Agricultural Marketing Service November 16, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice announces a public information session to be held addressing proposals received to amend the Federal order Class III and Class IV product price formulas. The purpose of the pre-hearing information session is for interested parties to learn about the intent of proposals that have been submitted to amend Class III and Class IV product price formulas and how the proposals would accomplish that intent. The session is intended to clarify the intent and effect of proposed amendments. The session will enable proponents to better prepare testimony and evidence in support of, or in opposition to, proposals that may be included in the Hearing Notice announcing the Class III/IV hearing.

This rule decreases the assessment rate established for the Administrative Committee for Pistachios (committee) for the 2006-07 and subsequent production years from $0.0014 to $0.0007 per pound of assessed-weight pistachios. The committee, which locally administers the marketing order regulating the handling of pistachios grown in California (order), made this recommendation to help reduce the monetary reserve and ensure that it remains at a level consistent with order requirements. Assessments upon pistachio handlers are used by the committee to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The production year begins September 1 and ends August 31. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.