Dried Prunes Produced in California and Dried Prunes Imported into the United States; Proposed Rule to Establish a Separate Tolerance for Prunes Affected by Brown Rot

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This proposed rule would establish a separate brown rot tolerance for dried prunes produced in California and for imported dried prunes. Currently, the combined allowance for mold, imbedded dirt, insect infestation and decay cannot exceed 5 percent for inbound and outbound inspections. This rule would specify a separate tolerance of 3 percent for brown rot affected prunes, within the combined tolerance allowance of 5 percent. The proposed tolerance should benefit producers, handlers, and consumers, and foster continued growth of the market for dried prunes. As provided under section 8e of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, a corresponding change should be made in the prune import regulation.