Notice of Intent to Consider the Adoption of Amendments to the Rules Approved as Vidalia® Onions Varierties
June 14, 2006
Notice of Intent to Consider the Adoption of Amendments to the Rules relating to Varieties that are approved as Vidalia® Onions, size requirements, and tolerances in connection with grade related to Vidalia® onions.
TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND PARTIES:
Notice is hereby given that the Georgia Department of Agriculture will hold a public hearing on July 17, 2006, at 10:00 a.m., in Room 201 of the Agriculture Building, 19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30334. Such hearing will be for the purpose of considering the adoption of amendments to the Rules of the Department relating to Vidalia® Onions promulgated under the Vidalia Onion Act of 1986, as amended (O.C.G.A. § 2-14-130, et seq.)
SYNOPSIS, MAIN FEATURES AND DIFFERENCES:
It is proposed to amend paragraph (a) of Rule 40-7-8-.03.1 by removing four varieties grown as Vidalia® onions from the current authorized list of approved varieties allowed to be grown as Vidalia® onions and adding them to the list of excluded varieties in subparagraph (b). This action is the result of recommendations from the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, and subsequent written statements from seed companies indicating these varieties would no longer be marketed as Vidalia® onion varieties.
It is further recommended to amend paragraph (a) of Rule 40-7-8-.03.1 by adding a new variety to the authorized list of varieties allowed to be grown as Vidalia® onions. This action is the result of a recommendation from the University Of Georgia College Of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences based on official test trials.
It is further proposed to amend subparagraph (b) of Rule 40-7-8-.08 (1) by removing the required maximum diameter of this size classification and replacing it with “or larger.”
It is further proposed to amend subparagraph (c) of Rule 40-7-8-.08 (1) by changing 10 to 5 related to percent by weight of the onions in any lot that may be smaller than the minimum diameter specified.
Interested persons may call to request a copy of the proposed rules or may submit written request to:
Bobby Harris, Assistant Commissioner—Marketing Division
Georgia Department of Agriculture
19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Telephone Number: 404-656-3368
FAX Number: 404-656-9380
Written comments must be received no later than close of business (4:30 p.m. EDT) on Monday, June 19, 2006. You may download a copy of the synopses and the proposed rules from the Georgia Department of Agriculture website at You may download a copy of the synopsis and the proposed rules by clicking on the link listed here:
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VORules Amend 5-06(237KB)
This notice is given in compliance with the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act, O.C.G.A. §50-13-4.
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