USDA Proposes Assessment Rate Increase for Washington Apricot Handlers

Date
August 23, 2016

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is inviting comments on a recommendation by the Washington Apricot Marketing Committee (Committee) to increase the assessment rate prescribed under the marketing order regulating the handling of apricots grown in designated counties in Washington.

This action would increase the assessment rate for the 2016-17 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.75 to $1.40 per ton of apricots handled under the order.  The Committee estimates the 2016-17 crop to be approximately 5,000 tons.  Income generated from the new assessment rate, along with reserve funds, should be adequate to fund Committee expenditures and to replenish its depleted monetary reserves.

The proposed rule for this action was published in the Federal Register on Aug. 23, 2016.  Written comments must be received by Sept. 22, 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 on the internet by visiting www.regulations.gov.

All comments timely submitted in response to this proposed rule will be made available for public review and considered before any increases to the assessment rate are finalized.