Oranges, Grapefruit, Tangerines, and Tangelos Grown in Florida; and Import Regulations (Grapefruit); Relaxation of the Minimum Size Requirement for Red Grapefruit

The Department of Agriculture (Department) is adopting as a final rule, without change, the provisions of an interim final rule changing regulations under the Florida citrus marketing order and grapefruit import regulations. This rule relaxes the minimum size requirement for red seedless grapefruit from 3\9/16\ inches in diameter (size 48) to 3\5/16\ inches in diameter (size 56). The Citrus Administrative Committee (Committee), the agency that locally administers the marketing order for oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and tangelos grown in Florida, unanimously recommended this change. This change will enable handlers and importers to continue to ship size 56 red seedless grapefruit for the entire 1996-97 season.