Tobacco Inspection; Mandatory Grading

Pursuant to the requirements of section 759 of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for 2002 (Appropriations Act), referenda were conducted during the periods of March 11-15, 2002, and March 18-22, 2002, among producers of each type of tobacco eligible for price support. A majority of producers favored mandatory grading for flue-cured tobacco, types 11, 12, 13, 14; burley tobacco, type 31; Kentucky-Tennessee fire-cured tobacco, types 22 and 23; Virginia fire- cured tobacco, type 21; Virginia sun-cured tobacco, type 37; and dark air-cured tobacco, types 35 and 36. This interim final rule amends the regulations to provide mandatory grading for these types of tobacco. Producers of cigar filler and binder tobacco, types 42, 43, 44, 53, 54, and 55 did not approve mandatory grading. This rule will also reduce the fee for mandatory inspection from $0.01 per pound to $0.009 per pound.