Almonds Grown in California; Change in Quality Control Requirements

The Department of Agriculture (Department) is adopting as a final rule, without change, the provisions of an interim final rule changing the quality control requirements currently prescribed under the California almond marketing order. The marketing order regulates the handling of almonds grown in California and is administered locally by the Almond Board of California (Board). This rule removes the exemption from inspection for the Peerless variety of almonds sold inshell. This change is needed to bring the administrative rules and regulations into conformance with amendments to the marketing order recently approved by a majority vote of producers. In addition, this change will better reflect current industry practices because most almonds are already inspected, including the Peerless variety.