Source: USDA, 10/22/15

Today the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a recommended decision and asked for public comment on a proposed federal marketing order over the handling of pecans grown in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas.  The proposed program would authorize data collection; research and promotion activities; and grade, size, quality, pack, and container regulations.

The recommended decision is built on the record from public hearings held in New Mexico, Texas, and Georgia in July 2015 at the request of the American Pecan Board.  The goal of the program is to provide a consistent supply of quality pecans for consumers while increasing demand, stabilize grower prices, and creating sustainable handler margins.  The program would be financed with assessments collected from handlers of pecans grown within the proposed production area.

Notice of the recommended decision will be published soon in the Federal Register.  Any comments on USDA’s recommended decision must be received within 30 days of the Federal Register publication date.

USDA will analyze any comments and exceptions received before deciding whether to move forward with a Secretary’s decision in favor of establishing the marketing order.  If the Secretary’s decision supports proceeding, the proposed program must still be approved by at least two-thirds of the growers voting in a referendum.  If that happens, USDA will issue a final order implementing the program.

Federal marketing orders help producers and handlers in a specific production area work together to solve marketing challenges.  USDA oversees the programs, including review of budgets, plans and projects.  Authority for federal marketing orders rests in the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937.

For more information, contact Melissa Schmaedick, Senior Marketing Specialist, or Michelle P. Sharrow, Branch Chief, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA; Telephone: (202) 720-2491, or email: Melissa.Schmaedick@ams.usda.gov, or Michelle.Sharrow@ams.usda.gov.