[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 7, Volume 10]
[Revised as of January 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 7CFR1210.341]

[Page 103-104]
 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
  CHAPTER XI--AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (MARKETING AGREEMENTS AND 
      ORDERS; MISCELLANEOUS COMMODITIES), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 
PART 1210_WATERMELON RESEARCH AND PROMOTION PLAN--Table of Contents
 
            Subpart A_Watermelon Research and Promotion Plan
 
Sec.  1210.341  Assessments.

    (a) During the effective period of this subpart, assessments shall 
be levied on all watermelons produced and first handled in the United 
States and all watermelons imported into the United States for 
consumption as human food. No more than one assessment on a producer, 
handler, or importer shall be made on any lot of watermelons. The 
handler shall be assessed an equal amount on a per unit basis as the 
producer. If a person performs both producing and handling functions on 
any same lot of watermelons, both assessments shall be paid by such 
person. In the case of an importer, the assessment

[[Page 104]]

shall be equal to the combined rate for domestic producers and handlers 
and shall be paid by the importer at the time of entry of the 
watermelons into the United States.
    (b) Assessment rates shall be fixed by the Secretary in accordance 
with section 1647(f) of the Act. No assessments shall be levied on 
watermelons grown by producers of less than 10 acres of watermelons.
    (c) Each handler, as defined, is responsible for payment to the 
Board of both the producer's and the handler's assessment pursuant to 
regulations issued hereunder. The handler may collect producer 
assessments from the producer or deduct such assessments from the 
proceeds paid to the producer on whose watermelons the assessments are 
made. The handler shall maintain separate records for each producer's 
watermelons handled, including watermelons produced by said handler. In 
addition, the handler shall indicate the total quantity of watermelons 
handled by the handler, including those that are exempt under this Plan, 
and such other information as may be prescribed by the Board.
    (d) Each importer shall be responsible for payment of the assessment 
to the Board on watermelons imported into the United States through the 
U.S. Customs Service or in such other manner as may be established by 
rules and regulations approved by the Secretary.
    (e) Producer-handlers and handlers shall pay assessments to the 
Board at such time and in such manner as the Board, with the Secretary's 
approval, directs, pursuant to regulations issued under this part. Such 
regulations may provide for different handlers or classes of handlers 
and different handler payment and reporting schedules to recognize 
differences in marketing practices or procedures used in any State or 
production area.
    (f) There shall be a late payment charge imposed on any handler or 
importer who fails to remit to the Board the total amount for which any 
such handler or importer is liable on or before the payment due date 
established by the Board under paragraph (e) of this section. The amount 
of the late payment charge shall be set by the Board subject to approval 
by the Secretary.
    (g) There shall also be imposed on any handler or importer subject 
to a late payment charge, an additional charge in the form of interest 
on the outstanding portion of any amount for which the handler or 
importer is liable. The rate of such interest shall be prescribed by the 
Board subject to approval by the Secretary.
    (h) The Board is hereby authorized to accept advance payment of 
assessments by handlers and importers that shall be credited toward any 
amount for which the handlers and importers may become liable. The Board 
shall not be obligated to pay interest on any advance payment.
    (i) The Board is hereby authorized to borrow money for the payment 
of administrative expenses subject to the same fiscal, budget, and audit 
controls as other funds of the Board.
    (j) The Board may authorize other organizations to collect 
assessments in its behalf with the approval of the Secretary. Any 
reimbursement by the Board for such services shall be based on 
reasonable charges for services rendered.

[54 FR 24545, June 8, 1989, as amended at 60 FR 10798, Feb. 28, 1995]