[U.S. Federal Register: September 22, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 183)]
[Rules and Regulations]              
[Page 56667-56672]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22se04-1]                        


[[Page 56667]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
7 CFR Parts 958 and 980
[Docket No. FV04-958-1 IFR]

Onions grown in certain designated counties in Idaho and Malheur County, Oregon; relaxation of handling and import regulations

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Interim final rule with request for comments.

SUMMARY: This rule relaxes the size requirement for pearl onions, relaxes the minimum grade and size requirements for cipolline onion varieties, and updates the regulatory text concerning certain reporting requirements for onions handled under the Idaho-Eastern Oregon onion marketing order. The marketing order regulates the handling of onions grown in Idaho and Eastern Oregon and is administered locally by the Idaho Eastern-Oregon Onion Committee (Committee). This rule also relaxes the requirements for pearl and cipolline onions under the import regulations as required by section 8e of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937. Specifically, this rule changes the definition of pearl onions to mean onions 2 inches in diameter or less,
establishes a relaxed minimum grade of U.S. No. 2 and relaxed minimum diameter of 1\1/2\ inches for cipolline onions, and adds clarification and specificity to the reporting requirements for onions handled for peeling, chopping, or slicing. The changes are intended to facilitate the marketing of onions handled under the marketing order, improve producer returns, and bring the section 8e import regulation into conformity with the marketing order.

DATES: Effective: September 23, 2004; comments received by November 22,
2004 will be considered prior to issuance of a final rule.

The complete document is at
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/04-21238.htm