Some Organic Growers Exempted From Levies

WASHINGTON - Jan 13/05 - SNS -- Some organic producers and marketers will not have to pay assessments under research and promotion programs, and for market promotion activities under marketing order programs under changes approved by the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service.

The change will exempt producers and marketers operating under a National Organic Program-approved organic system plan from paying assessments, provided they produce and market only commodities eligible for a '100% organic' label.

The 2002 Farm Bill directed USDA to issue regulations exempting any person who produces and markets solely 100% organic products from paying assessments under a commodity promotion law.

Currently, 17 national research and promotion programs exist for blueberries, beef, cotton, dairy, eggs, fluid milk, Hass avocados, honey, lamb, mangos, mushrooms, peanuts, popcorn, pork, potatoes, soybeans and watermelons. Eligible producers and marketers will be exempt from all assessments under these programs.

Under the marketing order programs, eligible producers and marketers will only be exempt from assessments for market promotion activities. The 28 marketing order programs that have market promotion authority are Texas citrus; Florida avocados; California nectarines; California peaches and pears; Washington apricots; Washington sweet cherries; Washington/Oregon fresh prunes; Southeastern California grapes; Oregon/Washington winter pears; cranberries; tart cherries; Oregon/Washington Bartlett pears; California olives; Oregon/California potatoes; Colorado potatoes; Georgia Vidalia onions; Washington/Oregon Walla Walla onions; Idaho/Eastern Oregon onions; Texas onions; Florida tomatoes; Texas melons; California almonds; Oregon/Washington hazelnuts; California walnuts; Far West spearmint oil; California dates; California raisins; and California dried prunes.

Details of the exemptions, including application procedures, will be available in the "Rules" section of the Jan. 14 Federal Register. Eligible persons should contact their board, council or committee for additional information.

The new Final Rule to Exempt Organic Producers from Assessment by Research and Promotion Programs, and related information is available at:

http://www.ams.usda.gov/2002farmbill/organicexempt.

The new Final Rule to Exempt Organic Producers and Marketers from Assessments for Market Promotion Activities under Marketing Order Programs, and related information is available at:

http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/mocommodities/marketingorderorganicexemption.htm.