Oranges and Grapefruit Grown in Lower Rio Grande Valley in 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, from $0.125 to $0.11 per \7/10\ bushel carton, established for the Texas Valley Citrus Committee (Committee) under Marketing Order No. 906 for the 1998-99 and subsequent fiscal periods. The Committee is responsible for local administration of the marketing order which regulates the handling of oranges and grapefruit grown in the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas. Authorization to assess orange and grapefruit handlers enables the Committee to incur expenses that are reasonable and necessary to administer the program. The fiscal period began on August 1 and ends July 31. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.