AMS Final Rule Increases Importer Assessment Under Mango Order
The Agricultural Marketing Service issued a final rule amending the Mango Promotion, Research, and Information Order to increase the assessment rate on first handlers and importers of mangos from one half cent per pound to three quarters of a cent per pound. The National Mango Board recommended the action to ensure that its research and promotion programs continue to be adequately funded.
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Increase Projected to Add About $1.6M in Revenue for Promotion, Research, Etc.
The assessment rate increase is expected to generate an additional $1.6 million annually, depending on the volume of mangos handled in the U.S. or imported into the U.S. AMS said the 2010 assessments, which were one half cent per pound of mangos handled or imported generated $3.6 million. Less than one percent of the total 2010 assessments were from domestic handlers because the vast majority of assessments were collected from importers. The Board contends that the additional revenue is required to sustain and expand its promotion, research, and communications programs.
Importers/Handlers of Less than 500,000 lbs of Mango Still Exempt
First handlers and importers who market or import less than 500,000 pounds of mangos annually continue to be exempt from the assessment.
(See ITT's Online Archives 11051107 for summary of AMS' proposed rule, which was adopted unchanged in this final rule.)