Agricultural Marketing Service March 28, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This rule invites comments on the establishment of reporting requirements authorized under the California pistachio marketing order (order). The order regulates the handling of pistachios grown in California and is administered locally by the Administrative Committee for Pistachios (committee). These additional reporting requirements would enable the committee to collect information on: Pistachios failing to meet quality and aflatoxin requirements; failing pistachios that are reworked or disposed of in accordance with applicable requirements; handlers applying for exemptions; transfers of uninspected pistachios between regulated handlers; and inventories and shipments of pistachios. This document also announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of a new information collection.

This rule increases the assessment rate established for the Prune Marketing Committee (committee) under Marketing Order No. 993 for the 2004-05 and subsequent crop years from $4.00 to $6.00 per ton of salable dried prunes. The committee locally administers the marketing order which regulates the handling of dried prunes grown in California. Authorization to assess dried prune handlers enables the committee to incur expenses that are reasonable and necessary to administer the program. The committee recommended a higher assessment rate because the 2004-05 crop is very small, and the higher assessment rate is needed to generate funds to meet program expenses and provide an adequate financial reserve. The crop year began August 1 and ends July 31. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.