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

This rule increases the assessment rate established for the Northwest Fresh Bartlett Pear Marketing Committee (Committee) for the 2003-2004 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.025 to $0.335 per 44- pound standard box or container equivalent of fresh Bartlett pears handled. The Committee locally administers the marketing order, which regulates the handling of fresh Bartlett pears grown in the States of 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 fiscal period began July 1 and ends June 30. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.