Nectarines and Peaches Grown in California; Revision of Handling Requirements for Fresh Nectarines and Peaches

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final rule, with minor changes, the provisions of an interim final rule and an amended interim final rule revising the handling requirements for California nectarines and peaches by modifying the grade, size, maturity, and container and pack requirements for fresh shipments of these fruits, beginning with 2003 season shipments. This rule also continues in effect a modification of the requirements for placement of Federal-State Inspection Service lot stamps for the 2003 season, a revised net weight for a style of containers, an exemption for those containers from the well-filled requirement, clarifications to the provisions on the use of variety names, and the revised weight-count standards for Peento type peaches. It also changes the names of six peach varieties for clarification purposes. The marketing orders regulate the handling of nectarines and peaches grown in California and are administered locally by the Nectarine Administrative and Peach Commodity Committee (committees).