Jimmie Turner (202) 720-8998jimmie.turner@ams.usda.govBilly Cox (202) 720-8998billy.cox@ams.usda.gov
WASHINGTON, Feb. 19, 2010 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture will conduct a referendum on proposed amendments to the federal marketing order regulating the handling of kiwifruit grown in California.
The referendum will be held March 12-26, 2010, to determine support for the amendments. Ballot materials will be mailed to all known growers eligible to participate in the referendum. To be eligible to vote, a grower must have produced kiwifruit in California during the representative period of Aug. 1, 2008, through July 31, 2009.
The proposed amendments are based on the record and evidence presented at a public hearing held Dec. 9, 2008, in Modesto, Ca. The proposed amendments submitted by the Kiwifruit Administrative Committee, which administers the order locally, would:
-- consolidate and redefine the grower representation districts specified under the order;
-- authorize the committee to recommend and establish production research and market development projects; and
-- update committee administrative procedures to reflect current industry practices.
The proposed amendments would become effective only if approved either by two-thirds of the growers voting in the referendum, or by those representing at least two-thirds of the kiwifruit grown by those voting in the referendum. Authority for marketing orders rests in the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937.
The marketing order authorizes grade, size, pack, container and container marking requirements for California Kiwifruit.
Notice of the referendum will be published in the Feb. 23, 2010, Federal Register. USDA will mail ballots and voting instructions to all eligible growers of record. Eligible growers not receiving ballots may request them from Kurt Kimmel at USDA’s California Marketing Field Office, 2202 Monterey Street, Fresno, CA, 93721; by calling (559) 487-5901; or faxing (559) 487-5906.
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