Amendment of General Regulations for Marketing Orders; Adding Stipulation Procedures

This rule amends the general regulations for federal marketing orders and marketing agreements covering fruits, vegetables and nuts, by adding a provision for implementing stipulation procedures to resolve certain violations of marketing orders, marketing agreements, Section 8e import regulations, and provisions regulating nonsignatory peanut handlers. Marketing orders, marketing agreements, and the other regulatory provisions listed above regulate handlers and/or importers of various agricultural commodities and are authorized under the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 (Act). The Act gives the Department of Agriculture (Department) authority to institute formal administrative proceedings against handlers and/or importers who violate marketing orders, marketing agreements, and other regulatory provisions under the Act. This rule would give the Department another tool for enforcement by allowing the Department to enter into a written agreement with a violator who agrees to waive a hearing and pay a civil penalty without a formal administrative proceeding.