Tomatoes Grown in Florida; Increased Assessment Rate

This rule increases the assessment rate established for the Florida Tomato Committee (Committee) for the 2003-04 and subsequent fiscal periods from $.02 to $.025 per 25-pound container or equivalent of tomatoes handled. The Committee locally administers 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.