USDA terminates Washington apricot marketing order

The USDA is terminating Marketing Order No. 922, which regulates the handling of apricots grown in designated counties in Washington state.

The marketing order was established in 1957 but has been operating without handling requirements since 2014, according to a news release.

In 2014, the USDA implemented a recommendation from the committee to indefinitely suspend the marketing order’s handling requirements to reduce industry expenses and increase returns to producers and handlers, the release said.

On July 7, 2021, the committee unanimously voted to recommend the USDA terminate the entire marketing order after determining the suspension of handling requirements had not adversely affected the marketing of Washington apricots. While considering the recommendation, the USDA published a final rule on April 13, 2022, suspending the reporting and assessment collection requirements under the marketing order, the release said.

A 60-day public comment period on the proposed rule for this termination closed on Dec. 19, 2022. One comment was received in support of termination. The USDA informed Congress of the termination on March 3, 2023, in compliance with the requirement to notify Congress at least 60 days before terminating a federal marketing order.

The final rule for this action was published in the Federal Register on June 27, 2023.