Increased Assessment Rates for Specified Marketing Orders

This rule increases the assessment rates established for the Washington Apricot Marketing Committee, the Washington Cherry Marketing Committee, and the Washington-Oregon Fresh Prune Committee (Committees) for the 2003-2004 and subsequent fiscal periods. This rule increases the assessment rates established for the Committees from $2.50 to $3.00 per ton for Washington apricots, from $0.75 to $1.00 per ton for Washington sweet cherries, and $1.00 to $1.50 per ton for Washington- Oregon fresh prunes. The Committees are responsible for local administration of the marketing orders which regulate the handling of apricots and cherries grown in designated counties in Washington, and prunes grown in designated counties in Washington and in Umatilla County, Oregon. Authorization to assess apricot, cherry, and prune handlers enables the Committees to incur expenses that are reasonable and necessary to administer the programs. The fiscal period for these marketing orders begins April 1 and ends March 31. The assessment rates will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.