Walnuts Grown in California; Decreased Assessment Rate

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim final rule that decreased the assessment rate established for the Walnut Marketing Board (Board) for the 2003-04 and subsequent marketing years from $0.0120 to $0.0101 per kernelweight pound of assessable walnuts. The decreased assessment rate should generate sufficient income to meet the Board's 2003-04 anticipated expenses of $2,863,350. The lower assessment rate is primarily due to a lower budget and a larger crop. The Board locally administers the marketing order (order) that regulates the handling of walnuts grown in California. Authorization to assess walnut handlers enables the Board to incur expenses that are reasonable and necessary to administer the program. The marketing year began August 1 and ends July 31. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.