Release No.: 003-16
WASHINGTON, March 7, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will conduct a referendum on proposed amendments to the federal marketing order for raisins produced from grapes grown in California.
The referendum is scheduled for March 9 through March 23, 2016, and will gauge voter support for two proposed amendments recommended by the Raisin Administrative Committee (Committee). On March 9, 2016, USDA will mail ballot materials to all known producers that produced raisins from grapes grown in the designated area between Aug. 1, 2014, and July 31, 2015.
A proposed rule regarding the amendments was published in the Federal Register on Oct. 16, 2015. If approved by voters, these proposed amendments would provide the Committee with authority to:
- Borrow from a commercial lending institution;
- Establish a monetary reserve fund not to exceed one fiscal year’s expenses.
The proposed amendments will become effective only if approved by either two-thirds of the producers voting in the referendum, or by those representing at least two-thirds of the volume of raisins produced by those voting in the referendum.
Notice of the referendum published today in the Federal Register, March 7, 2016.
AMS will mail ballots and voting instructions to all eligible producers on record. Eligible producers who do not receive a ballot may contact Maria Stobbe or Andrea Ricci at USDA’s California Marketing Field Office, 2202 Monterey Street, Fresno, Calif. 93721; Telephone: (559) 487-5901; Fax (559) 487-5906.
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