Hakim Fobia (202)690-0488hakim.fobia@ams.usda.gov
WASHINGTON, Feb. 16, 2011 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced today that Oregon and Washington pear growers will vote from Feb. 26 through March 11, 2011, on whether to continue their federal marketing order.
The marketing order requires that a continuance referendum be held within every six-year period. To be eligible to vote, growers must have grown pears in Oregon or Washington during the period July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2010.
For the marketing order to continue, at least two-thirds of the pear growers voting in the referendum or growers representing two-thirds of the volume of pears represented in the referendum must vote in favor of the marketing order.
Notice of the referendum will be published in the Feb.16, 2011, Federal Register.
AMS will mail ballots and voting instructions to all growers of record. Eligible growers not receiving ballots may request them from Gary D. Olson, Regional Manager, USDA AMS FV Northwest Marketing Field Office, 805 SW Broadway, Suite 930, Portland OR 97205; by calling (503) 362-2724; or faxing (503) 326-7440.
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