Walnuts Grown in California; Increased Assessment Rate

This rule increases the assessment rate established for the Walnut Marketing Board (Board) under Marketing Order No. 984 for the 1998-99 and subsequent marketing years from $0.0116 to $0.0133 per kernelweight pound of certified merchantable walnuts. The Board is responsible for local administration of the marketing order which regulates the handling of walnuts grown in California. Authorization to assess walnut handlers enables the Board to incur expenses that are reasonable and necessary to administer the program. The marketing year began on August 1 and ends July 31. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.