AMS Removes Fruit and Vegetable Standards From CFR, Says Still in Effect

The Agricultural Marketing Service is eliminating regulations related to eight voluntary standards for fruits and vegetables, though the standards will remain in use, AMS said. For these eight standards, which cover cantaloupes, celery, celery stalks, Persian (Tahiti) limes, peaches, apricots, nectarines and honey dew and honey ball melons, AMS will delete them from the Code of Federal Regulations but will continue the underlying programs, because they are administrable based only on AMS’ authority and no codified regulations are necessary, the agency said. AMS is not removing regulations for other standards at this time because they are referenced in marketing orders, import regulations, export acts or price support programs, it said. The interim final rule takes effect Feb. 1, though comments will be considered if received by April 2.