The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a final rule suspending the California Walnut Board’s authority for placing excess walnuts in reserve. Because it has not recommended this volume regulation measure since the late 1980’s, the board proposed suspension of the marketing order authority that requires it to consider ways to regulate the volume of walnuts placed into commercial channels. This action will streamline management of the marketing order and allow the board to focus on building demand for California walnuts.
The final rule was published in the Federal Register on May 7, 2020, and will take effect June 8, 2020. The proposed rule for this action was published Jan. 22, 2020, and provided a 30-day public comment period.
The California walnut industry partners with USDA to administer a federal marketing order. The marketing order enables the board to conduct initiatives that benefit walnut producers and enhance the marketability of their crop. Among the initiatives are minimum size and quality requirements and promotion and research projects.
For more information:
USDA AMS
Tel: +1 (202) 720-2491
www.ams.usda.gov