Hakim Fobia (202)690-0488hakim.fobia@ams.usda.gov
WASHINGTON, April 25, 2011 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced that pear growers in Oregon and Washington voted to continue their federal marketing order program.
The continuation of the marketing order was favored by 96 percent of pear growers voting in the referendum, representing 88 percent of the volume produced.
“Pears are an important part of the produce industry and this continuance will help provide opportunities to expand pear markets and help growers thrive,” said Administrator Rayne Pegg of the Agricultural Marketing Service, which oversees marketing orders at USDA. “Everyone benefits from improved quality standards, especially consumers.”
The marketing order requires that a continuance referendum be held within every six-year period. USDA would consider terminating the marketing order if less than a two-thirds majority of growers voting, by number and production volume, favor continuance. The marketing order authorizes the establishment of minimum quality and size requirements for fresh pears and the collection of assessments for pear research and promotion.
#
Follow us on Twitter to receive the latest press releases, stories, and important updates about the Agricultural Marketing Service at http://twitter.com/USDA_AMS_NEWS.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272(voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).