[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 115 (Thursday, June 16, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-14588]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: June 16, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Parts 915 and 944

[Docket Nos. FV93-915-2FR and FV91-288-FR]

 

Avocados Grown in South Florida and Imported Avocados; Changes to 
Maturity and Reporting Requirements

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This final rule revises minimum maturity requirements and 
suspends certain reporting requirements for avocados grown in South 
Florida. This rule is designed to ensure that only mature fruit is 
shipped to the fresh market, thereby improving grower and importer 
returns and promoting orderly marketing conditions. For avocados 
imported into the United States, this final rule reinstates maturity 
requirements with certain revisions; adds an exemption for certain 
avocado varieties; removes the exemption for avocados grown in the 
southern hemisphere; and adds exemptions from maturity requirements for 
avocados imported for certain uses. This rule is needed so that 
imported avocados meet the same minimum size and color maturity 
requirements as those established for avocados under the Federal 
marketing order covering Florida avocados, consistent with section 8e 
of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937.

EFFECTIVE DATE: June 20, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Caroline C. Thorpe, Marketing 
Specialist, Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable 
Division, AMS, USDA, P.O. Box 96456, room 2523-S, Washington, DC 20090-
6456; telephone: 202-720-5127; or Aleck J. Jonas, Southeast Marketing 
Field Office, USDA/AMS, P.O. Box 2276, Winter Haven, Florida 33883; 
telephone: 813-299-4770.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This rule is issued under Marketing 
Agreement No. 148 and Order No. 915 (7 CFR part 915), as amended, 
regulating the handling of avocados grown in South Florida, hereinafter 
referred to as the order. The order is effective under the Agricultural 
Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674), 
hereinafter referred to as the Act.
    This rule is also issued under section 8e of the Act, which 
requires the Secretary of Agriculture to issue grade, size, quality, or 
maturity requirements for certain listed commodities, including 
avocados, imported into the United States that are the same as, or 
comparable to, those imposed upon the domestic commodities, under 
Federal marketing orders. The Secretary has determined that the 
maturity requirements for imported avocados should be the same as those 
established for avocados grown in South Florida under the order.
    The Department is issuing this rule in conformance with Executive 
Order 12866.
    This final rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12778, 
Civil Justice Reform. This action is not intended to have retroactive 
effect. This final rule will not preempt any state or local laws, 
regulations, or policies, unless they present an irreconcilable 
conflict with this rule.
    The Act provides that administrative proceedings must be exhausted 
before parties may file suit in court. Under section 8c(15)(A) of the 
Act, any handler subject to an order may file with the Secretary a 
petition stating that the order, any provision of the order, or any 
obligation imposed in connection with the order is not in accordance 
with law and requesting a modification of the order or to be exempted 
therefrom. A handler is afforded the opportunity for a hearing on the 
petition. After the hearing, the Secretary would rule on the petition. 
The Act provides that the district court of the United States in any 
district in which the handler is an inhabitant, or has his or her 
principal place of business, has jurisdiction in equity to review the 
Secretary's ruling on the petition, provided a bill in equity is filed 
not later than 20 days after the date of the entry of the ruling. There 
are no administrative procedures which must be exhausted prior to any 
judicial challenge to the provisions of the import rule.
    Pursuant to requirements set forth in the Regulatory Flexibility 
Act (RFA), the Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service 
(AMS) has considered the economic impact of this action on small 
entities.
    The purpose of the RFA is to fit regulatory actions to the scale of 
business subject to such actions in order that small businesses will 
not be unduly or disproportionately burdened. Marketing orders issued 
pursuant to the Act, and rules issued thereunder, are unique in that 
they are brought about through group action of essentially small 
entities acting on their own behalf. Thus, both statutes have small 
entity orientation and compatibility. Import regulations issued under 
the Act are based on those established under Federal marketing orders.
    There are about 65 avocado handlers subject to regulation under the 
marketing order covering avocados grown in Florida and about 95 
avocados producers in South Florida. There are about 20 avocado 
importers who will be subject to the avocado import maturity 
requirements. Small agricultural producers have been defined by the 
Small Business Administration (13 CFR 121.601) as those whose annual 
receipts are less than $500,000, and small agricultural service firms, 
which include avocado handlers and importers, have been defined by the 
Small Business Administration as those having annual receipts of less 
than $5,000,000. The majority of the Florida avocado handlers and 
producers, and avocado importers may be classified as small entities.
    This rule finalizes two proposed rules: the first proposed 
revisions in the maturity and reporting requirements for avocados grown 
in Florida; the second proposed reinstatement and revision of maturity 
requirements for imported avocados. Both proposed rules were published 
in the April 4, 1994, Federal Register [59 FR 15658 and 15661] and 
provided 30 days to interested persons to file comments. No comments 
were received. However, several typographical and printing errors were 
identified in both proposed rules as published. This final rule 
corrects the errors in Table I of both rules: (1) For the Booth 8 
variety after October 10, the minimum diameter is changed from 3\3/16\ 
to 3\1/16\ inches; (2) for the Chica variety after October 3, the 
minimum diameter is changed from 3\1/16\ to 3\4/16\ inches.
    The Avocado Administrative Committee (committee) works with the 
Department in administering the order, and it meets prior to and during 
each season to consider recommendations for modification, suspension, 
or termination of the regulatory requirements for Florida avocados.
    The committee met December 8, 1993, and unanimously recommended 
that the shipping schedules for avocados be revised and that certain 
reporting requirements be temporarily suspended. Committee meetings are 
open to the public and interested persons may express their views at 
these meetings. The Department reviews committee recommendations, 
information submitted by the committee and other information, and 
determines whether modification, suspension, or termination of the 
regulatory requirements would tend to effectuate the declared policy of 
the Act.
    Maturity requirements for avocados grown in Florida, based on 
minimum weights, diameters, and skin color, are specified in 
Sec. 915.322 [7 CFR 915.322], and are in effect on a continuous basis. 
These maturity requirements specify minimum weights and diameters for 
specific shipping periods for some 60 varieties of avocados, and color 
specifications for those varieties which turn red or purple when 
mature. The maturity requirements for the various varieties of avocados 
are different, because each variety has different characteristics. The 
maturity requirements for each avocado variety are based on maturity 
test results.
    These maturity requirements are designed to prevent shipments of 
immature avocados to the fresh market, especially during the early part 
of the harvest season for each variety. Providing fresh markets with 
mature fruit is an important aspect of creating consumer satisfaction 
and is in the interest of both producers and consumers. Fresh shipments 
of Florida avocados usually begin with light shipments of early 
varieties in May, and they continue until the following March or April, 
with heaviest shipments occurring from July through December.
    This final rule revises the shipping schedules for the avocado 
varieties specified in Table I of paragraph (a)(2) of Sec. 915.322 (7 
CFR part 915.322) to synchronize those schedules with any calendar 
year. The previous schedules needed to be adjusted to each new year to 
ensure that dates and weekdays conformed to each new year. The 
schedules in Table I are similar to previous calendars, except that the 
maturity schedules have fixed dates, which become effective on the 
Monday nearest the date specified in Table I. The new schedules are 
expected to conform more closely to the needs of the industry. This 
final rule also exempts from maturity requirements the Hass, Fuerte, 
Zutano, and Edranol varieties of avocados, since these varieties of 
avocados are not commercially grown in the production area in Florida.
    A minimum grade requirement of U.S. No. 2 currently in effect on a 
continuous basis for avocados grown in Florida under Sec. 915.306 (7 
CFR part 915.306), and for avocados imported into the United States 
under Sec. 944.28 (7 CFR part 944.28) remains in effect unchanged by 
this action.
    Florida avocado handlers may ship, exempt from the minimum grade, 
size, and maturity requirements effective under the order, up to 55 
pounds of avocados during any one day under a minimum quantity 
provision, and up to 20 pounds of avocados as gift packs in 
individually addressed containers. Also, avocados grown in Florida 
utilized for commercial processing are not subject to the grade, size, 
and maturity requirements under the order.
    Paragraph (d) of Sec. 915.150 (7 CFR part 915.150), currently 
requires that each handler, at the end of the day's operation, report 
to the committee the number of containers (\1/4\ Bushel, \1/2\ Bushel, 
and \4/5\ Bushel) of avocados sold and delivered within the State of 
Florida. This final action suspends paragraph (d) of Sec. 915.150 for 
the next two seasons, through March 31, 1996. This temporarily suspends 
the requirement that handlers file the ``Avocado Handler Daily Size 
Report Form'' which takes about 0.083 hours to complete for each 
report. The committee has determined that information needed for 
operations, marketing policies, and compliance, could sufficiently be 
obtained from inspection certificates collected on a daily basis by 
program staff, and that information collected on the ``Avocado Handler 
Daily Size Report Form'' will not be needed for the next two seasons. 
Further, Hurricane Andrew reduced avocado production by almost half, 
and this has reduced assessment collections, resulting in a need to 
reduce staff and administration costs.
    This rule is also issued under section 8e of the Act, which 
requires the Secretary of Agriculture to issue grade, size, quality, or 
maturity requirements for certain listed commodities imported into the 
United States, including avocados, that are the same as, or comparable 
to, those imposed upon the domestic commodities under Federal marketing 
orders.
    Minimum size (weight and diameter) and skin color maturity 
requirements for imported avocados in Sec. 944.31 (7 CFR 944.31) were 
continuously in effect for several years prior to their suspension by a 
final rule issued May 15, 1991 (56 FR 23009, May 20, 1991). The avocado 
import maturity requirements were temporarily suspended to provide the 
United States Trade Representative (USTR) adequate time to review 
contemplated changes in those requirements, as required by section 8e 
of the Act. Suspension of the avocado import maturity requirements 
became necessary when the Florida avocado maturity requirements in 
Sec. 915.332 (7 CFR 915.332), upon which the avocado import maturity 
requirements were based, were revised on May 15, 1991 (56 FR 23005, May 
20, 1991). This revision was finalized on September 4, 1991 (56 FR 
46224, September 11, 1991). Section 915.332 was most recently amended 
to make calendar date adjustments in the shipping schedule for several 
varieties of Florida avocados on June 29, 1993 (58 FR 34684, June 29, 
1993), and that rule was finalized on October 4, 1993 (58 FR 46759, 
September 3, 1993).
    Prior to suspension, the avocado import maturity requirements were 
based on minimum weights and diameters applied to avocados grown in all 
foreign countries, except for those grown in southern hemisphere 
countries. Such requirements were applied to each variety for a 
specific time period during the first part of the shipping period. The 
minimum weights or diameters were not applied to avocados grown in 
southern hemisphere countries, such as Chile, where practically all 
imported southern hemisphere avocados have originated in recent years, 
because the southern hemisphere's avocado growing season and various 
shipping periods differ from those in Florida. The import maturity 
requirements based on minimum weights or diameters were applied to 
avocados grown in northern hemisphere countries, such as those in the 
Bahamas and the Dominican Republic, where practically all northern 
hemisphere imported avocados have originated in recent years, because 
their growing season and various shipping periods are similar to those 
in Florida.
    The avocado import maturity requirements based on skin color for 
certain varieties of avocados which turn red, purple or black when 
mature were applied to avocados imported from all foreign countries in 
both the southern and northern hemispheres. Such requirements applied 
to all avocados grown in both hemispheres, because all such avocados 
turn color when mature regardless of where they are grown.
    This final rule also reinstates the minimum size (weight and 
diameter) requirements for avocados and the skin color maturity 
requirements for avocados imported from all foreign countries by 
lifting the suspended provisions of Sec. 944.31. However, this final 
rule exempts the Hass, Fuerte, Zutano, and Edranol varieties of 
avocados from such import maturity requirements, because such varieties 
are not grown in commercial quantities in Florida and regulated under 
the Florida avocado maturity requirements in Sec. 915.332.
    This final rule obviates the need for exempting avocados imported 
from the southern hemisphere, since the major varieties imported from 
the southern hemisphere are the Hass, Fuerte, Zutano, and Edranol 
varieties.
    This final rule also adds language to Sec. 944.31 to cite the 
minimum size (weight and diameter) and skin color maturity 
requirements, and define the term ``diameter''.
    This final rule also exempts imported avocados under Sec. 944.31 
from minimum weight, diameter, and color maturity requirements if they 
are to be used in certain specified outlets. Similar exemptions from 
grade requirements established for imported avocados under Sec. 944.28 
were implemented by an interim final rule published in the Federal 
Register [58 FR 69182, December 30, 1993], with an effective date of 
January 1, 1994.
    The avocado import maturity regulation [7 CFR 944.31] is based on 
the maturity requirements in effect for avocados grown in Florida under 
the order throughout the year. Under the order, any person may handle 
avocados without regard to established grade, size, quality, or 
maturity requirements provided that such avocados are handled for (1) 
consumption by charitable institutions; (2) distribution by relief 
agencies; (3) commercial processing into products; (4) seed; or (5) 
individual shipments of up to 55 pounds. Prior to issuance of this 
rule, the only exemption allowed under the avocado import regulation 
was that for individual shipments of up to 55 pounds. Thus, this final 
rule adds consumption by charitable institutions, distribution by 
relief agencies, seed, and commercial processing into products to the 
list of exemptions allowed under the avocado import regulation.
    To ensure that imported avocados exempt from the maturity 
requirements are utilized in exempt outlets, this rule states that such 
avocados be subject to the safeguard procedures for imported fruit 
established in Sec. 944.350 [58 FR 69182, December 30, 1993].
    Under these procedures, an importer wishing to import avocados 
covered herein for uses in other than regulated commercial channels, 
must complete in triplicate, prior to importation, an ``Importer's 
Exempt Commodity Form.'' One copy will notify the Marketing Order 
Administration Branch (MOAB) of the Fruit and Vegetable Division, AMS, 
and the second copy will notify the U.S. Customs Service of the 
importer's intent to import a commodity under an exemption. The third 
copy will accompany the exempt lot to the receiver.
    The form may be obtained from either the inspection or customs 
offices serving the port of entry. The form may also be obtained from 
the MOAB in Washington, DC or from its Marketing Field Offices in 
Fresno, California; Portland, Oregon; McAllen, Texas; or Winter Haven, 
Florida.
    The form must be completed at the time the commodity enters the 
United States. Copies are to be returned to the U.S. Customs Service at 
the time the commodity is offered for importation and to MOAB within 15 
days after completion of the form. Information called for on the 
``Importer's Exempt Commodity Form'' includes:

(1) The commodity and the variety (if known) being imported,
(2) The date and place of inspection, if applicable,
(3) Identifying marks or numbers on the containers,
(4) Identifying numbers on the railroad car, truck or other 
transportation vehicle transporting product to the receiver,
(5) The name and address of the importer,
(6) The place and date of entry,
(7) The quantity imported,
(8) the name and address of the intended receiver (eg. processor, 
feeder, charity, or other exempt receiver),
(9) Intended use of the exempt commodity,
(10) The U.S. Customs Service entry number and harmonized tariff code 
number, and
(11) Such other information as may be necessary to ensure compliance 
with this regulation.

    For purposes of this regulation, a lot is considered to be imported 
when it is released by the Customs Service for entry into commercial 
markets or other channels. Lots that are exempt from maturity 
requirements of the import regulations are not subject to the 
inspection and certification requirements in such regulations. An 
imported lot intended for normal commercial channels, or any portion of 
such a lot, that fails established maturity requirements, could be 
disposed of in exempt outlets, as specified in the pertinent avocado 
import requirements.
    The third copy of the form will accompany the exempt lot to its 
intended destination. The receiver will then certify that the lot has 
been received and it will be utilized in an exempt outlet. After the 
certification is signed by the receiver, the form is to be returned to 
MOAB by the receiver, within 15 days of receipt of the lot.
    The information collection requirements contained in this final 
rule have been previously approved by the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 [44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35], and have been assigned OMB numbers 0581-0078 for 
avocados grown in South Florida and 0581-0167 for imported avocados.
    In accordance with section 8e of the Act, the USTR has concurred 
with the issuance of this final rule.
    This final rule reflects the committee's and the Department's 
appraisal of the need to make the specified changes. The Department's 
view is that this action will have a beneficial impact on producers and 
handlers since it will help ensure that only mature avocados are 
shipped to fresh markets. The committee considers that maturity 
requirements for Florida grown avocados are necessary to improve grower 
returns and promote orderly marketing conditions. Although compliance 
with these maturity requirements will affect costs to handlers, these 
costs will be offset by the benefits of providing the industry and 
consumers with mature avocados.
    This final rule also reflects the Department's appraisal of the 
need to reinstate the suspended avocado import maturity requirements, 
with the specified revisions, as hereinafter set forth, in accordance 
with section 8e of the Act.
    Based on the above, the Administrator of the AMS has determined 
that this final rule will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities.
    After consideration of all relevant matter presented, the 
information and recommendations submitted by the committee, and other 
information, it is found that this final rule as hereinafter set forth, 
will tend to effectuate the declared policy of the Act.
    Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553, it is also found and determined that good 
cause exists for not postponing the effective date of this action until 
30 days after publication in the Federal Register because: (1) The 
shipping season for South Florida avocados is expected to begin in late 
May; (2) avocado handlers are aware of this action which was 
unanimously recommended by the committee; (3) notice of the proposed 
rules were published in the Federal Register, and no comments were 
received during the 30-day comment period.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 915

    Avocados, Marketing agreements, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 944

    Avocados, Food grades and standards, Grapefruit, Grapes, Imports, 
Kiwifruit, Limes, Olives, Oranges.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 7 CFR parts 915 and 944 
are amended as follows:
    1. The authority citation for 7 CFR parts 915 and 944 continues to 
read as follows:

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601-674.

PART 915--AVOCADOS GROWN IN SOUTH FLORIDA

    2. Section 915.332 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 915.332  Florida avocado maturity regulation.

    (a) No handler shall handle any variety of avocados, except Hass, 
Fuerte, Zutano, and Edranol, grown in the production area unless:
    (1) Any portion of the skin of the individual avocados has changed 
to the color normal for that fruit when mature for those varieties 
which normally change color to any shade of red or purple when mature, 
except for the Linda variety; or
    (2) Such avocados meet the minimum weight or diameter requirements 
for the Monday nearest each date specified, through the Sunday 
immediately prior to the nearest Monday of the specified date in the 
next column, for each variety listed in the following TABLE I: 
Provided, that avocados may not be handled prior to the earliest date 
specified in column A of such table for the respective variety; 
Provided further, There are no restrictions on size or weight on or 
after the date specified in column D; Provided further, That up to a 
total of 10 percent, by count to the individual fruit in each lot may 
weigh less than the minimum specified or be less than the specified 
diameter, except that no such avocados shall be over 2 ounces lighter 
than the minimum weight specified for the variety: Provided further, 
That up to double such tolerance shall be permitted for fruit in an 
individual container in a lot.

                                                                        Table I                                                                         
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Min.      Min.                 Min.      Min.                 Min.      Min.             
                     Variety                        A date     wt.      diam.      Bdate      wt.      diam.      C date     wt.      diam.      D date 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Dupuis #2...................................       5-30       16    3\7/16\       6-13       14    3\5/16\       7-04       12    3\2/16\       7-18
Simmons.........................................       6-20       16    3\9/16\       7-04       14    3\7/16\       7-18       12    3\1/16\       8-01
Pollock.........................................       6-20       18   3\11/16\       7-04       16    3\7/16\       7-18       14    3\4/16\       8-01
Hardee..........................................       6-27       16    3\2/16\       7-04       14   2\14/16\       7-11       12  .........       7-25
Nadir...........................................       6-27       14    3\3/16\       7-04       12    3\1/16\       7-11       10   2\14/16\       7-18
Ruehle..........................................       7-04       18   3\11/16\       7-11                                                              
                                                                                      7-18       16                                                     
                                                                                                 14    3\9/16\                                          
                                                                                                       3\7/16\       8-01                               
                                                                                                                     8-08       12                      
                                                                                                                                10    3\5/16\           
                                                                                                                                      3\3/16\       8-15
                                                                                                                                               .........
Bernecker.......................................       7-18       18    3\6/16\       8-01       16    3\5/16\       8-15       14    3\4/16\       8-29
Miguel (P)......................................       7-18       22   3\13/16\       8-01       20   3\12/16\       8-15       18   3\10/16\       8-29
Nesbitt.........................................       7-18       22   3\12/16\       8-01       16    3\5/16\       8-08       14    3\3/16\       8-22
Tonnage.........................................       8-01       16    3\6/16\       8-15       14    3\4/16\       8-22       12    3\0/16\       8-29
Waldin..........................................       8-01       16    3\9/16\       8-15       14    3\7/16\       8-29       12    3\4/16\       9-12
Tower...........................................       8-01       14    3\6/16\       8-15       12    3\4/16\  .........  .......  .........       9-05
Beta............................................       8-08       18    3\8/16\       8-15       16    3\5/16\  .........  .......  .........       9-05
Lisa (P)........................................       8-08       12    3\2/16\       8-15       11          3  .........  .......  .........       8-22
Black Prince....................................       8-15       28    4\1/16\       8-29       23   3\14/16\       9-12       16    3\9/16\      10-03
Loretta.........................................       8-22       30    4\3/16\       9-05       26   3\15/16\  .........  .......  .........       9-26
Booth 8.........................................       8-29       16    3\9/16\       9-12       14    3\6/16\       9-26                               
                                                                                                                    10-10       12                      
                                                                                                                                10    3\3/16\           
                                                                                                                                      3\1/16\      10-24
Booth 7.........................................       8-29       18   3\13/16\       9-12       16   3\10/16\       9-26       14    3\8/16\      10-10
Booth 5.........................................       9-05       14    3\9/16\       9-19       12    3\6/16\  .........  .......  .........      10-03
Choquette.......................................       9-26       28    4\4/16\      10-17       24    4\1/16\      10-31       20   3\14/16\      11-14
Hall............................................       9-26       26   3\14/16\      10-10       20    3\9/16\      10-24       18    3\8/16\      11-07
Lula............................................      10-03       18   3\11/16\      10-10       14    3\6/16\      10-31       12    3\3/16\      11-14
Monroe..........................................      11-07       26    4\3/16\      11-21       24    4\1/16\      12-05                               
                                                                                                                    12-19       20                      
                                                                                                                                16   3\14/16\           
                                                                                                                                      3\9/16\       1-02
                                                                                                                                               .........
Arue............................................       5-16  .......         16       5-30       14    3\3/16\  .........  .......  .........       7-04
Donnie..........................................       5-23       16    3\5/16\       6-06       14    3\4/16\  .........  .......  .........       7-04
Fuchs...........................................       6-06       14    3\3/16\       6-20       12    3\0/16\  .........  .......  .........       7-04
K-5.............................................       6-13       18    3\5/16\       6-27       14    3\3/16\  .........  .......  .........       7-11
West Indian Seedling\1\.........................       6-20       18  .........       7-18       16  .........       8-22       14  .........       9-19
Gorham..........................................       7-04       29    4\5/16\       7-18       27    4\3/16\  .........  .......  .........       8-15
Biondo..........................................       7-11       13  .........  .........  .......  .........  .........  .......  .........       8-15
Petersen........................................       7-11       14    3\8/16\       7-18       12    3\5/16\       7-25       10    3\2/16\       8-08
232.............................................       7-18       14  .........       8-01       12  .........  .........  .......  .........       8-15
Pinelli.........................................       7-18       18   3\12/16\       8-01       16   3\10/16\  .........  .......  .........       8-15
Trapp...........................................       7-18       14   3\10/16\       8-01       12    3\7/16\  .........  .......  .........       8-15
K-9.............................................       8-01       16  .........  .........  .......  .........  .........  .......  .........       8-22
Christina.......................................       8-01       11   2\14/16\  .........  .......  .........  .........  .......  .........       8-22
Catalina........................................       8-15       24  .........       8-29       22  .........  .........  .......  .........       9-19
Blair...........................................       8-29       16    3\8/16\       9-12       14    3\5/16\  .........  .......  .........      10-03
Guatemalan Seedling\2\..........................       9-05       15  .........      10-03       13  .........  .........  .......  .........      12-05
Marcus..........................................       9-05       32   4\12/16\       9/19       24    4\5/16\  .........  .......  .........      10-31
Brooks 1978.....................................       9-05       12    3\4/16\       9-12       10    3\1/16\       9-19        8   2\14/16\      10-10
Rue.............................................       9-12       30    4\3/16\       9-19       24   3\15/16\      10-03       18    3\9/16\      10-17
Collinson.......................................       9-12       16   3\10/16\  .........  .......  .........  .........  .......  .........      10-10
Hickson.........................................       9-12       12    3\1/16\       9-26       10    3\0/16\  .........  .......  .........      10-10
Simpson.........................................       9-19       16    3\9/16\  .........  .......  .........  .........  .......  .........      10-10
Chica...........................................       9-19       12    3\7/16\      10-03       10    3\4/16\  .........  .......  .........      10-17
Leona...........................................       9-26       18   3\10/16\  .........  .......  .........  .........  .......  .........      10-10
Herman..........................................      10-03       16    3\9/16\      10-17       14    3\6/16\  .........  .......  .........      10-31
Pinkerton (CP)..................................      10-03       13    3\3/16\      10-17       11    3\0/16\      10-31        9  .........      11-14
Taylor..........................................      10-10       14    3\5/16\      10-24       12    3\2/16\  .........  .......  .........      11-07
Ajax (B-7)......................................      10-10       18   3\14/16\  .........  .......  .........  .........  .......  .........      10-31
Booth 3.........................................      10-10       16    3\8/16\      10-17       14    3\6/16\  .........  .......  .........      10-31
Booth 1.........................................      11-14       16   3\12/16\      11-28       12    3\6/16\  .........  .......  .........      12-12
Zio (P).........................................      11-14       12    3\1/16\      11-28       10   2\14/16\  .........  .......  .........      12-12
Gossman.........................................      11-28       11    3\1/16\  .........  .......  .........  .........  .......  .........      12-26
Brookslate......................................      12-05       18   3\13/16\      12-12       16   3\10/16\       1-02       12    3\5/16\       1-30
                                                                                     12-19       14    3\8/16\       1-16       10                      
Meya (P)........................................      12-12       13    3\2/16\      12-26       11    3\0/16\  .........  .......  .........       1-89
Reed (CP).......................................      12-12       12    3\4/16\      12-26       10    3\3/16\       1-09        9    3\0/16\      1-23 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Avocados of the West Indian type varieties and seedlings not listed elsewhere in Table I.                                                            
\2\Avocados of the Guatemalan type varieties and seedlings, hybrid varieties and seedlings, and unidentified seedlings not listed elsewhere in Table I. 

    (b) The term diameter means the greatest dimension measured at a 
right angle to a straight line from the stem to the blossom end of the 
fruit.

PART 944--FRUITS; IMPORT REGULATIONS

    3. The suspension of Sec. 944.31 is removed and the section is 
revised to read as follows:


Sec. 944.31  Avocado import maturity regulation.

    (a) Pursuant to section 8e [7 U.S.C. 608e-1] of the Agricultural 
Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended [7 U.S.C 601-674], and Part 
944--Fruits; Import Regulations, the importation into the United States 
of any avocados, except the Hass, Fuerte, Zutano, and Edranol 
varieties, is prohibited unless:
    (1) any portion of the skin of the individual avocados has changed 
to the color normal for that fruit when mature for those varieties 
which normally change color to any shade of red or purple when mature, 
except for the Linda variety; or
    (2) Such avocados meet the minimum weight or diameter requirements 
for the Monday nearest each date specified, through the Sunday 
immediately prior to the nearest Monday of the specified date in the 
next column, for each variety listed in the following Table I: 
Provided, that avocados may not be handled prior to the earliest date 
specified in column A of such table for the respective variety; 
Provided further, There are no restrictions on size or weight on or 
after the date specified in column D; Provided further, That up to a 
total of 10 percent, by count to the individual fruit in each lot may 
weigh less than the minimum specified or be less than the specified 
diameter, except that no such avocados shall be over 2 ounces lighter 
than the minimum weight specified for the variety: Provided further, 
That up to double such tolerance shall be permitted for fruit in an 
individual container in a lot.

                                                                        Table 1                                                                         
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Min.      Min.                 Min.      Min.                 Min.      Min.             
                     Variety                        Adate      wt.      diam.      Bdate      wt.      diam.      Cdate      wt.      diam.      Ddate  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Dupuis #2...................................       5-30       16   3 \7/16\       6-13       14   3 \5/16\       7-04       12   3 \2/16\       7-18
Simmons.........................................       6-20       16   3 \9/16\       7-04       14   3 \7/16\       7-18       12   3 \1/16\       8-01
Pollock.........................................       6-20       18  3 \11/16\       7-04       16   3 \7/16\       7-18       14   3 \4/16\       8-01
Hardee..........................................       6-27       16   3 \2/16\       7-04       14  2 \14/16\       7-11       12  .........       7-25
Nadir...........................................       6-27       14   3 \3/16\       7-04       12   3 \1/16\       7-11       10  2 \14/16\       7-18
Ruehle..........................................       7-04       18  3 \11/16\       7-11                                                              
                                                                                      7-18       16                                                     
                                                                                                 14   3 \9/16\                                          
                                                                                                      3 \7/16\       8-01                               
                                                                                                                     8-08       12                      
                                                                                                                                10   3 \5/16\           
                                                                                                                                     3 \3/16\       8-15
Bernecker.......................................       7-18       18   3 \6/16\       8-01       16   3 \5/16\       8-15       14   3 \4/16\       8-29
Miguel (P)......................................       7-18       22  3 \13/16\       8-01       20  3 \12/16\       8-15       18  3 \10/16\       8-29
Nesbitt.........................................       7-18       22  3 \12/16\       8-01       16   3 \5/16\       8-08       14   3 \3/16\       8-22
Tonnage.........................................       8-01       16   3 \6/16\       8-15       14   3 \4/16\       8-22       12   3 \0/16\       8-29
Waldin..........................................       8-01       16   3 \9/16\       8-15       14   3 \7/16\       8-29       12   3 \4/16\       9-12
Tower...........................................       8-01       14   3 \6/16\       8-15       12   3 \4/16\  .........  .......  .........       9-05
Beta............................................       8-08       18   3 \8/16\       8-15       16   3 \5/16\  .........  .......  .........       9-05
Lisa (P)........................................       8-08       12   3 \2/16\       8-15       11   3 \0/16\  .........  .......  .........       8-22
Black Prince....................................       8-15       28   4 \1/16\       8-29       23  3 \14/16\       9-12       16   3 \9/16\      10-03
Loretta.........................................       8-22       30   4 \3/16\       9-05       26  3 \15/16\  .........  .......  .........       9-26
Booth 8.........................................       8-29       16   3 \9/16\       9-12       14   3 \6/16\       9-26                               
                                                                                                                    10-10       12                      
                                                                                                                                10   3 \3/16\           
                                                                                                                                     3 \1/16\      10-24
Booth 7.........................................       8-29       18  3 \13/16\       9-12       16  3 \10/16\       9-26       14   3 \8/16\      10-10
Booth 5.........................................       9-05       14   3 \9/16\       9-19       12   3 \6/16\  .........  .......  .........      10-03
Choquette.......................................       9-26       28   4 \4/16\      10-17       24   4 \1/16\      10-31       20  3 \14/16\      11-14
Hall............................................       9-26       26  3 \14/16\      10-10       20   3 \9/16\      10-24       18   3 \8/16\      11-07
Lula............................................      10-03       18  3 \11/16\      10-10       14   3 \6/16\      10-31       12   3 \3/16\      11-14
Monroe..........................................      11-07       26   4 \3/16\      11-21       24   4 \1/16\      12-05                               
                                                                                                                    12-19       20                      
                                                                                                                                16  3 \14/16\           
                                                                                                                                     3 \9/16\       1-02
Arue............................................       5-16       16  .........       5-30       14   3 \3/16\  .........  .......  .........       7-04
Donnie..........................................       5-23       16   3 \5/16\       6-06       14   3 \4/16\  .........  .......  .........       7-04
Fuchs...........................................       6-06       14   3 \3/16\       6-20       12   3 \0/16\  .........  .......  .........       7-04
K-5.............................................       6-13       18   3 \5/16\       6-27       14   3 \3/16\  .........  .......  .........       7-11
West Indian Seedling\1\.........................       6-20       18  .........       7-18       16  .........       8-22       14  .........       9-19
Gorham..........................................       7-04       29   4 \5/16\       7-18       27   4 \3/16\  .........  .......  .........       8-15
Biondo..........................................       7-11       13  .........  .........  .......  .........  .........  .......  .........       8-15
Petersen........................................       7-11       14   3 \8/16\       7-18       12   3 \5/16\       7-25       10   3 \2/16\       8-08
232.............................................       7-18       14  .........       8-01       12  .........  .........  .......  .........       8-15
Pinelli.........................................       7-18       18  3 \12/16\       8-01       16  3 \10/16\  .........  .......  .........       8-15
Trapp...........................................       7-18       14  3 \10/16\       8-01       12   3 \7/16\  .........  .......  .........       8-15
K-9.............................................       8-01       16  .........  .........  .......  .........  .........  .......  .........       8-22
Christina.......................................       8-01       11  2 \14/16\  .........  .......  .........  .........  .......  .........       8-22
Catalina........................................       8-15       24  .........       8-29       22  .........  .........  .......  .........       9-19
Blair...........................................       8-29       16   3 \8/16\       9-12       14   3 \5/16\  .........  .......  .........      10-03
Guatemalan Seedling\2\..........................       9-05       15  .........      10-03       13  .........  .........  .......  .........      12-05
Marcus..........................................       9-05       32  4 \12/16\       9-19       24   4 \5/16\  .........  .......  .........      10-31
Brooks 1978.....................................       9-05       12   3 \4/16\       9-12       10   3 \1/16\       9-19        8  2 \14/16\      10-10
Rue.............................................       9-12       30   4 \3/16\       9-19       24  3 \15/16\      10-03       18   3 \9/16\      10-17
Collinson.......................................       9-12       16  3 \10/16\  .........  .......  .........  .........  .......  .........      10-10
Hickson.........................................       9-12       12   3 \1/16\       9-26       10   3 \0/16\  .........  .......  .........      10-10
Simpson.........................................       9-19       16   3 \9/16\  .........  .......  .........  .........  .......  .........      10-10
Chica...........................................       9-19       12   3 \7/16\      10-03       10   3 \4/16\  .........  .......  .........      10-17
Leona...........................................       9-26       18  3 \10/16\  .........  .......  .........  .........  .......  .........      10-10
Herman..........................................      10-03       16   3 \9/16\      10-17       14   3 \6/16\  .........  .......  .........      10-31
Pinkerton (CP)..................................      10-03       13   3 \3/16\      10-17       11   3 \0/16\      10-31        9  .........      11-14
Taylor..........................................      10-10       14   3 \5/16\      10-24       12   3 \2/16\  .........  .......  .........      11-07
Ajax (B-7)......................................      10-10       18  3 \14/16\  .........  .......  .........  .........  .......  .........      10-31
Booth 3.........................................      10-10       16   3 \8/16\      10-17       14   3 \6/16\  .........  .......  .........      10-31
Booth 1.........................................      11-14       16  3 \12/16\      11-28       12   3 \6/16\  .........  .......  .........      12-12
Zio (P).........................................      11-14       12   3 \1/16\      11-28       10  2 \14/16\  .........  .......  .........      12-12
Gossman.........................................      11-28       11   3 \1/16\  .........  .......  .........  .........  .......  .........      12-26
Brookslate......................................      12-05       18  3 \13/16\      12-12                                                              
                                                                                     12-19       16                                                     
                                                                                                 14  3 \10/16\                                          
                                                                                                      3 \8/16\       1-02                               
                                                                                                                     1-16       12                      
                                                                                                                                10   3 \5/16\       1-30
Meya (P)........................................      12-12       13   3 \2/16\      12-26       11   3 \0/16\                                      1-09
Reed (CP).......................................      12-12       12   3 \4/16\      12-26       10   3 \3/16\       1-09        9   3 \0/16\      1-23 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Avocados of the West Indian type varieties and seedlings not listed elsewhere in Table 1.                                                            
\2\Avocados of the Guatemalan type varieties and seedlings, hybrid varieties and seedlings, and unidentified seedlings not listed elsewhere in Table I. 

    (b) The term diameter means the greatest dimension measured at a 
right angle to a straight line from the stem to the blossom end of the 
fruit.
    (c) The term importation means release from custody of the United 
States Customs Service. The term commercial processing into products 
means the manufacture of avocado product which is preserved by any 
recognized commercial process, including canning, freezing, 
dehydrating, drying, the addition of chemical substances, or by 
fermentation.
    (d) Any person may import up to 55 pounds of avocados exempt from 
the requirements specified in this section.
    (e) The Federal or Federal-State Inspection Service, Fruit and 
Vegetable Division, Agricultural Marketing Service, United States 
Department of Agriculture, is designated as the governmental inspection 
service for certifying the grade, size, quality, and maturity of 
avocados imported into the United States. Inspection by the Federal or 
Federal-State Inspection Service with evidence thereof in the form of 
an official inspection certificate, issued by the respective service, 
applicable to the particular shipment of avocados, is required on all 
such imports. The inspection and certification services will be 
available upon application in accordance with the Regulations Governing 
Inspection, Certification and Standards of Fresh Fruits, Vegetables, 
and Other Products (7 CFR part 51), and in accordance with the 
regulation designating inspection services and procedure for obtaining 
inspection and certification (7 CFR 944.400).
    (f) Any avocados which fail to meet the import requirements prior 
to or after reconditioning and which are not being imported for 
purposes of consumption by charitable institutions, distribution by 
relief agencies, seed, or commercial processing into products may be 
reconditioned or exported, or disposed of under the supervision of the 
Federal or Federal-State Inspection Service with the costs of 
certifying the disposal of such avocados borne by the importer.
    (g) The size, weight, diameter, and color maturity requirements of 
this section shall not be applicable to avocados imported for 
consumption by charitable institutions, distribution by relief 
agencies, seed, or commercial processing into products, but shall be 
subject to the safeguard provisions contained in Sec. 944.350.

    Dated: June 9, 1994.
Eric M. Forman,
Deputy Director, Fruit and Vegetable Division.
[FR Doc. 94-14588 Filed 6-15-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P