Fruits; Imported (Avocados); Reinstatement and Revision of Avocado Import Maturity Requirements

Résumé

This proposed rule would reinstate, with revision, temporarily suspended maturity requirements based on minimum sizes (diameters and weights) and skin color for avocados imported into the United States. These maturity requirements were temporarily suspended to provide the United States Trade Representative (USTR) adequate time to review contemplated changes in the import requirements. This proposed rule would also add an exemption for certain varieties of avocados, and remove the exemption for avocados grown in the southern hemisphere. This proposed rule would also add exemptions from maturity requirements for avocados imported for certain uses. This proposed 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.