Fresh Prunes Grown in Designated Counties in Washington and in Umatilla County, OR; Increased Assessment Rate

This rule increases the assessment rate established for the Washington-Oregon Fresh Prune Marketing Committee (Committee) for the 2004-2005 and subsequent fiscal periods from $1.50 to $1.75 per ton of prunes handled. The Committee locally administers the marketing order which regulates the handling of fresh prunes grown in designated counties in Washington and in Umatilla County, Oregon. Authorization to assess prune 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.