Melons Grown in South Texas; Change in Container Regulation

This interim final rule changes the handling regulation currently prescribed under the South Texas melon (cantaloupes and honeydews) marketing order. The marketing order regulates the handling of melons grown in South Texas and is administered locally by the South Texas Melon Committee (committee). This rule changes the dimensions of bulk containers used for shipping honeydew melons, requires these containers to be octagonal or rectangular in shape, and adds a dimension tolerance for that container. It also adds provisions allowing the committee to approve the use of experimental containers and melon shipments for experimental purposes, and removes two experimental containers that have not been used by the industry for several years. These changes were unanimously recommended by the committee and are expected to enable handlers to compete more effectively in the marketplace.