Almonds Grown in California; Increased Assessment Rate

This rule increases the assessment rate from $0.02 to $0.025 per pound of almonds established for the Almond Board of California (Board) under Marketing Order No. 981 for the 1998-99 and subsequent crop years. The Board is responsible for local administration of the marketing order which regulates the handling of almonds grown in California. Authorization to assess almond handlers enables the Board to incur expenses that are reasonable and necessary to administer the program. The crop year began on August 1 and ends July 31. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.