California Raisin Producers Endorse Amendments to Federal Marketing Order
CALIFORNIA – A decisive majority of California raisin producers have cast their votes in favor of four pivotal amendments to the federal marketing order governing the management of raisins derived from the state’s grapes.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has unveiled the outcome of the referendum, which was conducted from January 12 to January 30.
The Raisin Administrative Committee is tasked with overseeing this marketing order, which empowers the enforcement of quality regulations alongside research and promotional initiatives for California-produced raisins.
For the amendments to be ratified, they required the support of at least two-thirds of the producers who participated in the voting, or two-thirds of the production volume represented. Ultimately, four amendments received the necessary approval.
The first amendment proposes a significant reduction in the committee membership, decreasing its size from 47 to 21 members and alternates.
It eliminates district representation, introduces a seat for a non-affiliated producer, abolishes the designated cooperative bargaining association member position, and diminishes the quorum threshold from 25 to 14.
This change was endorsed by 76.25% of participating raisin producers, who represented 82.66% of the total production volume in the referendum.
The second amendment abolishes the requirement for separate nominations for independent producers and those linked with small cooperative marketing associations.
This amendment garnered support from 67.50% of participating raisin producers, reflecting 81.65% of the production volume that participated in the vote.
The third amendment eliminates factor 4 and part of factor 5 used in establishing marketing policy, while additionally clarifying the quality standards for reconditioned raisins.
This proposal received the backing of 81.25% of the voting raisin producers, corresponding to an impressive 91.99% of the production volume involved in the referendum.
The fourth amendment confers the authority to accept voluntary contributions and introduces language pertaining to the ownership of intellectual property.
This amendment attracted the support of 72.97% of voting raisin producers, representing 87.75% of the production volume that participated in the vote.
Marketing orders are industry-centric initiatives authorized by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, enabling producers and handlers to attain marketing effectiveness by pooling their resources to implement programs they would be unable to execute individually.
The Agricultural Marketing Service plays a critical role in providing oversight for fruit, vegetable, and specialty crop marketing orders and agreements, ensuring financial accountability and the integrity of the programs.
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