Melons Grown in South Texas; Increased Assessment Rate

This rule increases the assessment rate established for the South Texas Melon Committee (Committee) for the 2003-04 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.06 to $0.09 per carton of melons handled. The Committee locally administers the marketing order which regulates the handling of melons grown in South Texas. Authorization to assess melon handlers enables the Committee to incur expenses that are reasonable and necessary to administer the program. The fiscal period began on October 1 and ends September 30. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.