Marketing Order Regulating the Handling of Spearmint Oil Produced in the Far West; Revision of the Salable Quantity and Allotment Percentage for Class 3 (Native) Spearmint Oil for the 1999-2000 Marketing Year

The Department of Agriculture (Department) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, the provisions of an interim final rule that increased the quantity of Class 3 (Native) spearmint oil produced in the Far West that handlers may purchase from, or handle for, producers during the 1999-2000 marketing year. This interim final rule amended a prior interim final rule. When combined, the two interim final rules increased the Native spearmint oil salable quantity by 184,160 pounds from 1,125,755 pounds to 1,309,915 pounds, and the allotment percentage by 9 percent from 55 percent to 64 percent. The Spearmint Oil Administrative Committee (Committee), the agency responsible for local administration of the marketing order for spearmint oil produced in the Far West, recommended these actions to avoid extreme fluctuations in supplies and prices, and, thus, help to maintain stability in the Far West spearmint oil market.