Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2004/03/30/04-7002/winter-pears-grown-in-oregon-and-washington-hearing-on-proposed-amendment-of-marketing-agreement-and
Timestamp: 2017-09-25 17:57:55
Document Index: 406356581

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Federal Register :: Winter Pears Grown in Oregon and Washington; Hearing on Proposed Amendment of Marketing Agreement and Order No. 927
69 FR 16501
16501-16508 (8 pages)
FV04-927-1 PR
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/04-7002 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/04-7002
Start Preamble Start Printed Page 16501
Notice is hereby given of a public hearing to receive evidence on proposed amendments to Marketing Agreement and Order No. 927, which regulates the handling of winter pears grown in Oregon and Washington. The amendments are jointly proposed by the Winter Pear Control Committee and the Northwest Fresh Bartlett Marketing Committee, which are responsible for local administration of orders 927 and 931, respectively. Marketing Agreement and Order No. 931 regulates the handling of fresh Bartlett pears grown in Oregon and Washington. The amendments would combine the winter pear and fresh Bartlett orders into a single program under marketing order 927, and would add authority to assess pears for processing. The Committees also proposed a number of conforming changes. All of the proposals are intended to streamline industry organization and improve the administration, operation, and functioning of the program.
1. April 13 and 14, 2004, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Yakima, Washington.
2. April 16, 2004, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Portland, Oregon.
1. Doubletree Hotel, 1507 N. 1ST Street, Yakima, Washington, (509) 248-7850.
2. Sheraton Inn—Portland Airport, 8235 NE. Airport Way, Portland, Oregon, (503) 335-2860.
At a joint meeting of the Winter Pear Control Committee and the Northwest Fresh Bartlett Pear Marketing Committee on November 13, 2003, both Committees voted unanimously to recommend amendments to Marketing Order 927. The amendments are intended to streamline industry organization by placing both Marketing Order 927, regulating the handling of winter pears, and Marketing Order 931, regulating the handling of Bartlett pears, under one program: Marketing Order 927. The amendments would also add pears for processing to the order, and update various provisions of the order.
The Committees' request for a hearing was submitted to USDA on November 19, 2003. The hearing is called pursuant to the provisions of the Act and the applicable rules of practice and procedure governing the formulation of marketing agreements and orders (7 CFR part 900).
The Committees' proposed amendments to Marketing Order No. 927 (order) are summarized below.
1. Expand the definition of “pears” to include all varieties of pears classified as summer/fall pears (rather than limiting that class to Bartletts); to add Concorde, Packham, and Taylor's Gold pears to the current list of winter pear varieties; and to add a third category of pears which would include varieties not classified as summer/fall or winter pears. This amendment would extend program coverage to all pears grown in Oregon and Washington.
4. Establish districts for pears for processing. This amendment would divide the order's production area into two districts for pears for processing: One being the State of Oregon and the other being the State of Washington.
5. Dissolve the current Winter Pear Control Committee and establish two new administrative committees: The Start Printed Page 16502Fresh Pear Committee and the Processing Pear Committee (Committees). This proposal also includes adding a public member and public alternate member seat to both of the newly established Committees and removing Section 927.36, Public advisors. The Committees would jointly administer Marketing Order 927.
Related changes would be made to order provisions governing nomination and selection of members and their alternates, terms of office, eligibility for membership, and quorum and voting requirements, to reflect the proposed dual committee structure.
6. Authorize changes in the number of Committee members and alternates, and allow reapportionment of committee membership among districts and groups (i.e., growers, handlers, and processors). Such changes would require a Committee recommendation and approval by the Department.
7. Provide that an assessment rate be established for each category of pears, including: summer/fall pears, winter pears, and all other pears. In addition, rates of assessment could be different for fresh pears and pears for processing in each category, and could include supplemental rates on individual varieties.
8. Authorize container marking requirements for fresh pears.
10. Amend § 927.70, Reports, to ensure confidentiality in the handling and reporting of information provided to the Committees, and to require handlers to maintain records for at least two years.
11. Allow elimination of inspection requirements (when handling regulations are in effect) if alternative methods to ensure compliance are available.
14. Add authority for the committees to conduct post-harvest research, in addition to production research and promotion (including paid advertising).
These proposals have not received the approval of the Department. The Winter Pear Control Committee and Northwest Fresh Bartlett Marketing Committee believe that the proposed changes would improve the administration, operation, and functioning of the programs in effect for pears grown in Oregon and Washington.
AMS also proposes to allow such changes to the order as may be necessary to conform to any amendment that may result from the hearing.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601-674. 2. Testimony is invited on the following proposals or appropriate alternatives or modifications to such proposals. Proposals submitted by the Winter Pear Control Committee and the Northwest Fresh Bartlett Marketing Committee are as follows:
Revise § 927.4 to read as follows:
(a) Pears means and includes any and all varieties or subvarieties of pears classified as: Summer/fall pears including Bartlett and Starkrimson pears; winter pears including Beurre D'Anjou, Beurre Bosc, Doyenne du Comice, Concorde, Forelle, Winter Nelis, Packham, Seckel, and Taylor's Gold pears; and other pears including any or all other varieties or subvarieties of pears not classified as summer/fall or winter pears.
Revise the heading of 7 CFR part 927 to read as follows:
Revise § 927.5 to read as follows:
Size means the number of pears which can be packed in a 44-pound net weight standard box or container equivalent, or “size” means the greatest transverse diameter of the pear taken at right angles to a line running from the stem to the blossom end, or such other specifications more specifically defined in a regulation issued under this part.
Revise § 927.7 to read as follows:
Revise § 927.8 to read as follows:
Ship or handle means to sell, deliver, consign, transport or ship pears within the production area or between the production area and any point outside thereof, including receiving pears for processing: Provided, That the term “handle” shall not include the transportation of pear shipments within the production area from the orchard Start Printed Page 16503where grown to a packing facility located within the production area for preparation for market or delivery for processing.
Add a new § 927.14 to read as follows:
Add a new § 927.15 to read as follows:
Amend § 927.11 by revising the introductory paragraph, and paragraphs (a), (b), and (c), to read as follows:
(4) Yakima District shall include all of the State of Washington not included in the Wenatchee District or in the Mid-Columbia District.
Revise § 927.20 to read as follows:
(a) A Fresh Pear Committee, consisting of 13 individual persons as its members, is established to administer order provisions relating to the handling of pears for the fresh market. Six members of the Fresh Pear Committee shall be growers, six members shall be handlers, and one member shall represent the public. For each member there shall be two alternates, designated as the “first alternate” and the “second alternate,” respectively. Each district shall be represented by one grower member and one handler member, except that the Mid-Columbia District and the Wenatchee District shall be represented by two grower members and two handler members.
Revise § 927.21 to read as follows:
Grower members and their respective alternates for each district shall be selected by the Secretary from nominees elected by the growers in such district. Handler members and their respective alternates for each district shall be selected by the Secretary from nominees elected by the handlers in such district. Processor members and their respective alternates shall be selected by the Secretary from nominees elected by the processors. Public members for each committee shall be nominated by the Fresh Pear Committee and the Processed Pear Committee, respectively, and selected by the Secretary. The Fresh Pear Committee and the Processed Pear Committee may prescribe such additional qualifications, administrative rules and procedures for selection for each candidate as it deems necessary and as the Secretary approves.
Revise § 927.22 to read as follows:
Revise § 927.23 to read as follows:
Only growers in attendance at meetings for election of nominees shall participate in the nomination of grower members and their alternates, and only handlers in attendance at meetings for election of nominees shall participate in the nomination of handler members and their alternates, and only processors in attendance for election of nominees shall participate in the nomination of processor members and their alternates. A grower may participate only in the election held in the district in which he or she produces pears, and a handler may participate only in the election held in the district or districts in which he or she handles pears. Each person may vote as a grower, handler or processor, but not a combination thereof. Each grower, handler and processor shall be entitled to cast one vote, on behalf of himself, his agents, partners, affiliates, subsidiaries, and representatives, for each nominee to be elected.
Revise § 927.24 to read as follows:
Each grower member and each of his or her alternates shall be a grower, or an officer or employee of a corporate grower, who grows pears in the district in which and for which he or she is nominated and selected. Each handler member and each of his or her alternates shall be a handler, or an officer or employee of a handler, handling pears in the district in and for which he or she is nominated and selected. Each processor member and each of their alternates shall be a processor, or an officer or employee of a processor, who processes pears in the production area. Start Printed Page 16504
Revise § 927.27 to read as follows:
The term of office of each member and alternate member of the Fresh Pear Committee and the Processed Pear Committee shall be for two years beginning July 1 and ending June 30: Provided, That the terms of office of one-half of the initial members and alternates shall end June 30, 2005; and that beginning with the 2005-2006 fiscal period, no member shall serve more than three consecutive two-year terms unless specifically exempted by the Secretary. Members and alternate members shall serve in such capacities for the portion of the term of office for which they are selected and have qualified and until their respective successors are selected and have qualified. The terms of office of successor members and alternates shall be so determined that one-half of the total committee membership ends each June 30.
Revise § 927.33 to read as follows:
Remove § 927.36, Public advisors.
Further amend § 927.20 by adding a new paragraph (c) to read as follows:
Revise § 927.41 to read as follows:
(b)(1) Based upon a recommendation of the Fresh Pear Committee or other available data, the Secretary shall fix three base rates of assessment for pears that handlers shall pay on pears handled for the fresh market during each fiscal period. Such base rates shall include one rate of assessment for any or all varieties or subvarieties of pears classified as summer/fall; one rate of assessment for any or all varieties or subvarieties of pears classified as winter; and one rate of assessment for any or all varieties or subvarieties of pears classified as other. Upon recommendation of the Fresh Pear Committee or other available data, the Secretary may also fix supplemental rates of assessment on individual varieties or subvarieties categorized within the above-defined assessment classifications to secure sufficient funds to provide for projects authorized under § 927.47. At any time during the fiscal period when it is determined on the basis of a Fresh Pear Committee recommendation or other information that different rates are necessary for fresh pears or for any varieties or subvarieties, the Secretary may modify those rates of assessment and such new rates shall apply to any or all varieties or subvarieties that are shipped during the fiscal period for fresh market.
(2) Based upon a recommendation of the Processed Pear Committee or other available data, the Secretary shall fix three base rates of assessment for pears that handlers shall pay on pears handled for processing during each fiscal period. Such base rates shall include one rate of assessment for any or all varieties or subvarieties of pears classified as summer/fall; one rate of assessment for any or all varieties or subvarieties of pears classified as winter; and one rate of assessment for any or all varieties or subvarieties of pears classified as other. Upon recommendation of the Processed Pear Committee or other available data, the Secretary may also fix supplemental rates of assessment on individual varieties or subvarieties categorized within the above-defined assessment classifications to secure sufficient funds to provide for projects authorized under § 927.47. At any time during the fiscal period when it is determined on the basis of a Processed Pear Committee recommendation or other information that different rates are necessary for pears for processing or for any varieties or subvarieties, the Secretary may modify those rates of assessment and such new rates shall apply to any or all varieties or subvarieties of pears that are shipped during the fiscal period for processing.
(e) In order to provide funds to carry out the functions of the Fresh Pear Committee or the Processed Pear Committee prior to commencement of shipments in any season, handlers may make advance payments of assessments, Start Printed Page 16505which advance payments shall be credited to such handlers and the assessments of such handlers shall be adjusted so that such assessments are based upon the quantity of each variety or subvariety of pears handled by such handlers during such season. Further, payment discounts may be authorized by the Fresh Pear Committee or the Processed Pear Committee upon the approval of the Secretary to handlers making such advance assessment payments.
Revise § 927.51 to read as follows:
(a) Whenever the Secretary finds, from the recommendations and information submitted by the Fresh Pear Committee, or from other available information, that regulation, in the manner specified in this section, of the shipment of pears would tend to effectuate the declared policy of the act, he or she shall so limit the shipment of pears during a specified period or periods. Such regulation may:
(b) Whenever the Secretary finds, from the recommendations and information submitted by the Fresh Pear Committee, or from other available information, that a regulation should be modified, suspended, or terminated with respect to any or all shipments of pears grown in any district in order to effectuate the declared policy of the act, he or she shall so modify, suspend, or terminate such regulation. If the Secretary finds, from the recommendations and information submitted by the Fresh Pear Committee, or from other available information, that a regulation obstructs or does not tend to effectuate the declared policy of the act, he or she shall suspend or terminate such regulation. On the same basis and in like manner, the Secretary may terminate any such modification or suspension.
Remove § 927.54.
Revise § 927.70 to read as follows:
(a) Upon the request of the Fresh Pear Committee and the Processed Pear Committee, and subject to the approval of the Secretary, each handler shall furnish to the aforesaid committee, respectively, in such manner and at such times as it prescribes, such information as will enable it to perform its duties under this subpart.
(b) All such reports shall be held under appropriate protective classification and custody by the Fresh Pear Committee and/or the Processed Pear Committee, or duly appointed employees thereof, so that the information contained therein which may adversely affect the competitive position of any handler in relation to other handlers will not be disclosed. Compilations of general reports from data submitted by handlers are authorized subject to the prohibition of disclosure of individual handlers' identities or operations.
Amend § 927.60 by revising paragraph (a) and adding a new paragraph (c) to read as follows:
(a) Except as hereinafter provided, no handler shall ship any pears not theretofore inspected, and a certificate issued with respect thereto, by a duly authorized representative of the Federal-State Inspection Service: Provided, That such inspection and certification of shipments of pears may be performed by such other inspection service as the Fresh Pear Committee, with the approval of the Secretary, may designate. Promptly after shipment of any pears, the handler shall submit, or cause to be submitted, to the Fresh Pear Committee a copy of the inspection certificate issued on such shipment.
(c) The Fresh Pear Committee may, with the approval of the Secretary, prescribe rules and regulations modifying or eliminating the requirement for inspection and certification of shipments if alternative methods are available for ensuring such shipments comply with regulations in effect.
Revise § 927.65 to read as follows:
(a) Nothing contained in this subpart shall limit or authorize the limitation of shipment of pears for consumption by charitable institutions or distribution by relief agencies, nor shall any assessment be computed on pears so shipped. The Fresh Pear Committee or the Processed Pear Committee may, with the approval of the Secretary, prescribe regulations to prevent pears shipped for either of such purposes from entering commercial fresh-fruit channels of trade contrary to the provisions of this subpart.
(b) The Fresh Pear Committee or the Processed Pear Committee may, with the approval of the Secretary, prescribe rules and regulations whereby quantities of pears or types of pear shipments may be exempted from any or all provisions of this subpart.
Amend § 927.78 by revising paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) to read as follows:
(d) The Secretary shall conduct a referendum within every six-year period beginning on the date this section becomes effective, to ascertain whether continuance of the provisions of this subpart applicable to fresh pears for Start Printed Page 16506market or pears for processing are favored by producers of pears for the fresh market and pears for processing, respectively. The Secretary may terminate the provisions of this subpart at the end of any fiscal period in which the Secretary has found that continuance of this subpart is not favored by producers who, during a representative period determined by the Secretary, have been engaged in the production of fresh pears for market or pears for processing in the production area: Provided, That termination of the order shall be effective only if announced on or before the last day of the then current fiscal period.
Revise § 927.47 to read as follows:
The Fresh Pear Committee and/or the Processed Pear Committee, with the approval of the Secretary, may establish or provide for the establishment of production and post-harvest research, or marketing research and development projects designed to assist, improve, or promote the marketing, distribution, and consumption of pears. Such projects may provide for any form of marketing promotion, including paid advertising. The expense of such projects shall be paid from funds collected pursuant to §§ 927.41 and 927.45. Expenditures for a particular variety or subvariety of pears shall approximate the amount of assessments and voluntary contributions collected for that variety or subvariety of pears.
Revise § 927.1 to read as follows:
Revise § 927.3 to read as follows:
Person means an individual partnership, corporation, association, or any other business unit.
Revise § 927.6 to read as follows:
Revise § 927.76 to read as follows:
The Secretary may name, by designation in writing, any person, including any officer or employee of the Government or any bureau or division in the Department of Agriculture to act as his agent or representative in connection with any of the provisions of this subpart.
Revise § 927.77 to read as follows:
Revise in 7 CFR part 927 the undesignated center heading “CONTROL COMMITTEE” to read as follows:
Revise § 927.9 to read as follows:
Revise § 927.13 to read as follows:
Revise § 927.26 to read as follows:
Revise § 927.28 to read as follows:
Revise § 927.29 to read as follows:
Revise § 927.30 to read as follows:
Revise § 927.31 to read as follows:
The Fresh Pear Committee and the Processed Pear Committee shall have the following powers:
Revise § 927.32 to read as follows:
The duties of the Fresh Pear Committee and the Processed Pear Committee shall be as follows:
(b) To keep minutes, books, and records which will reflect clearly all of Start Printed Page 16507the acts and transactions. The minutes, books, and records shall be subject at any time to examination by the Secretary or by such person as may be designated by the Secretary;
(d) To cause the books to be audited by one or more competent accountants at the end of each fiscal year and at such other times as the Fresh Pear Committee and the Processed Pear Committee may deem necessary or as the Secretary may request, and to file with the Secretary copies of any and all audit reports made;
(e) To appoint such employees agents, and representatives as it may deem necessary, and to determine the compensation and define the duties of each;
(f) To give the Secretary, or the designated agent of the Secretary, the same notice of meetings as is given to the members of the Fresh Pear Committee and the Processed Pear Committee;
(g) To select a chairman of the Fresh Pear Committee and the Processed Pear Committee and, from time to time, such other officers as it may deem advisable and to define the duties of each; and
(h) To submit to the Secretary as soon as practicable after the beginning of each fiscal period, a budget for such fiscal year, including a report in explanation of the items appearing therein and a recommendation as to the rate of assessment for such period.
Revise § 927.34 to read as follows:
Revise § 927.35 to read as follows:
Revise § 927.40 to read as follows:
The Fresh Pear Committee and the Processed Pear Committee are authorized to incur such expenses as the Secretary finds may be necessary to carry out its functions under this subpart. The funds to cover such expenses shall be acquired by the levying of assessments as provided in § 927.41.
Revise § 927.42 to read as follows:
(b) All funds received pursuant to the provisions of this part shall be used solely for the purpose specified in this part and shall be accounted for in the manner provided in this part. The Secretary may at any time require the Fresh Pear Committee and/or the Processed Pear Committee and its members to account for all receipts and disbursements.
Revise § 927.43 to read as follows:
From the funds acquired pursuant to § 927.41 the Fresh Pear Committee and the Processed Pear Committee shall pay the salaries of its employees, if any, and pay the expenses necessarily incurred in the performance of the duties of the Fresh Pear Committee and the Processed Pear Committee.
Remove § 927.44.
Revise § 927.45 to read as follows:
The Fresh Pear Committee or the Processed Pear Committee may accept voluntary contributions but these shall only be used to pay expenses incurred pursuant to § 927.47. Furthermore, such contributions shall be free from any encumbrances by the donor and the Fresh Pear Committee or the Processed Pear Committee shall retain complete control of their use.
Revise § 927.50 to read as follows:
(b) On or before August 1 of each year, the Fresh Pear Committee shall recommend regulations to the Secretary if it finds, on the basis of the foregoing investigations, that such regulation as is provided in § 927.51 will tend to effectuate the declared policy of the act.
(c) In the event the Fresh Pear Committee at any time finds that by reason of changed conditions any regulation issued pursuant to § 927.51 Start Printed Page 16508should be modified, suspended, or terminated, it shall so recommend to the Secretary.
Revise § 927.52 to read as follows:
(a) Decisions of the Fresh Pear Committee or the Processed Pear Committee with respect to any recommendations to the Secretary pursuant to the establishment or modification of a supplemental rate of assessment for an individual variety or subvariety of pears shall be made by affirmative vote of not less than 75 percent of the applicable total number of votes, computed in the manner hereinafter described in this section, of all members. Decisions of the Fresh Pear Committee pursuant to the provisions of § 927.50 shall be made by an affirmative vote of not less than 80 percent of the applicable total number of votes, computed in the manner hereinafter prescribed in this section, of all members.
(b) With respect to regulation of a particular variety or subvariety of pears, the applicable total number of votes shall be the aggregate of the votes allotted to the members in accordance with the following: Each member shall have one vote as an individual and, in addition, shall have an equal share of the vote of the district represented by such member; and such district vote shall be computed as soon as practical after the beginning of each fiscal period on either:
Revise § 927.53 to read as follows:
Revise § 927.75 to read as follows:
No member or alternate for a member of the Fresh Pear Committee and/or the Processed Pear Committee, nor any employee or agent thereof, shall be held personally responsible, either individually or jointly with others, in any way whatsoever, to any party under this subpart or to any other person for errors in judgment, mistakes, or other acts, either of commission or omission, as such member, alternate for a member, agent or employee, except for acts of dishonesty, willful misconduct, or gross negligence.
Revise § 927.79 to read as follows:
(a) Upon the termination of this subpart, the members of the Fresh Pear Committee and/or the Processed Pear Committee then functioning shall continue as joint trustees for the purpose of liquidating all funds and property then in the possession or under the control of the Fresh Pear Committee and/or the Processed Pear Committee, including claims for any funds unpaid or property not delivered at the time of such termination.
(b) The joint trustees shall continue in such capacity until discharged by the Secretary; from time to time account for all receipts and disbursements; deliver all funds and property on hand, together with all books and records of the Fresh Pear Committee and/or the Processed Pear Committee and of the joint trustees, to such person as the Secretary shall direct; and, upon the request of the Secretary, execute such assignments or other instruments necessary and appropriate to vest in such person full title and right to all of the funds, property, or claims vested in the Fresh Pear Committee and/or the Processed Pear Committee or in said joint trustees.
(d) Any person to whom funds, property, or claims have been transferred or delivered by the Fresh Pear Committee and/or the Processed Pear Committee or its members, upon direction of the Secretary, as provided in this section, shall be subject to the same obligations and duties with respect to said funds, property, or claims as are imposed upon the members or upon said joint trustees.
Revise § 927.80 to read as follows:
Amendments to this subpart may be proposed from time to time by the Fresh Pear Committee and/or the Processed Pear Committee or by the Secretary.
[FR Doc. 04-7002 Filed 3-29-04; 8:45 am]