Watermelon Research and Promotion Plan; Realignment; Withdrawal of Proposed Rule

Published

Sep 9, 2026

Citation

91 FR 57275

Docket

Doc. No. AMS-SC-25-0008

Agencies

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, Agricultural Marketing Service

Proposed rule; withdrawal.

Summary

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that it is withdrawing a rule it had proposed in September 2025 to reshape the Watermelon Research and Promotion Plan. The original proposal would have redrawn several production districts and cut the number of importers on the National Watermelon Promotion Board from nine to seven. AMS said the mathematical formula used to justify the importer reduction did not meet legal standards, so the agency is abandoning the rule rather than moving forward with the changes. The withdrawal affects watermelon growers, importers, and the members of the National Watermelon Promotion Board who would have been subject to the proposed realignment and board‑size reduction. No new requirements or deadlines are being set, and the plan will continue to operate under its existing structure. The withdrawal was published in the Federal Register on September 9, 2026 (91 FR 57275). Because the proposal is being rescinded, the earlier comment period that had run after the September 19, 2025 notice is now moot, and no effective date applies. AMS will retain the current Watermelon Research and Promotion Plan until any future, legally sound proposal is issued.

AI-generated summary — verify against the Federal Register text.

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