, 2014. No comments were received. Therefore, for the reasons given in the interim rule, we are adopting the interim rule as a final rule, without change.
To view the interim rule, go to: http://www.regulations.gov/​#!documentDetail;​D=​AMS-FV-14-0022-0001.
After consideration of all relevant material presented, it is found that finalizing the interim rule, without change, as published in the Federal Register (79 FR 18765, April 4, 2014) will tend to effectuate the declared policy of the Act.
Accordingly, the interim rule that amended 7 CFR part 33 and that was published at 79 FR 18765 on April 4, 2014, is adopted as a final rule, without change.
[FR Doc. 2014-20116 Filed 8-22-14; 8:45 am]