Pork Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Order: Rules and Regulations-Decrease in Assessment Rate and Decrease of Importer Assessments

Pursuant to the Pork Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act of 1985 (Act) and the Pork Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Order (Order) thereunder, this final rule decreases the current rate of assessment of 0.45 percent of the market value of porcine animals to 0.40 percent, and decreases the amount of assessment per pound due on imported pork and pork products (two- to four-hundredths of a cent per pound) to reflect the combined effect of the increase in the 2001 average price for domestic barrows and gilts (about 7 percent) and the decrease in the assessment rate. The assessment decrease will decrease annual funding of the promotion, research, and consumer information program by an estimated $5 million to $6 million with an estimated $290,000 decrease in importer assessments. The assessment decrease reflects the National Pork Producers Delegate Body's (Delegate Body) desire to lessen the assessment burden on producers and make such funds available to pork producers and the industry. The adjustment in importer assessments also brings the equivalent market value of live animals from which imported pork and pork products are derived in line with the market value of domestic porcine animals. A Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) number for prepared or preserved pork has also been added to the regulations.