WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that kiwifruit producers will conduct a referendum on proposed amendments to the Federal Marketing Order for kiwifruit grown in California.
The referendum, scheduled for August 26 to September 6, 2013, will gauge voter support for five proposed amendments recommended by the Kiwifruit Administrative Committee (Committee). A proposed rule will be issued in the Federal Register on August 2, 2013. Beginning August 19, USDA will mail ballot materials to all known growers who produced kiwifruit in California between August 1, 2012, and July 31, 2013.
If approved by voters, the proposed amendments would provide authority to: recommend and conduct production and postharvest research; recommend and conduct market research and development projects; receive and expend voluntary contributions; specify that recommendations for production research and market development be approved by eight members of the Committee; and update provisions regarding alternate members’ service on the Committee.
The amendments will become effective if either two-thirds of the growers voting, or producers accounting for two-thirds of the volume of kiwifruit represented in the referendum, vote to approve the amendments.
USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will mail ballots and voting instructions to all eligible growers of record. Eligible growers who do not receive a ballot may contact Rose Aguayo or Kathie Notoro at USDA’s California Marketing Field Office, 2202 Monterey Street, Fresno, Calif. 93721; phone: (559) 487-5901; fax (559) 487-5906.
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Source: USDA Agricultural Marketing Service