Apricots Grown in Designated Counties in Washington; Increased Assessment Rate

This rule increases the assessment rate established for the Washington Apricot Marketing Committee (Committee) for the 2002-03 and subsequent fiscal periods from $2.00 to $2.50 per ton of apricots handled. The Committee locally administers the marketing order which regulates the handling of apricots grown in designated counties in Washington. Authorization to assess apricot handlers enables the Committee to incur expenses that are reasonable and necessary to administer the program. The fiscal period began April 1 and ends March 31. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.