Decreased Assessment Rates for Specified Marketing Orders

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim final rule which decreased the assessment rates established for the Washington Apricot Marketing Committee and the Washington Cherry Marketing Committee (Committees) for the 2004-2005 and subsequent fiscal periods. This final rule decreases the assessment rates established for the Committees from $3.00 to $2.50 per ton for Washington apricots and from $1.00 to $0.75 per ton for Washington sweet cherries. The Committees are responsible for local administration of the marketing orders that regulate the handling of apricots and cherries grown in designated counties in Washington. Authorization to assess apricot and cherry handlers enables the Committees to incur expenses that are reasonable and necessary to administer the programs. The fiscal period for both marketing orders began April 1 and ends March 31. The assessment rates will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.