What is the purpose of the amendatory hearing related to the federal marketing order for California walnuts?

The hearing is part of the administrative process conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).  USDA will analyze evidence presented during the hearing to determine whether to continue considering the California Walnut Board’s recommendation to add credit-back authority to the marketing order.

What is the federal marketing order for California walnuts?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) held a public hearing on proposed amendments to the federal marketing order for California walnuts.  The hearing took place on April 20-21, 2020, as an audio-video conference to enable individuals to participate remotely.  The hearing was initially scheduled as an in-person event for March 16-17, 2020, in Sacramento, California, but was postponed to ensure the availability of adequate resources.

Docket Number: AMS-SC-19-0082
Dates: The hearing will be held April 20, 2020, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time (PST) and, if deemed necessary by the presiding administrative law judge, will continue April 21, 2020, from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. PST or until any other such time as determined by the judge.

Summary

View the April 2020 – Monthly Economic Landscape report (pdf)

Docket Number: AMS-SC19-0029
Effective Date: May 8, 2020

Summary

This rule revises the reporting requirements prescribed under the Federal marketing order regulating the handling of pecans. This action reduces the number of monthly reporting requirements, revises the requirements for inter-handler transfers, and makes other conforming changes to the reporting requirements.

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Administrative SOPs

• MP-ADMIN (pdf) Administrative Procedures for the Microbiological Data Program and Pesticide Data Program (Rev. 2, 01/01/2012)

SOPs for Sampling Activities

• SAMP-PROC-1 (pdf) Sampling Plans and Documentation for MDP (Rev. 3, 04/29/09)
• SAMP-PROC-2 (pdf) MDP  Sampling Procedures on Site (Rev.

The Microbiological Data Program (MDP), initiated in 2001, collected information on the prevalence of harmful bacteria in fresh produce. These datasets and reports provide data obtained through testing of fresh fruit and vegetables for the presence of Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, Shigella, and pathogenic E. coli. Produce samples were collected from more than 600 food distribution sites within the continental United States. The testing was performed by State Department of Agriculture laboratories that participated in the program and AMS’ National Science Laboratory.

The Microbiological Data Program (MDP) was a national food-borne pathogen monitoring program that operated from 2001 to 2012.  Through cooperation with State agriculture departments and other Federal agencies, MDP managed the sampling, testing, and reporting of food-borne pathogens on selected agricultural commodities.

Docket Number: AMS-LRRS-19-0099
Effective Date: May 7, 2020

Summary

This document makes nomenclature changes to subpart headings in the Agricultural Marketing Service's regulations to bring the language into conformance with the Office of the Federal Register (OFR) requirements.

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1. What are the goals of the program?

AMS has two major goals for the Federal Pesticide Recordkeeping Program - to provide the private certified pesticide applicator with educational tools to assist them in maintaining the necessary restricted use pesticide (RUP) records and to provide assistance during a recordkeeping inspection to ensure the applicator's compliance with the regulation. 

2. Why are pesticide record inspections conducted?