Sweet Onions Grown in the Walla Walla Valley of Southeast Washington and Northeast Oregon; Increased Assessment Rate

This rule increases the assessment rate established for the Walla Walla Sweet Onion Committee (Committee) under Marketing Order No. 956 for the 1998-99 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.19 to $0.21 per 50-pound bag or equivalent of onions handled. The Committee is responsible for local administration of the marketing order which regulates the handling of sweet onions grown in portions of Walla Walla County, Washington, and Umatilla County, Oregon. Authorization to assess Walla Walla sweet onion handlers enables the Committee to incur expenses that are reasonable and necessary to administer the program. The fiscal period begins June 1 and ends May 31. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.