Winter Pears Grown in Oregon and Washington; 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 established for the Winter Pear Control Committee (Committee) under Marketing Order No. 927 for the 1997-98, and subsequent fiscal periods. The Committee is responsible for local administration of the marketing order which regulates the handling of winter pears grown in Oregon and Washington. Authorization to assess winter 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. The marketing order was amended recently and California was removed from the production area.