USDA Invites Comments on a Proposed Assessment Rate Increase for Hazelnut Growers in Oregon and Washington

Date
August 18, 2017

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is inviting comments on a recommendation by the Hazelnut Marketing Board to increase the assessment rate prescribed under the marketing order regulating the handling of hazelnuts grown in Oregon and Washington.

This action would increase the assessment rate for the 2017-2018 and subsequent marketing years from $0.005 to $0.006 per pound of hazelnuts handled under the order. By increasing the assessment rate, assessment income would be approximately $480,000. The Board recommended the higher assessment rate to fund an increase in promotional activities.

The proposed rule for this action was published in the Federal Register on Aug. 18, 2017. Written comments must be received by Sept. 18, 2017. All comments submitted by the deadline will be made available for public review and considered before any increase to the assessment rate is finalized.

Comments may be posted at Regulations.gov or mailed to Docket Clerk, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; or faxed to (202) 720-8938.

The proposed rule change may be viewed at https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=AMS_FRDOC_0001-1621 or requested from the address above.

More information about the marketing order for hazelnuts grown in Oregon and Washington is available on the 982 Hazelnuts page on the AMS website.

USDA is an equal opportunity lender, provider and employer.