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| ![](med | PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT                                       |
| ia/imag |                                                            |
| e1.wmf) | **AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE\                          |
|         | **United States Department of Agriculture 1400             |
|         | Independence Ave., SW Room 2632-S                          |
|         |                                                            |
|         | Washington, DC 20250 (202) 720-8998 World Wide Web:        |
|         | http://www.ams.usda.gov                                    |
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**AMS No. 117-07**

Jimmie Turner (202) 720-6179

jimmie.turner@usda.gov

Billy Cox (202) 720-8998

billy.cox@usda.gov

**HEARING SET FOR PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO**

**CALIFORNIA ALMOND MARKETING ORDER**

WASHINGTON, July 5, 2007 \-- The U.S. Department of Agriculture will
hold a public hearing on proposals to amend the federal marketing order
for almonds grown in California. The hearing will be held at 8:30 a.m.
on Thursday, Aug. 2 \-- continuing on Aug. 3, if necessary \-- at the
Stanislaus County Farm Bureau, 1201 L Street, Modesto, Calif.

Two proposed amendments were submitted by the Almond Board of
California, which is responsible for local administration of Federal
Marketing Order 981. The proposals would:

-   add authority to establish marking or labeling requirements for
    containers of almonds for shipping; and

-   add authority to establish different outgoing quality requirements
    for different market destinations.

In addition, USDA proposes to make any necessary changes to the order to
conform with any amendments that may result from the hearing.

If evidence submitted at the hearing favors these proposals, and if USDA
agrees that the amendments would improve the order's operation, almond
growers in the production area would vote in a grower referendum.

The proposals and the hearing notice will be published in the July 6
*Federal Register*. Copies may be obtained from Kurt Kimmel, 2202
Monterey Street, Suite 102-B, Fresno, CA 93721; (559) 487-5110; or fax
(559) 487-5906; or Kathy Finn, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0237,
Washington, DC 20250-0237; (202) 720-2491; or fax (202) 720-8938.

An electronic version of this news release can be obtained via the
Internet at: <http://www.ams.usda.gov/news/newsrel.html>.

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