USDA Proposes Assessment Rate Increase for Texas Citrus Handlers

Date
August 17, 2016

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is inviting comments on a recommendation by the Texas Valley Citrus Committee (Committee) to increase the assessment rate prescribed under the marketing order regulating the handling of oranges and grapefruit grown in the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas.

This action would increase the assessment rate for the 2016-17 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.08 to $0.09 per 7/10-bushel carton or equivalent of oranges and grapefruit handled.  The Committee estimates the 2016-17 crop to be approximately 8,000,000 7/10-bushel cartons or equivalent.  Increasing the assessment rate, along with funds from reserves and interest income, would be adequate to cover budgeted expenses for the 2016-17 fiscal period.

The proposed rule for this action was published in the Federal Register on Aug. 17, 2016.  Written comments must be received by Sept. 16, 2016, and should be sent to the Docket Clerk, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; by fax at (202) 720-8938; or by visiting www.regulations.gov.

All comments submitted in response to this proposed rule are publicly available and will be considered before any increases to the assessment rate are made.