Pistachios Grown in California; Decreased Assessment Rate

This rule decreases the assessment rate established for the Administrative Committee for Pistachios (committee) for the 2006-07 and subsequent production years from $0.0014 to $0.0007 per pound of assessed-weight pistachios. The committee, which locally administers the marketing order regulating the handling of pistachios grown in California (order), made this recommendation to help reduce the monetary reserve and ensure that it remains at a level consistent with order requirements. Assessments upon pistachio handlers are used by the committee to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The production year begins September 1 and ends August 31. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.