SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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.

Executive Order 12866 and Executive Order 13563

Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess all costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public health and safety effects, distributive impacts and equity). Executive Order 13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits, reducing costs, harmonizing rules and promoting flexibility. This action has been designated as a “non-significant regulatory action” under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866. Accordingly, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has waived the review process.

Executive Order 13175

This action has been reviewed in accordance with the requirements of Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments. The review reveals that this regulation would not have substantial and direct effects on Tribal governments and would not have significant Tribal implications.

Executive Order 12988

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.

Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

Pursuant to requirements set forth in the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601-612), the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has considered the economic impact of this action on small entities. Accordingly, AMS has prepared this final regulatory flexibility analysis.

The purpose of the RFA is to fit regulatory actions to the scale of businesses subject to such actions in order that small businesses will not be unduly or disproportionately burdened.

Small agricultural service firms, including shippers, exporters, and ( printed page 50538) carriers, 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.

AMS is committed to complying with the E-Government Act, to promote the use of the internet and other information technologies to provide increased opportunities for citizen access to Government information and services, and for other purposes.

USDA has not identified any relevant Federal rules that duplicate, overlap or conflict with this final rule.

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.