Vegetables, Import Regulations; Partial Exemption to the Minimum Grade Requirements for Fresh Tomatoes

This rule provides a partial exemption to the minimum grade requirements under the tomato import regulation. The Florida Tomato Committee (Committee), which locally administers the marketing order for tomatoes grown in Florida (order), recommended the change for Florida tomatoes. The order's administrative rules and regulations were recently revised to exempt Vintage Ripes<SUP>TM</SUP> tomatoes (Vintage Ripes<SUP>TM</SUP>) from the shape requirements associated with the U.S. No. 2 grade. A corresponding change to the import regulation is required under section 8e of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937. This rule provides the same partial exemption for Vintage Ripes<SUP>TM</SUP> under the import regulation so it conforms to the regulations under the order.