The definition of "handler" and "handling" depends on the 

 particular crop and area. As defined in most orders, a 

 handler is anyone who handles (for example, acquires, grades, 

 washes, packs, or processes) the commodity, sells the com- 

 modity or is responsible for selling it, or transports the 

 commodity. All handlers, except hired carriers like trucking 

 firms and railroads, are responsible for seeing that their 

 product meets the grade, size, quality, or other requirements 

 set up under the program. 



Growers may not be regulated under marketing orders as 

 long as they are acting only as growers. When they perform 

 handling functions, however, they become handlers as well 

 as growers. For example, if a grower grades and packs his 

 own crop, he can be regulated as a handler. 



Neither is a retailer regulated as a retailer. If he func- 

 tions as a handler, though--by operating a packing shed within 

 the production area for example --then he is a handler and 

 subject to regulation. 



REGULATION OF IMPORTS 



Whenever the quality of domestic shipments of certain 

 commodities is regulated under marketing orders, imports 

 of those commodities are regulated too. The commodities 

 so regulated are tomatoes, green peppers, Irish potatoes, 

 eggplant, cucumbers, avocados, mangoes, limes, grapefruit, 

 oranges, onions, walnuts, and dates (other than dates for 

 processing). When grade, size, quality, or maturity regula- 

 tions are in effect under a marketing order for any of these 

 crops produced in the United States, the Secretary of 

 Agriculture must issue import regulations with the same or 

 equivalent requirements. Import regulations only apply, how- 

 ever, when domestic shipments are actually being regulated. 



