Melons Grown in South Texas; Decreased 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 South Texas Melon Committee (Committee) under Marketing Order No. 979 for the 1997- 98 and subsequent fiscal periods. The Committee is responsible for local administration of the marketing order which regulates the handling of melons grown in South Texas. Authorization to assess Texas melon handlers enables the Committee to incur expenses that are reasonable and necessary to administer the program. The fiscal period began on October 1 and ends September 30. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.