USA: Proposed Amendments to California Raisins Marketing Order No. 989
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a recommended decision proposing to amend Marketing Order No. 989, which regulates the handling of raisins produced from grapes grown in California. The proposed amendments would reduce the size of the Raisin Administrative Committee, eliminate the designated cooperative bargaining association member seat, lower quorum requirements, remove producer district representation, remove the requirement for separate member and alternate nominations for independent and small cooperative producers, remove factors for establishing marketing policy, add language to clarify the quality of reconditioned raisins, add authority to accept voluntary contributions, and add language regarding ownership of intellectual property. In addition, the Agricultural Marketing Service may make any such changes to the Order as may be necessary to conform to any amendment that may result from the hearing. This recommended decision invites written exceptions on the proposed amendments to be submitted by October 15, 2024.