Sweet Onions Grown in the Walla Walla Valley of Southeast Washington and Northeast Oregon; Establishment of Special Purpose Shipping Regulations and Modification of Reporting Requirements

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim final rule that established procedures to allow the grading, packing, or storing of Walla Walla sweet onions outside the production area established under the Walla Walla sweet onion marketing order, and modified handler reporting requirements. The marketing order regulates the handling of sweet onions grown in the Walla Walla Valley of Southeast Washington and Northeast Oregon and is administered locally by the Walla Walla Sweet Onion Marketing Committee (Committee). Allowing sweet onion market preparation to occur outside the production area increases the marketing options for Walla Walla sweet onions and may reduce marketing costs. Modification of the reporting requirements contributes to the efficient operation of the program and enhances compliance with the special purpose shipment procedures established in this rule.