Dried Prunes Produced in California; Increased Assessment Rate

The Department of Agriculture (Department) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, the provisions of an interim final rule which increased the assessment rate for the Prune Marketing Committee (Committee) under Marketing Order No. 993 for the 1997-98 and subsequent crop years. The Committee is responsible for local administration of the marketing order which regulates the handling of dried prunes grown in California. Authorization to assess dried prune handlers enables the Committee to incur expenses that are reasonable and necessary to administer the program. The 1997-98 crop year covers the period August 1 through July 31. The assessment rate will continue in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.