Specialty Crops, Import Regulations; Addition of a New Varietal Type to the Raisin Import Regulation

This rule adds Other-Seedless Sulfured raisins, along with quality requirements, to the raisin import regulation. The import regulation is authorized under section 8e of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 (Act) and requires imports of raisins to meet the same or comparable grade and size requirements as those in effect under Federal Marketing Order No. 989 (order). The order regulates the handling of raisins produced from grapes grown in California. The regulations authorized under the domestic order were recently changed to add Other-Seedless Sulfured raisins, along with quality requirements for this varietal type. This is a new type of raisin being produced by some California industry members. This rule brings the import regulation into conformity with the regulations for California raisins under the marketing order.