The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that the assessment requirements in the Processed Raspberry Promotion, Research and Information Order will be terminated effective Feb. 21, 2019, as part of procedures to end the Processed Raspberry Research and Promotion Program. The program, which became effective on May 9, 2012, was developed to expand the market and uses of processed raspberries.
The termination is a result of a referendum held Sept. 10 - Oct. 5, 2018, in which 57 percent of the eligible voters favored terminating the program. The referendum was conducted after USDA received a petition supported by more than the required 10 percent of eligible producers and importers.
The final rule terminating assessments was published in the Federal Register on Feb. 20, 2019.
The remaining provisions of the order will be terminated as soon as practicable. Trustees have been appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture to dispose of all the Council’s assets.
Since 1966, Congress has authorized 22 industry-funded research and promotion boards to provide a framework for agricultural industries to pool their resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets and conduct important research and promotion activities. AMS provides oversight, paid for by industry assessments, which helps ensure fiscal accountability and program integrity.
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