Apricots Grown in Designated Counties in Washington; Temporary Suspension of Grade Requirements for Apricots of the Patterson Variety

The Department of Agriculture (Department) is adopting as a final rule, without change, the provisions of an interim final rule which temporarily suspended for the 1995 season only, the minimum grade requirements (Washington No. 1) for fresh shipments of the Patterson variety of apricots grown in Washington. The suspension will enable handlers of Patterson variety apricots to ship more fruit to the fresh market, taking into consideration the significant hail damage experienced by this variety during the growing season. This action will improve returns to producers of the Patterson variety of apricots. This rule was recommended by the Washington Apricot Marketing Committee (Committee), the agency responsible for the local administration of the marketing order for Washington apricots.