Fresh Bartlett Pears Grown in Oregon and Washington; Decreased Assessment Rate

The Department of Agriculture (Department) is adopting, as a final rule, with a minor change, the provisions of an interim final rule which decreased the assessment rate established for the Northwest Fresh Bartlett Pear Marketing Committee (Committee) under Marketing Order No. 931 for the 2000-2001 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.025 to $0.02 per standard box of fresh Bartlett pears handled. The Committee is responsible for local administration of the marketing order that regulates the handling of fresh Bartlett pears grown in Oregon and Washington. Authorization to assess fresh Bartlett pear handlers enables the Committee to incur expenses that are reasonable and necessary to administer the program. The 2000-2001 fiscal period began on July 1 and ends June 30. The assessment rate will continue in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.