Onions Grown in Certain Designated Counties in Idaho, and Malheur County, Oregon; Relaxation of Pack and Marking Requirements

The Department of Agriculture (Department) is adopting as a final rule, without change, the provisions of an interim final rule permitting bulk shipments of U.S. Commercial and U.S. No. 2 grade onions which contain more than 30 percent U.S. No. 1 grade onions. A bulk shipment is one in which the onions are packed in containers weighing 60 pounds or more. This rule also removes the requirement that bulk containers of onions packed as U.S. Commercial grade shall have the grade marked permanently and conspicuously on the containers. These changes are intended to improve the marketing of such onions, reduce handler packing costs, and increase returns to growers. These changes were recommended by the Idaho-Eastern Oregon Onion Committee (committee), the agency responsible for the local administration of the marketing order for onions grown in certain designated counties in Idaho, and Malheur County, Oregon.