Walla Walla Sweet Onion Assessment Rate Decreased to $0.17 per 50-lb Bag
AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.
The USDA has finalized a rule reducing the marketing order assessment rate for sweet onions grown in the Walla Walla Valley — a region spanning Southeast Washington and Northeast Oregon — from $0.20 to $0.17 per 50-pound bag or equivalent unit. This change was recommended by the Walla Walla Sweet Onion Marketing Committee, the industry body responsible for administering the marketing order for this specific agricultural region. The reduced rate applies beginning with the 2025 fiscal period and will remain in effect indefinitely unless the Committee recommends, and USDA approves, a future modification, suspension, or termination. The $0.03 per bag reduction represents a 15% decrease in the per-unit assessment burden on producers and handlers operating under this marketing order. Marketing order assessments fund collective activities such as research, promotion, and market development for the commodity. A lower rate typically reflects improved financial reserves or reduced operational needs of the Committee, and is intended to align collections more closely with projected expenditures.
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Key Changes
- Assessment rate reduced from $0.20 to $0.17 per 50-pound bag or equivalent — a $0.03 (15%) decrease
- New rate effective starting fiscal year 2025 and applies to all subsequent fiscal periods
- Rate remains in effect indefinitely until modified, suspended, or terminated by USDA action
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Obligations
What this law requires
Producers and handlers of sweet onions grown in the Walla Walla Valley must pay an assessment rate of $0.17 per 50-pound bag or equivalent unit beginning with the 2025 fiscal period
The Walla Walla Sweet Onion Marketing Committee must collect assessments at the rate of $0.17 per 50-pound bag or equivalent unit for the 2025 fiscal period and all subsequent fiscal periods
The Walla Walla Sweet Onion Marketing Committee must use collected assessment funds for collective activities including research, promotion, and market development for sweet onions
The assessment rate of $0.17 per 50-pound bag shall remain in effect indefinitely unless the Walla Walla Sweet Onion Marketing Committee recommends a modification, suspension, or termination and USDA approves such change