USDA Pistachio Marketing Order Vote Set for Oct. 3-4

WASHINGTONThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Oct. 3-4, 2011 will hold a referendum on proposed federal marketing order amendments regulating the handling of pistachios grown in Arizona, California and New Mexico.

The referendum is being conducted to gauge voter support for amendments recommended by the administrative committee for pistachios and a proposed rule issued in the Sept. 15 Federal Register. USDA will mail ballots to all known pistachio growers in the three states.

The proposed amendments would provide authority to establish aflatoxin sampling, analysis and inspection requirements for shipments of pistachios to export markets, including authority to establish different regulations for different markets; provide authority to establish quality and inspection requirements for shipments of pistachios to export markets, including authority to establish different regulations for different markets; change a related section of the order concerning substandard pistachios to conform to the proposed addition of export authority; and correct an erroneous cross-reference to another section of the order.