USDA Seeks Comments on Proposed Rule for Establishment of Reporting Requirements and Information Collection for Pecan Growers

On July 21, 2017, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) published a proposed rule addressing reporting requirements and information collection for pecans grown in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas. The rule would require all pecan handlers to submit forms to the American Pecan Council on inter-handler transfers, year-end inventory, and pecans handled throughout the year. The Council, will use these forms to supply industry reports. In its Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis AMS states that the costs to small business will be minimal; however AMS is seeking public comments on the proposed rule.