Gwen Sparks, (202) 260-8210gwen.sparks@ams.usda.gov
WASHINGTON, Nov. 6, 2013 –– Kiwifruit growers in California have voted to amend their federal marketing order program.
During a U.S. Department of Agriculture referendum held Aug. 26, 2013 through Sept. 6, 2013, growers voted in favor of all five amendments recommended by the Kiwifruit Administrative Committee.
The amendments, which received the required approval from two-thirds of producers voting or producers accounting for at least two-thirds of the volume of kiwifruit represented, will authorize the committee to:* Conduct production and postharvest research to assist or improve the efficient production and postharvest handling of kiwifruit
* Establish marketing research and development programs that promote, assist, or improve the marketing, distribution, and consumption of kiwifruit
* Receive and expend voluntary contributions for kiwifruit market development projects, market research, and production and postharvest research
* Amend procedures to specify that recommendations for production research and market development be approved by eight members of the committee, and
* Clarify provisions regarding the service of alternate members
Notice of the referendum was published in the Aug. 2, 2013, Federal Register. Ballot materials were mailed to all known eligible producers producing kiwifruit between Aug.1, 2012 through July 31, 2013. A final rule implementing the amendments will be published in a future issue of the Federal Register.
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