U.S. Blueberry Marketing Order Maintained

WASHINGTON - Oct 6/06 - SNS -- A majority of producers and importers of cultivated blueberries voted to retain the Blueberry Promotion, Research, and Information Order in a referendum conducted by USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) between August 1 and 22.

In the referendum, 86.9% of those who voted favored continuation of the order. Those who voted in favor represent 93.9% of the volume of cultivated blueberries represented in the referendum.

Any current producer or importer of 2,000 pounds or more of cultivated blueberries during the representative period Nov. 1, 2004 through Oct. 31, 2005, was eligible to vote. Therefore, based on the continuance referendum results, the order will continue. The notice of the results of the continuance referendum will be published in the Oct. 10, 2006, Federal Register.

The program is funded by an assessment of $12 per ton of domestic cultivated blueberries, and $12 per ton of fresh and processed imported cultivated blueberries.

The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, made up of 13 members and their alternates who are appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture, will continue to administer the Blueberry Promotion, Research, and Information Order under the supervision of AMS.

The order, which became effective on July 17, 2000, authorizes the council to conduct a coordinated program of promotion, research, and consumer and industry information in order to maintain and expand the market for cultivated blueberries. Assessment obligations under the program began on Jan.1, 2001.