Federal Register #2026-20792

USDA Finalizes Changes to California Raisin Marketing Order No. 989

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service finalized changes to the rules governing California raisin handling under Marketing Order No. 989. - Government buyer and issuing office: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). - The rule was proposed by the Raisin Administrative Committee; California raisin producers voted in favor of the amendments. - Committee structure: membership is reduced from 47 to 21, producer district representation is removed, an unaffiliated producer seat is added, and the designated cooperative bargaining association seat is eliminated. The quorum is reduced from 25 to 14. - Other changes revise nomination procedures and marketing policy provisions, update language concerning reconditioned raisin quality, authorize voluntary contributions, address intellectual property ownership, and make related changes to the marketing order. - No products, services, OEMs, vendors, quantities, or part numbers are identified. This is a regulatory action, not a procurement opportunity.

Description

This final rule amends Marketing Order No. 989, which regulates the handling of raisins produced from grapes grown in California. It reduces Raisin Administrative Committee membership from 47 to 21, removes producer district representation, adds an unaffiliated producer seat, eliminates the designated cooperative bargaining association seat, and lowers the quorum from 25 to 14. It also changes nomination requirements, revises marketing policy factors and language concerning reconditioned raisins, and authorizes voluntary contributions while addressing intellectual property ownership. Conforming changes are made to the marketing order.

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