Tart Cherries Grown in the States of Michigan, et al.; Increased Assessment Rates; Withdrawal of a Proposed Rule

Riepilogo

This action withdraws a proposed rule published in the Federal Register on June 10, 2002 (67 FR 39637), which would have increased the assessment rate for cherries that are utilized in the production of tart cherry products other than juice, juice concentrate, or puree from $0.00175 to $0.0021 per pound. It also would have increased the assessment rate for cherries utilized for juice, juice concentrate, or puree from $0.000875 to $0.00105 per pound. Both assessment rates would have applied to the 2002-2003 and subsequent fiscal periods. Since the proposed rule was published, the tart cherry marketing order was amended (August 8, 2002; 67 FR 51697). The provisions requiring the establishment of different assessment rates for different products were removed. In their place, the Cherry Industry Administrative Board (Board) is required to consider the volume of cherries used in making various products and the relative market value of those products in deciding whether the assessment rate should be a single, uniform rate applicable to all cherries or whether varying rates should be recommended for cherries manufactured into different products. At this time, it is the Board's intention t