[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 113 (Monday, June 13, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 34181-34186]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-14432]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 983

[Doc. No. AMS-FV-10-0099; FV11-983-1 PR]


Pistachios Grown in California, Arizona, and New Mexico; Proposed 
Amendments to Marketing Order

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: Four amendments to Marketing Agreement and Order No. 983, 
which regulates the handling of pistachios grown in California, 
Arizona, and New Mexico, were proposed by the Administrative Committee 
for Pistachios (Committee), which is responsible for local 
administration of the order. The proposed amendments would provide 
authority to establish aflatoxin and quality regulations for pistachios 
shipped to export markets, including authority to establish different 
regulations for different markets. The order currently provides 
authority for aflatoxin and quality regulations only for pistachios 
shipped to domestic markets. These proposed amendments are intended to 
provide authority to ensure uniform and consistent aflatoxin and 
quality regulations in the domestic and various export markets.

DATES: Comments must be received by July 13, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be submitted to the Docket Clerk, 
Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, 
AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., STOP 0237, Washington,

[[Page 34182]]

DC 20250-0237; Fax: (202) 720-8938; or Internet: http://www.regulations.gov. All comments should reference the document number 
and the date and page number of this issue of the Federal Register. All 
comments submitted in response to this proposed rule will be included 
in the record and will be made available for public inspection in the 
Office of the Docket Clerk during regular business hours, or can be 
viewed at: http://www.regulations.gov. Please be advised that the 
identity of the individuals or entities submitting the comments will be 
made public on the Internet at the address provided above.
    To the extent practicable, all documents filed with the Docket 
Clerk should also be submitted electronically to Martin Engeler at the 
email address noted for him in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
section.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Martin Engeler, Marketing Order 
Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA; 2202 
Monterey Street, Fresno, California, 93721; Telephone: (559)487-5110, 
Fax: (559) 487-5906, or Kathleen M. Finn, Marketing Order 
Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA; 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; 
Telephone: (202) 720-2491, Fax: (202) 720-8938, or E-mail: 
[email protected] or [email protected].
    Small businesses may request information on complying with this 
regulation by contacting Laurel May, Marketing Order Administration 
Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence 
Avenue SW., STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; Telephone: (202) 720-
2491, Fax: (202) 720-8938, or E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This proposal is issued under Marketing 
Agreement and Order No. 983, both as amended (7 CFR part 983), 
regulating the handling of pistachios produced in California, Arizona, 
and New Mexico, 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.'' The 
applicable rules of practice and procedure governing the formulation of 
marketing agreements and orders (7 CFR part 900) authorize amendment of 
the order through this informal rulemaking action. A producer 
referendum may be held in the future to determine support for the 
proposed order amendments, if deemed appropriate.
    The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing this rule in 
conformance with Executive Order 12866.
    This proposal has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil 
Justice Reform. This rule is not intended to have retroactive effect.
    The Act provides that administrative proceedings must be exhausted 
before parties may file suit in court. Under section 608c(15)(A) of the 
Act, any handler subject to an order may file with USDA 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 
request 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, USDA 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 to review USDA's ruling on the petition, 
provided an action is filed not later than 20 days after the date of 
the entry of the ruling.
    Section 1504 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 
(2008 Farm Bill) (Pub. L. 110-246) made changes to section 18c(17) of 
the Act, which in turn required the addition of supplemental rules of 
practice to 7 CFR part 900 (73 FR 49307; August, 21, 2008). The changes 
to section 18c(17) of the Act and additional supplemental rules of 
practice authorize the use of informal rulemaking (5 U.S.C. 553) to 
amend federal fruit, vegetable, and nut marketing agreements and orders 
if certain criteria are met.
    AMS has considered the nature and complexity of the proposed 
amendments, the potential regulatory and economic impacts on affected 
entities, and other relevant matters, and has determined that amending 
the order as proposed by the committee could appropriately be 
accomplished through informal rulemaking. AMS will analyze any comments 
received on the amendments proposed in this rule, and if warranted, 
will conduct a producer referendum to determine grower support for the 
proposed amendments. If appropriate, a final rule will then be issued 
to effectuate the amendments favored by producers participating in the 
referendum.
    The proposed amendments were unanimously recommended by the 
Committee following deliberations at a public meeting on July 9, 2010. 
The Committee's proposed amendments would: (1) Provide authority to 
establish aflatoxin sampling, analysis, and inspection requirements for 
shipments of pistachios to export markets, including authority to 
establish different regulations for different markets. (2) Provide 
authority to establish quality and inspection requirements for 
shipments of pistachios to export markets, including authority to 
establish different regulations for different markets. (3) Change a 
related section of the order concerning substandard pistachios to 
conform to the proposed addition of export authority. (4) Correct an 
erroneous cross-reference to another section of the order.

Proposal Number 1--Aflatoxin Regulation Authority

    Section 983.50 of the order provides authority to establish 
aflatoxin sampling, analysis, and inspection requirements applicable to 
pistachios shipped for domestic human consumption. Section 983.150 of 
the order's administrative rules and regulations establish such 
requirements. These regulations prohibit the shipment of pistachios for 
domestic human consumption unless they have been sampled and tested 
according to specific procedures and protocols, and certified that they 
do not contain traces of aflatoxin exceeding a tolerance level of 15 
parts per billion (ppb). The aflatoxin regulations under the order are 
intended to help assure consumers of a good quality product and to 
reduce the risk of potential aflatoxin contamination. While authority 
exists to establish aflatoxin regulations for domestic shipments of 
pistachios, no such authority exists under the order for export 
shipments. This proposed amendment would add authority to establish 
aflatoxin regulations for shipments of pistachios to export markets.
    When the order was promulgated in 2004, a State of California 
marketing agreement was in effect that provided aflatoxin testing and 
certification for export shipments to designated markets. Under that 
program, handlers tested and certified export shipments according to 
the methods and protocols acceptable to the export destination. Thus, 
the authority to regulate export shipments was not included in the 
order to avoid duplication. The State program served the needs of the 
industry for several years, but was terminated in 2010. Although 
handlers continue to test and certify product prior to shipping into 
export markets, there is currently no program in place to establish 
uniform and consistent procedures.
    The export market is becoming increasingly important to the U.S. 
pistachio industry to market its

[[Page 34183]]

continually increasing production. Pistachio acreage and production in 
the U.S. has been increasing steadily since the crop became 
commercially significant in the 1970's. This upward trend has continued 
since the order was promulgated, and is expected to continue into the 
foreseeable future. According to information reported by the Committee, 
in 2004 pistachio bearing acreage in California was 93,000 acres and 
non-bearing acreage was 24,733 acres, for a total of 117,773 acres. In 
2010, bearing acreage was 137,102 acres and non-bearing acreage was 
78,234, for a total of 215,336 acres. This represents an 83 percent 
increase in total acreage in just six years. The increased plantings 
are a response to the growing demand for U.S. pistachios, especially in 
export markets. A review of Committee shipment data indicates a 
substantial increase in shipments to export markets has occurred in 
recent years. Export shipments of open inshell pistachios increased 
from 95,761,666 pounds in the 2004-05 shipping season to 192,436,136 
pounds in the 2009-10 season. Exports represented approximately 63 
percent of total U.S. pistachio shipments during the 2009-10 season, 
underscoring the importance of the export market to the industry.
    In view of the new plantings of pistachios as represented by the 
non-bearing acreage data, it is readily apparent that the production of 
U.S. pistachios will increase significantly in coming years. Successful 
marketing of the crop in the future will be dependent not only on 
sustaining current markets, but increasing the global demand to absorb 
the increased production. In order to accomplish this, it is important 
to reduce the risk of an aflatoxin incident involving U.S. pistachios.
    In the mid-1990's, heightened consumer concern about aflatoxin 
occurred in Europe which resulted in a significant drop in pistachio 
consumption in those markets. Issues involving other commodities have 
also occurred in recent years, with adverse impacts. The pistachio 
industry thus believes it would be prudent to avail itself of an 
additional tool that could be used to reduce the risk of potential 
aflatoxin incidence in U.S. pistachios and the associated negative 
impacts.
    Although pistachios destined for export markets are currently being 
tested and certified based on the requirements in those markets and 
customer's needs, there is currently no program in place with 
government oversight to ensure all handlers are following specific 
established protocols and procedures. Adding authority to the order to 
allow issuance of rules and regulations for aflatoxin testing and 
certification for export shipments would provide a mechanism to 
establish uniform and consistent aflatoxin sampling, analysis, and 
inspection requirements for shipments of domestically produced 
pistachios to export markets. A program with consistent and uniform 
procedures, with Federal oversight, would help instill confidence with 
foreign customers and government officials that the U.S. pistachio 
industry is committed to providing a good quality product to its 
markets that match or exceed the standards of the importing country.
    The intent of the proposed amendments authorizing aflatoxin 
regulation for exports is to provide an additional tool under the order 
to aid in successful marketing of future crops.
    The various export markets to which pistachios are shipped often 
have different requirements, such as allowable aflatoxin tolerance 
levels. Thus, the Committee also recommended adding authority to the 
order to establish different aflatoxin regulations for different 
markets. The proposed amendment would therefore authorize different 
regulations for different markets.
    If the order is amended to include authority to establish aflatoxin 
regulations for shipments to export markets, specific regulations would 
need to be added to the order's rules and regulations through the 
informal rulemaking process. If the industry chooses to pursue such 
regulations, the Committee would meet to consider and analyze the 
available information in developing any recommendation to AMS. Any 
recommendation of the Committee concerning potential aflatoxin 
regulations would require a unanimous vote of 12 Committee members or 
alternate members acting in their stead according to the voting 
requirements in Sec.  983.43 of the order.
    For the reasons stated above, it is proposed that Sec.  983.50, 
Aflatoxin regulations, be amended to authorize the Committee, with 
approval of the Secretary, to establish aflatoxin sampling, analysis, 
and inspection requirements for pistachios to be shipped for human 
consumption in export markets. It is also proposed that Sec.  983.50 of 
the order be amended to authorize the Committee, with approval of the 
Secretary, to establish different aflatoxin requirements for different 
markets.

Proposal Number 2--Quality Regulation Authority

    Section 983.51 of the order provides authority for the Committee, 
with approval of the Secretary, to establish quality and inspection 
requirements for pistachios shipped for domestic human consumption. 
There are currently no such requirements in effect under the order.
    When the order was promulgated in 2004, specific requirements 
pertaining to quality levels were contained in the provisions of the 
order. These provisions were in effect from 2004 through 2007. In 
December 2007, the requirements were suspended because they were no 
longer meeting the industry's needs. In November 2009, the order was 
amended and the suspended quality requirements were removed from the 
order and replaced with broad authority for quality regulation. At that 
time, there was no desire by the industry to reinstate the specific 
quality regulations previously in effect or any intent to recommend any 
form of quality regulation. However, the industry desired to retain 
authority to implement some form of quality regulation in the future if 
circumstances warrant. Informal rulemaking would be required to 
reinstate quality regulations.
    Applying similar logic, the Committee recommended at its July 2010 
meeting to amend the broad quality authority under the order to include 
the authority to establish requirements for export shipments, in 
addition to domestic shipments. No quality regulations are currently 
being contemplated by the industry; however, the Committee believes it 
would be prudent to expand the current authority for quality 
regulations to include export shipments. Adding broad authority for 
quality regulations for exports would provide flexibility in the order 
by increasing the industry's ability to respond to quality issues 
related to exports, if they arise. Exports are becoming an increasingly 
important market for the industry and currently account for nearly two-
thirds of domestically produced pistachios.
    The Committee also recommended adding authority to the order to 
establish different quality requirements for different markets. Similar 
to the discussion under Proposal Number 1, different markets to which 
pistachios are shipped may have different quality requirements or 
concerns. The proposed amendment would therefore authorize different 
quality regulations for different markets. This would provide 
additional flexibility to the order to address different market needs.
    If the order is amended to include authority to establish quality 
regulations for shipments to export markets, specific regulations would 
need to be added to the order's rules and regulations through the 
informal

[[Page 34184]]

rulemaking process. If the industry chooses to pursue such regulations, 
the Committee would meet to consider and analyze the available 
information in developing a recommendation to AMS. Any recommendation 
of the Committee concerning potential quality regulations would require 
a unanimous vote of 12 Committee members or alternate members acting in 
their stead according to the voting requirements in Sec.  983.43 of the 
order.
    For the reasons stated above, it is proposed that Sec.  983.51, 
Quality regulations, be amended to authorize the Committee, with 
approval of the Secretary, to establish quality and inspection 
requirements for pistachios to be shipped for human consumption in 
export markets. It is also proposed that Sec.  983.51 of the order be 
amended to authorize the Committee, with approval of the Secretary, to 
establish different quality requirements for different markets.

Proposal Number 3--Conforming Change

    Section 983.57 of the order provides authority to establish 
reporting and disposition procedures for pistachios that do not meet 
aflatoxin or quality requirements (substandard product) to ensure they 
are not shipped for domestic human consumption. Since the order 
currently authorizes regulation of the domestic market only, Sec.  
983.57 does not reference the utilization of reporting and disposition 
procedures to ensure that substandard pistachios are not shipped to 
other markets besides the domestic market. Therefore, if Proposal 
Numbers 1 and 2 are adopted to include authority to regulate other 
markets, a conforming change should be made to Sec.  983.57 to 
reference the utilization of reporting and disposition procedures to 
ensure substandard pistachios are not shipped to any market for which 
regulations exist.
    It is therefore proposed that Sec.  983.57, Substandard pistachios, 
be amended to authorize reporting and disposition procedures for 
substandard pistachios to ensure they are not shipped for human 
consumption in any market for which aflatoxin and/or quality 
requirements exist pursuant to Sec.  983.50 and/or Sec.  983.51.

Proposal Number 4--Correction

    Section 983.53 of the order pertains to aflatoxin testing of 
minimal quantities of pistachios and provides, in part, that lots of 
pistachios exceeding the maximum tolerance level for aflatoxin may be 
tested again after being reworked as specified in Sec.  983.50. The 
reference to Sec.  983.50 is incorrect. The correct section, which 
pertains to rework procedures, is Sec.  983.52. This proposed amendment 
recommended by the Committee would correct the erroneous reference.
    It is therefore proposed to amend Sec.  983.53 by removing the 
reference to Sec.  983.50 in paragraph (a) (2) and replacing it with 
the correct reference to Sec.  983.52.

Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

    Pursuant to requirements set forth in the Regulatory Flexibility 
Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601-612), the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) 
has considered the economic impact of this action on small entities. 
Accordingly, AMS has prepared this initial regulatory flexibility 
analysis.
    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.
    There are approximately 850 producers and 29 handlers of pistachios 
in the production area encompassing California, Arizona, and New 
Mexico. The Small Business Administration (SBA) (13 CFR 121.201) 
defines small agricultural producers as those having annual receipts of 
less than $750,000, and small agricultural service firms are defined as 
those having annual receipts of less than $7,000,000.
    Based on Committee data, it is estimated that over 70 percent of 
the handlers ship less than $7,000,000 worth of pistachios and would 
thus be considered small business under the SBA definition. It is also 
estimated that over 80 percent of the growers in the production area 
produce less than $750,000 worth of pistachios and would thus be 
considered small businesses under the SBA definition.
    The amendments proposed by the Committee would provide authority to 
establish aflatoxin sampling, analysis, and inspection requirements for 
shipments of pistachios to export markets, including authority to 
establish different regulations for different markets; provide 
authority to establish quality and inspection requirements for 
shipments of pistachios to export markets, including authority to 
establish different regulations for different markets; change a related 
section of the order concerning substandard pistachios to conform to 
the proposed addition of export authority; and correct an erroneous 
cross-reference to another section of the order.
    These proposed amendments were unanimously recommended at a public 
meeting of the Committee held on July 10, 2010. None of the proposed 
amendments would have an immediate impact on handlers or producers if 
they are approved because they would not establish any requirements or 
regulations on handlers. However, the proposed amendments that would 
add authority to the order to regulate exports could impact growers and 
handlers in the industry if the authority is implemented. Therefore, 
the potential costs that may be associated with future regulation of 
exports is discussed below. In the event implementing regulations are 
subsequently recommended by the Committee if the proposed amendments 
are approved, additional analysis of the potential costs and benefits 
would be conducted as part of the informal rulemaking process.
    Under Sec.  983.50 of the order and Sec.  983.150 of the 
administrative rules and regulations, sampling, analysis, and 
inspection of pistachios for aflatoxin is required prior to shipment to 
domestic markets. Specific procedures and requirements for handlers to 
follow are prescribed. It is anticipated that any requirements 
recommended for export shipments would be similar to those in effect 
for domestic shipments. Thus, the associated costs would be similar.
    The costs of complying with aflatoxin regulations can be broken 
into three basic elements: Sampling of the product, the market value of 
the product samples that are used in testing, and the cost of the 
aflatoxin analysis performed by laboratories. These costs can vary 
among handlers depending on their particular operations. In recognition 
of this, the Committee provided estimates of the various cost elements 
for purposes of this discussion.
    The cost of drawing samples from lots is estimated to range from 
$50.00 to $75.00 per lot. The variation in this cost can be attributed 
to factors such as the type of inspection program utilized by handlers. 
For purposes of this evaluation a cost factor of $70.00 per lot is 
utilized. The cost of the product used in sampling and testing varies 
depending upon the market price for pistachios. For purposes of this 
evaluation a value of $3.00 per pound as estimated by the Committee is 
utilized. At $3.00 per pound and a 44-pound sample, the cost of product 
used in sampling is $132.00 per lot. Laboratory costs for analyzing 
aflatoxin content are estimated to be $100.00 per test; with two tests 
per lot, the cost is $200.00 per lot.

[[Page 34185]]

    Pistachio lots tested for aflatoxin can vary in size, but for 
purposes of this evaluation, a lot size of 50,000 pounds is used as 
that is a reasonable representative size for a typical handler 
operation. Applying the above cost estimates to a lot size of 50,000 
pounds results in the following cost estimates on a per pound basis:
    1. Sampling cost: $0.0014 per pound ($70.00 per lot divided by 
50,000 pounds).
    2. Value of product used in sampling: $0.0026 per pound ($132.00 
per lot divided by 50,000 pounds).
    3. Analytical cost of aflatoxin testing: $0.0040 per pound ($200 
per sample divided by 50,000 pounds).
    This results in a total estimated per pound cost of $0.0060 
($0.0014 + $0.0026 + $0.0040), or 0.8 cents per pound.
    When compared to the market price for pistachios, the direct costs 
associated with an aflatoxin program are proportionately small. 
Utilizing a market price of $3.00 per pound as used in the above cost 
estimates, the costs of aflatoxin sampling and testing represent 0.27 
percent of the market price. Even if the market price for pistachios 
was $1.00 per pound, the aflatoxin sampling and testing costs would be 
well below one percent of the price.
    Most handlers who shipped pistachios to export markets in the past 
were signatories to a state marketing agreement that required aflatoxin 
sampling and analysis. That program was terminated in 2010. Since then, 
most handlers reportedly conduct aflatoxin testing and certification on 
export shipments to satisfy the requirements of the various markets. 
Therefore, the costs discussed above are already being borne by 
handlers.
    While difficult to quantify, one of the primary benefits of an 
aflatoxin program is the reduced risk of a potential food incident. For 
example, in the late 1990s, high aflatoxin levels were detected in 
pistachios in European markets. This led to a 60 percent decrease in 
pistachio imports in Europe, and it took several years for the market 
to return to more normal levels. The U.S was not dominant in the 
European market at that time, but in recent years, Europe has become an 
increasingly significant market for U.S. pistachios. Regardless of the 
location of the market, this example demonstrates the devastating 
effect a food quality or food safety issue can have on the marketing of 
a product.
    Another benefit of an aflatoxin testing program is the resulting 
reduction in the incidence of rejected shipments at their destination. 
Many countries test product prior to allowing its importation. Product 
that does not meet the importing country's standards can be rejected 
and returned to the shipper. It is estimated that the cost of handling 
or returning a rejected lot is between $12,000 and $15,000 per lot. 
Product that has been tested prior to shipment based on the 
requirements of its market destination is less likely to be rejected 
and would not incur the associated costs.
    Avoiding a disruption in the marketing of pistachios in export 
markets is important in maintaining the viability of the industry. 
Shipments of open inshell pistachios increased dramatically in recent 
years; from 95,761,666 pounds in the 2004-05 shipping season to 
192,436,136 pounds in the 2009-10 season, according to Committee data. 
Exports represented approximately 63 percent of total U.S. pistachio 
shipments during the 2009-10 season. According to statistics reported 
by the Committee, total acreage increased from 117,773 acres in 2004 to 
215,336 acres in 2010, representing an 83 percent increase. Much of 
this acreage is non-bearing and will come into production in the near 
future. These statistics demonstrate that domestic production of 
pistachios will continue to increase in the future, and export markets 
must be maintained to accommodate the increased supplies.
    Expanding order authority to include establishing aflatoxin 
requirements applicable to export shipments will provide an additional 
tool to aid in the marketing of pistachios covered under the order. In 
the event the authority is implemented, the potential costs associated 
with a mandatory aflatoxin program for exports are expected to be more 
than offset by the potential benefits discussed above.
    An analysis of the potential costs of adding authority to the order 
to establish quality regulations is not possible because no quality 
regulations are currently in effect under the order, and none are being 
contemplated. Quality regulations were in effect for domestic shipments 
from 2004 through 2007, but were suspended because they were no longer 
meeting the industry's needs. However, the order still contains broad 
authority for domestic quality regulations and the industry may desire 
to reinstate them if circumstances warrant. As a result of the 
increasing importance of the export market as demonstrated above, the 
Committee recommended adding authority to the order for quality 
regulation for export shipments in the event circumstances in the 
future warrant their implementation.
    If such authority is added to the order, a unanimous action of the 
Committee would be required to recommend the establishment of any 
export quality regulations. In addition, informal rulemaking would be 
required for implementation, and an analysis of the potential costs and 
benefits would be conducted during that process.
    The remaining proposed amendments are administrative in nature and 
would have no economic impact on growers or handlers. One of the 
proposed amendments would add conforming language to another section of 
the order if other amendments are approved, and another proposed 
amendment would correct an incorrect section reference in the order.
    Alternatives to these proposals include making no changes at this 
time. However, the Committee believes it would be beneficial to have 
the means necessary to apply regulations to the export markets if 
circumstances warrant.
    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
Chapter 35), the order's information collection requirements have been 
previously approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and 
assigned OMB No. 0581-0215, ``Pistachios Grown in California''. No 
changes in those requirements as a result of this proceeding are 
anticipated. Should any changes become necessary, they would be 
submitted to OMB for approval.
    As with all Federal marketing order programs, reports and forms are 
periodically reviewed to reduce information requirements and 
duplication by industry and public sector agencies.
    In addition, USDA has not identified any relevant Federal rules 
that duplicate, overlap, or conflict with this rule.
    AMS is committed to complying with the E-Government Act, to promote 
the use of the Internet and other information technologies to provide 
increased opportunities for citizen access to Government information 
and services, and for other purposes.
    The Committee's meeting, at which these proposals were discussed, 
was widely publicized throughout the pistachio industry. All interested 
persons were invited to attend the meeting and encouraged to 
participate in Committee deliberations on all issues. Like all 
Committee meetings, the meeting was public, and all entities, both 
large and small, were encouraged to express their views on these 
proposals.
    Finally, interested persons are invited to submit comments on the 
proposed amendments to the order, including

[[Page 34186]]

comments on the regulatory and informational impacts of this action on 
small businesses.
    Following analysis of any comments received on the amendments 
proposed in this rule, AMS will determine whether to proceed, and if 
so, would conduct a producer referendum. Information about the 
referendum, including dates and voter eligibility requirements, would 
be published in a future issue of the Federal Register. If appropriate, 
a final rule would then be issued to effectuate the amendments favored 
by producers participating in the referendum.
    A small business guide on complying with fruit, vegetable, and 
specialty crop marketing agreements and orders may be viewed at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/MarketingOrdersSmallBusinessGuide. Any questions 
about the compliance guide should be sent to Antoinette Carter at the 
previously mentioned address in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
section.

General Findings

    The findings hereinafter set forth are supplementary to the 
findings and determinations which were previously made in connection 
with the issuance of the marketing agreement and order; and all said 
previous findings and determinations are hereby ratified and affirmed, 
except insofar as such findings and determinations may be in conflict 
with the findings and determinations set forth herein.
    1. The marketing agreement and order, as amended, and as hereby 
proposed to be further amended, and all of the terms and conditions 
thereof, would tend to effectuate the declared policy of the Act;
    2. The marketing agreement and order, as amended, and as hereby 
proposed to be further amended, regulate the handling of pistachios 
grown in California, Arizona, and New Mexico in the same manner as, and 
are applicable only to, persons in the respective classes of commercial 
and industrial activity specified in the marketing agreement and order;
    3. The marketing agreement and order, as amended, and as hereby 
proposed to be further amended, are limited in application to the 
smallest regional production area which is practicable, consistent with 
carrying out the declared policy of the Act, and the issuance of 
several orders applicable to subdivisions of the production area would 
not effectively carry out the declared policy of the Act;
    4. The marketing agreement and order, as amended, and as hereby 
proposed to be further amended, prescribe, insofar as practicable, such 
different terms applicable to different parts of the production area as 
are necessary to give due recognition to the differences in the 
production and marketing of pistachios produced or packed in the 
production area; and
    5. All handling of pistachios produced or packed in the production 
area as defined in the marketing agreement and order is in the current 
of interstate or foreign commerce or directly burdens, obstructs, or 
affects such commerce.
    A 30-day comment period is provided to allow interested persons to 
respond to these proposals. Thirty days is deemed appropriate because 
the proposed changes have been widely publicized, and implementation of 
the changes, if adopted, would be desirable to benefit the industry as 
soon as possible. Any comments received on the amendments proposed in 
this rule will be analyzed, and if warranted, a producer referendum 
will be conducted to determine grower support for the proposed 
amendments. If appropriate, a final rule will then be issued to 
effectuate the amendments favored by producers participating in the 
referendum.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 983

    Marketing agreements, Pistachios, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 7 CFR part 983 is 
proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 983--PISTACHIOS GROWN IN CALIFORNIA, ARIZONA, AND NEW MEXICO

    1. The authority citation for 7 CFR part 983 continues to read as 
follows:

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

    2. Revise Sec.  983.50 to read as follows:


Sec.  983.50  Aflatoxin regulations.

    The committee shall establish, with the approval of the Secretary, 
such aflatoxin sampling, analysis, and inspection requirements 
applicable to pistachios to be shipped for domestic human consumption 
as will contribute to orderly marketing or be in the public interest. 
The committee may also establish, with the approval of the Secretary, 
such requirements for pistachios to be shipped for human consumption in 
export markets. No handler shall ship, for human consumption in 
domestic, or if applicable, export markets, pistachios that exceed an 
aflatoxin level established by the committee and approved by the 
Secretary. All shipments to markets for which requirements have been 
established must be covered by an aflatoxin inspection certificate. The 
committee may, with the approval of the Secretary, establish different 
sampling, analysis, and inspection requirements, and different 
aflatoxin level requirements, for different markets.
    3. Revise Sec.  983.51 to read as follows:


Sec.  983.51  Quality regulations.

    For any production year, the committee may establish, with the 
approval of the Secretary, such quality and inspection requirements 
applicable to pistachios shipped for human consumption in domestic or 
export markets as will contribute to orderly marketing or be in the 
public interest. In such production year, no handler shall ship 
pistachios for human consumption in domestic, or if applicable, export 
markets unless they meet the applicable requirements as evidenced by 
certification acceptable to the committee. The committee may, with the 
approval of the Secretary, establish different quality and inspection 
requirements for different markets.


Sec.  983.53  [Amended]

    4. Amend Sec.  983.53 by removing the reference to ``Sec.  983.50'' 
and adding in its place ``Sec.  983.52'' in paragraph (a)(2).
    5. Revise Sec.  983.57 to read as follows:


Sec.  983.57  Substandard pistachios.

    The committee shall, with the approval of the Secretary, establish 
such reporting and disposition procedures as it deems necessary to 
ensure that pistachios which do not meet aflatoxin and quality 
requirements are not shipped for human consumption in those markets for 
which such requirements exist pursuant to Sec.  983.50 and Sec.  
983.51.

    Dated: June 5, 2011.
Ellen King,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-14432 Filed 6-10-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P