Winter Pears Grown in Oregon and Washington; Order Amending Marketing Order No. 927

This rule amends the marketing order (order) for winter pears grown in Oregon and Washington. The amendments are based on recommendations jointly proposed by the Winter Pear Control Committee and the Northwest Fresh Bartlett Marketing Committee, which are responsible for local administration of orders 927 and 931, respectively. Marketing Agreement and Order No. 931 regulates the handling of fresh Bartlett pears grown in Oregon and Washington. The amendments would combine the winter pear and fresh Bartlett orders into a single program under marketing order 927, and would add authority to assess pears for processing. All of the proposals were favored by pear growers in a mail referendum, held March 22 through April 8, 2005. These amendments are intended to streamline industry organization and improve the administration, operation, and functioning of the program.