Almonds Grown in California; Revision to Requirements Regarding Inedible Almonds

The Department of Agriculture (Department) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, the provisions of an interim final rule revising the administrative rules and regulations of the California almond marketing order regarding inedible almonds. Under the terms of the order, handlers are required to obtain inspection on almonds received from growers to determine the percent of inedible almonds in each lot of any variety. Handlers are then required to dispose of a quantity of almonds in excess of 1 percent of the weight of almonds reported as inedible to non-human consumption outlets. This rule allows alternative methods of determining handlers' inedible disposition obligations in such instances. It will add flexibility to the order's rules and regulations and will help ensure that the integrity of the quality control provisions is maintained.