Tart Cherries Grown in the States of Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin; Revising Handler Reporting and Grower Diversion Requirements

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that changed handler reporting and grower diversion requirements prescribed under the marketing order for tart cherries grown in the States of Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin (order). The Cherry Industry Administrative Board (Board) locally administers the order. The interim rule changed the deadline for submitting the handler reserve plan from November 1 to October 1 and extended the deadline for redeeming or transferring grower diversion certificates from November 1 to June 30 of a given crop year. These changes provide the industry with a more complete and timely picture of the available supply of tart cherries earlier in the season and give handlers more time and flexibility in meeting their obligations under volume regulation.