USDA Seeks To Amend Pear Order

WASHINGTON - Jan 11/05 - SNS -- The USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service is seeking comments on a recommended decision to amend Marketing Order No. 927 which regulates winter pears grown in Oregon and Washington. Comments must be received by Feb. 14.

The recommended decision is based on the hearing record and evidence presented at a USDA public hearing held on April 13 and 14, 2004, in Yakima, Wash., and April 16, 2004, in Portland, Ore. The proposed amendments were jointly submitted by the Winter Pear Control Committee and the Northwest Fresh Bartlett Marketing Committee, which are responsible for local administration of orders 927 and 931, respectively. Marketing Agreement and Order No. 931 regulates the handling of fresh Bartlett pears grown in Oregon and Washington.

The amendments would combine the two fresh pear marketing orders under a single program, marketing order 927, and extend coverage to pears for processing. Authority to establish minimum quality and size requirements for fresh pears would continue while processing pears would only be subject to assessments for research and promotion.

The amended program would be administered by two committees: the Fresh Pear Committee and the Processing Pear Committee. Other sections of the order would also be revised to reflect the proposed dual committee structure.

After USDA evaluates any comments submitted, it will determine whether or not to proceed to the next stage, which is a producer referendum to determine support for the proposed amendments. The proposed amendments would become effective only if approved either by two-thirds of the producers voting in the referendum or by those representing at least two-thirds of the pears grown by those voting in the referendum. The Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 authorizes such orders.

The recommended decision will be published in the Jan. 14 Federal Register. Copies may be obtained by mail from Melissa Schmaedick, AMS Fruit and Vegetable Programs, P.O. Box 1035, Moab, UT 84532 or by telephone at (435) 259-7988, or by mail from Teresa Hutchinson, USDA Northwest Marketing Field Office, Room 385, 1220 Third Ave. SW, Portland, OR 97204, by telephone at (503) 326-2724 or by fax at (503) 326-7440. An electronic version of the recommended decision document can be obtained via the Internet at: http://www.nara.gov/fedreg/.