Tomatoes Grown in Florida; Decreased Assessment Rate

The Department of Agriculture (Department) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, the provisions of an interim final rule which decreased the assessment rate established for the Florida Tomato Committee (Committee) for the 1999-2000 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.03 per 25-pound container to $0.025 per 25-pound container of tomatoes handled. The Committee is responsible for local administration of the marketing order which regulates the handling of tomatoes grown in Florida. Authorization to assess tomato handlers enables the Committee to incur expenses that are reasonable and necessary to administer the program. The fiscal period began August 1 and ends July 31. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.