Sweet Cherries Grown in Designated Counties in Washington; Change in Pack Requirements

The Department of Agriculture (Department) is adopting, as a final rule without change, the provisions of an interim final rule changing the pack requirements currently prescribed under the Washington cherry marketing order. The marketing order regulates the handling of sweet cherries grown in designated counties in Washington and is administered locally by the Washington Cherry Marketing Committee (Committee). This rule finalizes the establishment of two additional row count/row size designations for Washington cherries when containers destined for fresh market channels are marked with a row count/row size designation. The two additional row count/row size designations are 8 row (84/64 inches in diameter) and 8\1/2\ row (79/64 inches in diameter). This change will allow the Washington cherry industry to further differentiate cherries by row count/row size. The change is intended to provide handlers more marketing flexibility, clarify the choices available to buyers, and improve returns to producers.