Olives Grown in California; Increased Assessment Rate

This rule increases the assessment rate established for the California Olive Committee (Committee) for 2012 and subsequent fiscal years from $16.61 to $31.32 per assessable ton of olives handled. The Committee locally administers the marketing order which regulates the handling of olives grown in California. Assessments upon olive handlers are used by the Committee to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The fiscal year began January 1 and ends December 31. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.

Agency Contact: Jerry L. Simmons, Marketing Specialist or Kurt J. Kimmel, Regional Director, California Marketing Field Office, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA; Telephone: (559) 487-5901, Fax: (559) 487-5906, or Email: Jerry.Simmons@ams.usda.gov or Kurt.Kimmel@ams.usda.gov.