Pistachios Grown in California; Establishment of Procedures for Exempting Handlers From Minimum Quality Testing

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim final rule that established procedures for exempting handlers from quality requirements, including maximum limits for quality defects and minimum size, prescribed under the California pistachio marketing order (order). The order regulates the handling of pistachios grown in California and is administered locally by the Administrative Committee for Pistachios (committee). These procedures will be used by the committee in considering handler requests for exemptions from minimum quality testing requirements and when considering revocations of such exemptions. Additionally, this final rule continues in effect the establishment of an appeals process for handlers who have been denied an exemption or had an approved exemption revoked.