Almonds Grown in California; Revisions to Requirements Regarding Credit for Promotion and Advertising Activities

The Department of Agriculture (Department) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, the provisions of an interim final rule revising the requirements regarding credit for promotion and advertising activities prescribed under the administrative rules and regulations of the California almond marketing order (order). The order regulates the handling of almonds grown in California and is administered locally by the Almond Board of California (Board). The order is funded through the collection of assessments from almond handlers. Under the terms of the order's regulations, handlers may receive credit toward their assessment obligation for certain expenditures for marketing promotion activities, including paid advertising. This rule revises the requirements regarding the activities for which handlers may receive such credit by allowing maximum credit for promoting almond products, under certain conditions. The changes are intended to encourage and support almond product development and thus increase the demand for almonds. The changes also clarify existing regulations.