Irish Potatoes Grown in Southeastern States; 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 Southeastern Potato Committee (Committee) under Marketing Order No. 953 for the 1998-99 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.0075 to $0.01 per hundredweight of potatoes handled. The Committee is responsible for local administration of the marketing order which regulates the handling of Irish potatoes grown in two southeastern States (Virginia and North Carolina). Authorization to assess potato 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.