Marketing Order Regulating the Handling of Spearmint Oil Produced in the Far West; Revision of Administrative Rules and Regulations Governing Issuance of Additional Allotment Base

This final rule revises the procedure currently prescribed for issuing additional allotment base for Class 1 (Scotch) and Class 3 (Native) spearmint oil to new and existing producers under the Far West spearmint oil marketing order (order). The order regulates the handling of spearmint oil produced in the Far West and is administered locally by the Spearmint Oil Administrative Committee (Committee). This action reduces the number of new producers that are issued additional allotment bases each year from three to two for each class of oil; temporarily changes the method by which additional allotment base is allocated to existing producers to take into account small production operations; and amends the requirements for eligibility, retention, and transfer of additional allotment base issued to new and existing producers. Revising the procedure for issuing additional allotment base will help to ensure that new and existing spearmint oil producers have sufficient allotment base to be economically viable in the future.