AMS Invites Written Exceptions on Proposed Amendments to Marketing Order on Kiwifruit Grown in California
November 12, 2009The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has issued a recommended decision regarding proposed amendments to Marketing Order No. 920 (order), which regulates the handling of kiwifruit grown in California. Four amendments were proposed by the Kiwifruit Administrative Committee (committee), which is responsible for local administration of the order. These proposed amendments would redefine the districts into which the production area is divided and reallocate committee membership positions among the districts, revise the committee nomination and selection procedures, authorize the committee to conduct research and promotion programs, and revise committee meeting and voting procedures. The proposals are intended to improve the operation and administration of the order. The recommended decision invites written exceptions on the proposed amendments.
The order regulates the handling of kiwifruit grown in the state of California. Total bearing kiwifruit acreage has declined from a peak of approximately 7,300 acres in 1992–1993 to about 4,000 acres in 2007–2008. Approximately 24,500 tons of kiwifruit were produced in California during the 2007-2008 season — a decline of approximately 27,800 tons compared to the 1992–1993 season. According to evidence provided at the hearing, approximately 30% of the 2007–2008 California kiwifruit crop was shipped to export markets, including Canada, Mexico, Central America, and Asia.
Under the order, outgoing grade, size, pack, and container regulations are established for kiwifruit shipments and shipping and inventory information is collected. Program activities administered by the committee are designed to support large and small kiwifruit growers and handlers.
Written exceptions must be filed by December 14, 2009 with the Hearing Clerk, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 1031-S, Washington, DC 20250-9200; fax: (202) 720-9776 or via the Federal eRulemaking Portal. All comments should reference the docket number and the date and page number of the notice (PDF) issued the Federal Register.
For further information, contact: Laurel May or Kathleen Finn, Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; phone: (202) 720-2491, fax: (202) 720-8938, e-mail: Laurel.May@ams.usda.gov or Kathy.Finn@ams.usda.gov.
