Upon termination of this article, and based upon a recommendation of the committee subject to approval by the secretary, any collected assessments not required to defray financial obligations incurred pursuant to this article shall be returned on a pro rata basis to all persons from whom assessments were collected during the marketing season immediately preceding the date of termination or paid to any existing state or federal program engaged in citrus specific pest and disease prevention activities. The assessments refunded to handlers shall be paid to producers if the assessment was previously deducted from moneys owed to the producer by the handler.