USDA Refreshes California Almond Data Collection Forms
Published Date: 5/4/2026
Notice
Summary
The USDA wants to keep collecting info from California almond growers and update how they do it. This affects farmers and businesses involved in California almonds, helping keep the almond market running smoothly. If you have thoughts, speak up by July 6, 2026—no extra costs, just a little paperwork refresh!
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Handlers Must File Annual Treatment Plans
If you are an almond handler under Marketing Order No. 981, you are required to submit an annual treatment plan to the Almond Board of California on ABC Form No. 54 and use either an on-site or audit-based verification program. The USDA estimates the public reporting burden at 1.1 hours per response, with an estimated 225 respondents and a total annual burden of 4,210 hours (including 3,900 recordkeeping hours).
Applications Required for Program Approvals
Entities that want Board approval to serve as process authorities, Direct Verifiable (DV) program participants, DV program auditors, or custom processors must submit specific applications: ABC Form No. 51 (process authority), ABC Form No. 52 (DV program for accepting untreated almonds), ABC Form No. 53 (DV program auditors), and ABC Form No. 55 (custom processor). Manufacturers in the United States, Canada, and Mexico who want to be approved to accept untreated almonds and agree to treat them under the DV program are explicitly included.
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