USA: Temporary Relaxation of Substandard and Maturity Dockage Requirements for California Raisins
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service has issued a final rule that adopts, without change, an interim final rule that temporarily changes the substandard and maturity dockage requirements for raisins covered under the Federal marketing order for raisins produced from grapes grown in California. For the 2023-2024 crop year, the minimum requirements for substandard and maturity dockage in the marketing order’s handling regulations are relaxed to accommodate raisins adversely impacted by severe weather conditions.
USA: Proposed Increase in Assessment Rate for Walnuts Grown in California
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service has proposed a rule that would implement a recommendation from the California Walnut Board to increase the assessment rate established for 2024-2025 and subsequent marketing years from US$0.011 to US$0.0125 per in-shell pound of California walnuts. The proposed assessment rate would remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended or terminated. The deadline for comment is September 16, 2024.