Reduced 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 which decreased the assessment rates established for the Washington Apricot Marketing Committee, Washington Cherry Marketing Committee, and Washington-Oregon Fresh Prune Committee (Committees) under Marketing Orders Nos. 922, 923, and 924 for the 1997-98, and subsequent fiscal periods. Authorization to assess apricot, cherry, and prune handlers enables the Committees to incur expenses that are reasonable and necessary to administer the program. The 1997-98 fiscal periods for these marketing orders began April 1 and end March 31. The assessment rates will continue in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.