Fresh Bartlett Pears Grown in Oregon and Washington; Reduced Assessment Rate

The Department of Agriculture (Department) is adopting as a final rule, without change, the provisions of an interim final rule which decreased the assessment rate established for the Fresh Bartlett Pear Marketing Committee (Committee) under Marketing Order No. 931 for the 1997-98, and subsequent fiscal periods. The Committee is responsible for local administration of the marketing order which regulates the handling of fresh Bartlett pears grown in Oregon and Washington. Authorization to assess fresh Bartlett pear handlers enables the Committee to incur expenses that are reasonable and necessary to administer the program. The 1997-98 fiscal period began July 1 and ends June 30. The assessment rate will continue in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.