USDA Proposes Changes to Handling Regulations for Some Irish Potatoes Grown in Idaho, and Oregon

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announces a proposed rule to change the handling regulations issued under the federal marketing order for Irish potatoes grown in certain counties in Idaho, and Malheur County, Oregon.

This action would relax the requirements for non-Russet type potato varieties to allow the handling of U.S. No. 2 or better grade potatoes in the Size B profile. Currently, all Size B potatoes regulated under the marketing order must otherwise meet the requirements of the U.S. No. 1 grade or better. The Idaho-Eastern Oregon Potato Committee recommended this action to enable marketers of potatoes grown in the production area to adjust to consumer preferences and meet customer demands.

The proposed rule for this action was published in the Federal Register on April 23, 2020. Written comments must be received by June 22, 2021.

Post comments concerning the proposed change at Regulations.gov or mail them to Docket Clerk, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Specialty Crops Program, Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP 0237, Washington, D.C. 20250-0237.

All comments to the proposed rule submitted by the deadline will be made available for public review and considered before publication of the final rule.

Information about the marketing order is available on the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) 945 Idaho-Eastern Oregon Potatoes webpage, the AMS Marketing Orders and Agreements webpage or by contacting the Marketing Order and Agreement Division at (202) 720-2491

Authorized by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, marketing orders are industry-driven programs that help producers and handlers achieve marketing success by leveraging their own funds to design and execute programs that they would not be able to do individually. AMS provides oversight to 29 fruit, vegetable, and specialty crop marketing orders and agreements, which helps ensure fiscal accountability and program integrity.