Pistachios Grown in California; Secretary's Decision and Referendum Order on Proposed Marketing Agreement and Order No. 983

Résumé

This decision proposes the issuance of a marketing agreement and order (order) for pistachios grown in California, and provides growers with the opportunity to vote in a referendum to determine if they favor promulgation of the order. The proposed order would set standards for the quality of pistachios produced and handled in California by establishing a maximum aflatoxin tolerance level, maximum limits for defects, a minimum size requirement, and mandatory inspection and certification. An eleven-member committee, consisting of eight producers, two handlers, and one public member, would locally administer the program. The program would be financed by assessments on handlers of pistachios grown in the production area. The program would enhance grower returns through the delivery of higher-quality pistachios to consumers.