USDA Proposes Assessment Rate Increase for Washington Cherry Handlers

Date
September 21, 2016

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

This action would increase the assessment rate for the 2016-2017 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.15 to $0.25 per ton of cherries handled under the order.  The committee estimates the 2016-2017 cherry crop to be approximately 150,000 tons, down from the 165,358 tons harvested the previous season.  Income generated from the new assessment rate, along with reserve funds, should be adequate to fund committee expenditures.

The proposed rule for this action was published in the Federal Register on Sept. 21, 2016.  Written comments must be received by Oct. 6, 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.