Docket Number: AMS-SC-22-0010
Effective Date: September 20, 2023
Summary
This final rule amends Marketing Order No. 984, which regulates the handling of walnuts grown in California. USDA approved and adopted amendments proposed by the California Walnut Board (the Board) after due consideration of a public hearing record, and after California walnut producers voted in favor of such amendments in a referendum. This rule eliminates mandatory inspection and certification of inshell and shelled walnuts, and of shelled walnuts for processing; creates a new mechanism for determining and collecting handler assessments; adds the authority to charge interest for late payments; establishes an assessment rate of $0.0125 per inshell pound of walnuts; expands the definition of “to handle” to include “receive”; and removes volume control authority. In addition, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) made necessary changes to the marketing order to conform to the amendments adopted.
Contact
Geronimo Quinones, Market Development Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; Telephone: (202)308-2339 or Matthew Pavone, Market Development Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; Telephone: (202) 720-2491, or Email: Geronimo.Quinones@usda.gov or Matthew.Pavone@usda.gov.
Supporting Documents