Dried Prunes Produced in California; Temporary Suspension of the Mandatory Outgoing Prune Inspection and Quality Requirements, and Modification of the Undersized Prune Disposition Requirements Under the Marketing Order, and Suspension of the Prune Import Regulation

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim final rule which suspended for three years the outgoing prune inspection and quality requirements under the California Dried Prune Marketing Order (Order) and its administrative rules and regulations, and the prune import regulation. Continued suspension of the outgoing inspection and quality requirements, and import regulation provisions ensures relief from these requirements. The Order regulates the handling of dried prunes produced in California and is administered locally by the Prune Marketing Committee (Committee). During the three-year suspension, the industry will have the opportunity to develop and implement outgoing inspection and finished product grade standards more consistent with current industry needs. In the absence of additional rulemaking to modify or terminate the suspended provisions, they will come back into effect automatically at the end of the three-year period. The modifications to the undersized prune disposition requirements made by the interim final rule also are continued without change.