Assessment Rates for Specified Marketing Orders

The Department of Agriculture (Department) is adopting as a final rule, without change, the provisions of an interim final rule that establishes assessment rates for Marketing Order Nos. 922, 923 and 924 for the 1996-97 and subsequent fiscal periods. The Washington Apricot Marketing Committee, Washington Cherry Marketing Committee, and Washington-Oregon Fresh Prune Marketing Committee (Committees) are responsible for local administration of the marketing orders which regulate the handling of apricots and cherries grown in designated counties in Washington, and prunes grown in designated counties in Washington and in Umatilla County, Oregon. Authorization to assess apricot, cherry and prune handlers enables the Committees to incur expenses that are reasonable and necessary to administer the programs.