Kiwifruit Grown in California; Decreased Assessment Rate

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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 $0.0225 per tray or tray equivalent to $0.05 per 22-pound volume fill container or equivalent of kiwifruit established for the Kiwifruit Administrative Committee (Committee) under Marketing Order No. 920 for the 1998-99 and subsequent fiscal periods. The assessment rate of $0.0225 per tray or tray equivalent approximates $0.0675 per 22-pound volume fill container. Thus, the assessment rate of $0.05 per 22-pound volume fill container is less than the 1997-98 assessment rate. The Committee is responsible for local administration of the marketing order which regulates the handling of kiwifruit grown in California. Authorization to assess kiwifruit handlers enables the Committee to incur expenses that are reasonable and necessary to administer the program. The fiscal period began August 1 and ends July 31. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.