Washington - Pear producers in two states will vote from Feb. 15 through March 1, 2017, on whether to continue their Federal marketing order.
Producers who have produced pears in Oregon and Washington from July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016, are eligible to vote. A continuance referendum is required within every six years.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) would consider terminating the marketing order if continuance is not favored by a two-thirds majority of voting producers and a two-thirds majority of the volume of pears represented in the referendum.
The pear marketing order provides authority for regulations including grade, size and quality; inspection; and research projects. The Fresh Pear and Processed Pear Committees locally administer the marketing order.
Notice of the referendum was published in the.
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will mail ballots and voting instructions to all producers of record. Eligible producers who do not receive ballots may contact Teresa Hutchinson or Gary D. Olson by mail at Northwest Marketing Field Office, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA; by telephone: (503) 326-2724, by fax: (503) 326-7440, or e‑mail: Teresa.Hutchinson@ams.usda.gov or GaryD.Olson@ams.usda.gov.
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service
