Kiwifruit Grown 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 Kiwifruit Administrative Committee (Committee) under Marketing Order No. 920 for the 1997-98 and subsequent fiscal periods. The Committee is responsible for local administration of the marketing order which regulates the handling of kiwifruit grown in California. Authorization to assess kiwifruit handlers enables the Committee to incur expenses that are reasonable and necessary to administer the program. The 1997-98 fiscal period covers the period August 1 through July 31. The assessment rate will continue in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.