Irish Potatoes Grown in Modoc and Siskiyou Counties, California, and in All Counties in Oregon, Except Malheur County; Define Fiscal Period and Decrease Assessment Rate

The Department of Agriculture (Department), is adopting as a final rule, without change, the provisions of an interim final rule which established, in the regulatory text, the fiscal period of the Oregon-California Potato Committee (Committee) to begin July 1 of each year and end June 30 of the following year, and decreased the assessment rate established under Marketing Order No. 947 for the 1997- 98 and subsequent fiscal periods. The Committee is responsible for local administration of the marketing order which regulates the handling of Irish potatoes grown in Modoc and Siskiyou Counties, California, and in all counties in Oregon, except Malheur County. Authorization to assess potato handlers enables the Committee to incur expenses that are reasonable and necessary to administer the program. The 1997-98 fiscal period covers the period July 1 through June 30. The assessment rate will continue in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.