[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 30 (Monday, February 14, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8139-8143]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-03110]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents.
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 30 / Monday, February 14, 2022 /
Rules and Regulations
[[Page 8139]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
7 CFR Parts 915 and 944
[Doc. No. AMS-SC-20-0082; SC20-915-2 FR]
Avocados Grown in South Florida and Imported Avocados; Change in
Maturity Requirements
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
(USDA).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This rule changes the maturity requirements currently
prescribed under the Florida avocado marketing order. The marketing
order regulates the handling of avocados grown in South Florida and is
administered locally by the Avocado Administrative Committee
(Committee). This change establishes beginning and end dates for the
annual maturity shipping schedule. A corresponding change will be made
to the avocado import regulation as required under section 8e of the
Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937.
DATES: Effective March 16, 2022.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Abigail Campos, Marketing Specialist,
or Christian D. Nissen, Regional Director, Southeast Region Branch,
Market Development Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA;
Telephone: (863) 324-3375, Fax: (863) 291-8614, or Email:
[email protected] or [email protected].
Small businesses may request information on complying with this
regulation by contacting Richard Lower, Marketing Development Division,
Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP
0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; Telephone: (202) 720-2491, or Email:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This action, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553,
amends regulations issued to carry out a marketing order as defined in
7 CFR 900.2(j). This rule is issued under Marketing Agreement No. 121
and Marketing Order No. 915, both as amended (7 CFR part 915),
regulating the handling of avocados grown in South Florida. Part 915
(referred to as 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 Committee locally
administers the Order and is comprised of growers and handlers of
avocados operating within the production area, and a public member.
This rule is also issued under section 8e of the Act (7 U.S.C.
608e-1), which provides that whenever certain specified commodities,
including avocados, are regulated under a Federal marketing order,
imports of these commodities into the United States are prohibited
unless they meet the same or comparable grade, size, quality, or
maturity requirements as those in effect for domestically produced
commodities.
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing this rule in
conformance with Executive Orders 12866 and 13563. Executive Orders
12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess all costs and benefits of
available regulatory alternatives and, if regulation is necessary, to
select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits (including
potential economic, environmental, public health and safety effects,
distributive impacts, and equity). Executive Order 13563 emphasizes the
importance of quantifying both costs and benefits, reducing costs,
harmonizing rules, and promoting flexibility. This action falls within
a category of regulatory actions that the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) exempted from Executive Order 12866 review.
This rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 13175--
Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments, which
requires agencies to consider whether their rulemaking actions would
have tribal implications. In accordance with Executive Order 13175, the
Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has not identified any tribal
implications because of this rule.
This rule 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 (7 U.S.C. 608c(15)(A)), 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. Such 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 no later than 20
days after the date of the entry of the ruling (7 U.S.C. 608c(15)(B)).
There are no administrative procedures that must be exhausted prior
to any judicial challenge to the provisions of import regulations
issued under section 8e of the Act.
This final rule changes the maturity requirements under the Order.
This action establishes April 16 to April 15 of the following year as
the beginning and end dates for the annual maturity shipping schedule,
with an exception for the requirements listed under Guatemalan
seedling, which would run from June 9 to June 8 of the following year.
This final rule provides clarity regarding the schedule and dates in
effect, assists with compliance to help ensure a quality product
reaches consumers, and reflects current industry practices. These
changes were unanimously recommended by the Committee at its October
14, 2020, meeting.
Section 915.51 of the Order provides, in part, authority to
establish maturity requirements under the Order. Section 915.52 of the
Order provides authority for the modification, suspension, or
termination of established regulations. Section 915.332 of the Order's
rules and regulations establishes the maturity requirements for
avocados grown in Florida. These requirements are specified in Table I
of Sec. 915.332(a) and establish minimum weights and diameters to
delineate specific shipping
[[Page 8140]]
time frames for avocados shipped under the Order. Maturity requirements
for avocados imported into the United States are currently in effect
under Sec. 944.31.
The maturity regulations are designed to prevent the shipment of
immature avocados, and include the annual shipping schedule to help
ensure only mature fruit reaches the market. Avocado varieties mature
at different times, and varieties can vary considerably in terms of
size and weight. Consequently, the schedule establishes shipping dates
and maturity requirements by variety. Varieties not specifically listed
on the schedule are covered by the requirements for West Indian
seedling or Guatemalan seedling. These maturity dates and requirements
are established based on a testing procedure developed by USDA.
The shipping schedule in Table I specifies the individual maturity
requirements for the numerous avocado varieties shipped each season. As
larger fruit within a variety matures earliest, the schedule makes the
larger sized fruit available for market first followed by later dates
to incrementally release smaller sizes for shipment as they mature. As
such, the maturity requirements for a variety are usually divided into
A, B, C, and D dates, which are associated with specific weights and
sizes reflecting when a particular variety matures.
Avocados may not be handled until the earliest date, the A date,
specified for that variety on the shipping schedule so only the
largest, most mature fruits are available for market for each variety
early in its season. The final date, the D date, for each variety
correlates to the end of its season when all fruits of that variety
should be mature and releases all remaining sizes and weights for
shipment.
While the maturity schedule includes dates and maturity
requirements for individual varieties, the regulations do not specify
beginning and end dates for the annual maturity schedule itself. In the
past, there was a gap in shipments in April, which created a natural
break from one season's schedule to the next, with the first varieties
appearing on the maturity schedule in May. This break served as the
indicator of where the requirements of one annual schedule ended, and
the new annual schedule began.
Such a differentiation between schedules is important as it
clarifies which schedule is in place, so handlers know which maturity
requirements need to be met. Specifically, this demarcation makes it
clear the D dates for one schedule do not stretch to the A dates of the
new schedule. Such a delineation between schedules provides a gap
between the D dates and the A dates for the next season. This helps to
ensure avocados are not shipped early to take advantage of the relaxed
maturity requirements of the D-date, which could result in the shipment
of immature fruit, and would circumvent the requirement that avocados
may not be handled prior to the earliest date specified by the A date
for that variety.
However, with the development of late-season varieties, there has
been an increase in shipments under the Guatemalan seedling category in
March, April, and May. Consequently, there is no longer a break in
shipments between annual schedules, which has created an overlap from
one annual schedule to the next. With this overlap, questions have
arisen regarding the schedule, and when one annual schedule ends and
another begins.
In discussing this issue, the Committee supported establishing
beginning and end dates for the maturity schedule to address the
overlap, and to address questions regarding which maturity schedule and
dates were in effect. The Committee believes doing so will provide
clarity regarding the schedule and assist with any compliance issues
related to the dates established.
The Committee agreed that using an end date of April 15 for the
shipping schedule, with an exception for avocados handled under the
Guatemalan seedling category, would be appropriate. This date reflects
the break in schedules the industry has used to delineate one schedule
from the next, and it remains applicable for all listings on the
shipping schedule apart from the Guatemalan seedling.
For most avocados covered under the schedule, the normal harvest
cycle, from the A date when the harvest of a particular variety begins
to when all fruit of that variety has been picked, is around three
months. The last A date listed on the schedule for a specific variety
is for the Monday nearest December 12, with a D date of the following
Monday nearest January 23. Using these dates, April 15 will provide
more than enough time to harvest and ship those varieties listed on the
schedule, other than Guatemalan seedling.
While the A date for the ``Guatemalan Seedling'' appears on the
maturity schedule in September, the listing provides the maturity
requirements for avocados of the Guatemalan type varieties and
seedlings, as well as hybrid varieties and seedlings, and unidentified
seedlings not listed elsewhere in Table I. Consequently, the
requirements for the Guatemalan seedling cover numerous varieties with
shipments extending into March, April, and May for some of the
varieties in this category.
Recognizing the shipments under the Guatemalan seedling and related
varieties and seedlings do not conform to the same seasonal schedule as
the other varieties listed on the maturity schedule, the Committee
considered alternative dates for the beginning and end dates for the
maturity requirements for those varieties covered under this category.
In discussing dates for the Guatemalan seedling, Committee members were
concerned about establishing an end date that was beyond the proper
maturity timeframe for this fruit, which could allow inferior fruit to
enter the market.
Avocados mature on the tree and start the ripening process as they
are picked. Avocados can be held on the tree to delay shipments or to
lengthen the harvest period. However, if they remain on the tree too
long, they will pass their optimal maturity. This can negatively impact
the quality of the fruit resulting in fruit that is overmature or
overripe.
In past seasons, the industry had been considering June 30 as an
end date for the annual requirements for Guatemalan seedling. However,
Committee members agreed this date was too late in the season and could
result in poor quality fruit reaching the market, as some overripe
avocados had appeared at the wholesale level. Committee members believe
setting an end date earlier in the month will address the issues
related to overmature fruit, improving the quality of avocados entering
the market, and providing customers with a better product.
According to information from the Committee, avocados declared as
Guatemalan seedling have typically completed shipping before the first
week in June. Considering the timing of shipments, and to ensure
consumers are receiving a quality product, the Committee recommended
establishing an end date for the Guatemalan maturity requirements of
June 8.
With most shipments ending before the first week in June, a June 8
end date provides an additional week for handlers to ship any remaining
avocados covered by the Guatemalan seedling requirements. Also, by
having a clear end date defining where one schedule ends, and the new
schedule becomes applicable, handlers can adjust their shipping dates
accordingly to meet the requirements.
As a result, the Committee recommended establishing beginning
[[Page 8141]]
and end dates for the annual maturity shipping schedule of April 16 to
April 15 of the following year, with an exception for Guatemalan
seedling which extends from June 9 to June 8 of the following year. The
Committee believes establishing these dates will provide clarity
regarding the schedule, assist with compliance to help ensure a quality
product reaches consumers, and reflect current industry practices and
changes in the industry. This change only impacts the maturity
requirements under the Order and makes no change to the current grade
requirements.
Section 8e of the Act provides that when certain domestically
produced commodities, including avocados, are regulated under a Federal
marketing order, imports of that commodity must meet the same or
comparable grade, size, quality, and maturity requirements. Maturity
requirements for avocados imported into the United States are currently
in effect under Sec. 944.31. As this rule revises the maturity
requirements for Florida avocados by establishing beginning and end
dates for the annual maturity shipping schedule, a corresponding change
needs to be made to the import regulations.
Imports and importers will also benefit from these changes, which
establish beginning and end dates for the maturity requirements.
Clarifying the schedule and the requirements that are in place, thus
helping ensure customers are receiving a quality product is beneficial
for the entire industry, including imports.
The Hass, Fuerte, Zutano, and Edranol varieties of avocados
currently are exempt from the maturity regulations and continue to be
exempt under this final rule. However, these varieties are not exempt
from the import grade regulation, which is not being changed by this
action.
Final 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 final regulatory flexibility
analysis.
The purpose of the RFA is to fit regulatory actions to the scale of
businesses subject to such actions in order that small businesses will
not be unduly or disproportionately burdened. Marketing orders issued
pursuant to the Act, and the 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 325 producers of Florida avocados in the
production area and 25 handlers subject to regulation under the Order.
Small agricultural producers are defined by the Small Business
Administration (SBA) as those having annual receipts less than
$1,000,000, and small agricultural service firms are defined as those
whose annual receipts are less than $30,000,000 (13 CFR 121.201).
According to the National Agricultural Statistical Service (NASS),
the average grower price paid for Florida avocados during the 2020-21
season was $21.97 per 55-pound bushel. Utilized production was
equivalent to 624,364 55-pound bushels for a total value of over
$13,718,830. Dividing the crop value by the estimated number of
producers (325) yields an estimated average receipt per producer of
$42,212, so the average producer would have annual receipts of less
than $1,000,000, which is below the SBA threshold for small
agricultural producers. Therefore, Florida avocado producers are
considered small businesses.
USDA Market News reported April 2021 terminal market prices for
green skinned avocados were about $36.43 per 24-pound container. Using
this price and the total utilization, the total 2020-21 handler crop
value is estimated at $52.1 million. Dividing this figure by the number
of handlers (25) yields estimated average annual handler receipts of
$2.08 million, which is below the SBA threshold for small agricultural
service firms.
In 2020, the Dominican Republic, Peru, Mexico, and Colombia were
the major countries exporting avocado varieties other than Hass to the
United States. In 2020, shipments of these types of avocados imported
into the United States totaled around 29,630 metric tons. Of that
amount, 29,133 metric tons were imported from the Dominican Republic.
Information from USDA's Global Agricultural Trade System database
indicates the dollar value of these avocados to be approximately
$41,385,000. There are approximately 20 importers of green skin
avocadoes. Using the total value and the number of importers, the
average importer would have annual receipts of less than $30 million.
Based on these estimates, the majority of Florida avocado producers
and handlers, and importers, may be classified as small entities.
This rule changes the maturity requirements under the Order. This
action establishes April 16 to April 15 of the following year as the
beginning and end dates for the annual maturity shipping schedule, with
an exception for Guatemalan seedling which will run from June 9 to June
8 of the following year. This rule provides clarity regarding the
maturity schedule and dates in effect, assists with compliance to help
ensure a quality product reaches consumers, and reflects current
industry practices. This rule revises Sec. 915.332. Authority for this
change is provided in Sec. Sec. 915.51 and 915.52. This rule will also
change Sec. 944.31 in the avocado import regulation, as is required by
section 8e of the Act.
This action is not expected to increase the costs associated with
the Order's requirements or the avocado import regulation. Rather, it
is anticipated that this action will have a beneficial impact by
providing clarity regarding the maturity schedule and dates in effect,
assist with compliance, and help ensure a quality product reaches
consumers.
This change will provide clarity as to which schedule is in place,
so producers, handlers, and importers know which maturity requirements
need to be met. Establishing beginning and end dates for the maturity
requirements will clearly identify when the requirements of one annual
schedule end, and the new annual schedule begins. Further, having a
delineation between schedules assists with compliance by making it
clear that the D dates for one schedule do not stretch to the A date of
the new schedule. This will help ensure that immature avocados are not
shipped early using the previous season's D date to circumvent the
requirement that avocados may not be handled prior to the A date
specified for that variety.
For the Guatemalan seedling, establishing the beginning and end
dates for the annual maturity requirements should help prevent
shipments beyond the quality lifecycle of varieties covered under this
category. This change sets a clear date by which shipments under the D
date will end, assisting both with compliance and with fruit quality.
Absent this change, fruit could be shipped past its proper maturity
period, which could provide the consumer with an inferior product.
This change will not create any additional burdens for producers,
handlers, or importers. The April 15 end date reflects the break in
schedules the industry has used to delineate one schedule from the
next, and it remains applicable for all listings on the shipping
schedule, apart from the Guatemalan seedling. The April 15 end date
provides more than enough time to harvest and ship those varieties
listed on the schedule.
For those varieties covered under the Guatemalan seedling,
Committee data
[[Page 8142]]
indicates most shipments are completed before the first week in June.
This change provides an additional week beyond June 1 for handlers to
ship any remaining avocados covered by the Guatemalan seedling
requirements. Also, by establishing a clear end date, handlers can
adjust their shipping dates accordingly to meet the new requirements.
Establishing an end date of June 8 for maturity requirements for the
Guatemalan seedling will provide sufficient time for avocados to ship
under this designation, while helping prevent the shipment of
overmature fruit.
This final rule provides clarity regarding the maturity schedule
and dates in effect, assists with compliance to help ensure a quality
product reaches consumers, and reflects current industry practices. The
benefits of this rule are expected to be equally available to all fresh
avocado growers, handlers, and importers, regardless of their sizes of
operations.
One alternative to this action would be to maintain the current
maturity requirements without establishing end dates for the maturity
schedule. However, the Committee recognized that shipments have changed
over the years and wanted to provide clarity regarding the maturity
schedule. Another alternative considered was establishing an end date
for the requirements for Guatemalan seedling of June 30. In discussing
this date, Committee members expressed concern that this date was past
the proper maturity for this fruit and would allow inferior fruit to
enter the market. The Committee believes establishing the changes in
this rule, rather than the alternatives, would assist with compliance
and help ensure a quality product reaches consumers. Therefore, the
Committee rejected these alternatives.
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 OMB and assigned OMB No. 0581-0189, Fruit
Crops. No changes in those requirements are necessary as a result of
this rule. Should any changes become necessary, they would be submitted
to OMB for approval.
This rule does not impose any additional reporting or recordkeeping
requirements on either small or large avocado handlers. 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. USDA has not identified any relevant
Federal rules that duplicate, overlap, or conflict with this rule.
Further, the public comments received concerning the proposal did not
address the initial regulatory flexibility analysis.
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.
Committee meetings were widely publicized throughout the avocado
industry. All interested persons were invited to attend Committee
meetings and participate in Committee deliberations on all issues. Like
all Committee meetings, the October 14, 2020, meeting was a public
meeting and all entities, both large and small, were able to express
views on this issue.
A proposed rule concerning this action was published in the Federal
Register on August 12, 2021 (86 FR 44286). Copies of the proposed rule
were also mailed or sent via email to all Florida avocado handlers. The
proposal was made available through the internet by USDA and the Office
of the Federal Register. A 60-day comment period ending October 12,
2021, was provided for interested persons to respond to the proposal.
During the comment period, three comments were received in response
to the proposal. Of the comments received, one comment was in support
of the change and two were opposed.
The one comment in support agreed with the proposed changes and
stated their support for the domestic industry. In addition, the
commentor added the changes would ensure products are ripe and safe for
consumers.
The two comments received in opposition to the change were from
industry representatives from the Dominican Republic. Both commentors
stated the change would have a negative impact on avocados imported
from the Dominican Republic by shortening the calendar and limiting
imports. Based on a review of the comments submitted and available
information, USDA does not believe this will shorten the calendar year
nor have a negative impact on imported shipments based on the reasons
discussed below.
The end dates established are consistent with current industry
practices and provide ample time for varieties to ship prior to the end
dates for the schedule. As previously mentioned, most avocados subject
to the maturity schedule are harvested within three months of the A
date. The last A date listed on the schedule for a specific variety is
for the Monday nearest December 12, with a D date of the following
Monday nearest January 23. The end date of April 15 falls four months
after the final listed A date and provides handlers sufficient time to
harvest and ship varieties listed on the schedule.
Regarding the end date for the Guatemalan seedling, the industry
had been considering June 30 as an end date for the annual requirements
for Guatemalan seedling. However, Committee members agreed this date
was too late in the season and had resulted in overmature, poor quality
fruit reaching the market. Setting an end date earlier in the month
helps address the issues related to overmature fruit, improving the
quality of avocados entering the market, and benefiting growers,
handlers, and importers by ensuring consumers receive a quality piece
of fruit.
Further, the end date of June 8 is not a significant change from
the June 30 date the industry had previously considered. Based on
information available, most shipments of Guatemalan seedlings end
before the first week in June, and the end date of June 8 still
provides an additional week for handlers to ship any remaining
avocados. While avocados can be held on the tree for a period after
they have reached maturity, varieties covered under the Guatemalan
seedling are mature and available for harvest and shipment before the
established end date. Handlers and importers can adjust their
harvesting and shipping dates to reflect the end dates for the
schedule.
Consequently, shipments should not be negatively impacted by
establishing end dates for the schedule, nor does the calendar year
shorten as a result of this rule. The end dates will also help prevent
the shipment of overmature avocados that have been held on the tree too
long.
One comment also stated the change would affect the export of more
than 150 containers per year causing an economic loss of more than $7
million per season. Based on the other information contained in the
comment, the statements about the volume and monetary impact stem from
concerns regarding how the variety commonly referred to in the
Dominican Republic as Beneke will be handled under this change.
Importers have been declaring the Beneke variety as West Indian
seedling, Hardee, Berni, Beni, and other names, as well as Guatemalan
seedling during the importation process. This variety usually ships
during the period of overlap in the schedules and can have shipments
into July.
[[Page 8143]]
The commentor is concerned the change to the maturity schedule
would directly affect the imports of this variety as many importers
have been declaring the Beneke as Guatemalan seedling at the time of
inspection. The commentor believes this change would negatively impact
the importation of this variety by reducing its shipment timeframe to
that specified for the Guatemalan seedling.
However, in the comment, the Beneke is described as a variety which
changes color from green to dark purple. Sections 915.332 of the Order
and 944.31 of the Avocado import maturity regulation, provide an
exemption from the maturity regulation for varieties which normally
change color to any shade of red or purple when mature, except for the
Linda variety. Consequently, varieties that break in color, such as
Beneke, are exempt from the maturity schedule. As such, this change
will not impact the Beneke variety.
The commentor also suggests that Beneke be adopted as the official
name for this variety and asked that procedures be updated to assist
with the importation of this variety. USDA is familiar with the Beneke
variety and has been working on ways to facilitate its entry into the
United States. USDA has requested a United Nations Standard Products
and Services Code for the Beneke variety. Once obtained, the codes can
be used when presenting this variety for entry into the United States.
The importer should also identify the variety as Beneke when submitting
the request for inspection. These steps should facilitate the
importation of this variety and prevent unnecessary issues and delays
during the inspection process.
Accordingly, for the reasons discussed above, no changes will be
made to the rule as proposed based on the comments received.
A small business guide on complying with fruit, vegetable, and
specialty crop marketing agreements and orders may be viewed at:
https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/moa/small-businesses. Any
questions about the compliance guide should be sent to Richard Lower at
the previously mentioned address in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section.
In accordance with section 8e of the Act, the United States Trade
Representative has concurred with the issuance of this rule.
After consideration of all relevant material presented, including
the information and recommendation submitted by the Committee and other
available information, it is hereby found that this rule will tend to
effectuate the declared policy of the Act.
List of Subjects
7 CFR Part 915
Avocados, Marketing agreements, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
7 CFR Part 944
Avocados, Food grades and standards, Grapefruit, Grapes, Imports,
Kiwifruit, Limes, Olives, Oranges, Plums, Prunes.
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Agricultural
Marketing Service amends 7 CFR parts 915 and 944 as follows:
PART 915--AVOCADOS GROWN IN SOUTH FLORIDA
0
1. The authority citation for part 915 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601-674.
0
2. Section 915.332 is amended by adding paragraph (a)(4) to read as
follows:
Sec. 915.332 Florida avocado maturity regulation.
(a) * * *
(4) The requirements listed in table I of this section are in
effect annually from April 16 through April 15 of the following year,
with an exception for the requirements for Guatemalan seedling which
are in effect annually from June 9 to June 8 of the following year.
* * * * *
PART 944--FRUITS; IMPORT REGULATIONS
0
3. The authority citation for part 944 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601-674.
0
4. Section 944.31 is amended by adding paragraph (a)(4) to read as
follows:
Sec. 944.31 Avocado import maturity regulation.
(a) * * *
(4) The requirements listed in table I of this section are in
effect annually from April 16 through April 15 of the following year,
with an exception for the requirements for Guatemalan seedling which
are in effect annually from June 9 to June 8 of the following year.
* * * * *
Erin Morris,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-03110 Filed 2-11-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P