Growers Vote On Fresh Citrus Order

Last week, USDA announced the results of a producer referendum regarding amendment of the federal marketing order for fresh oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and tangelos grown in Florida.
Amendments were proposed by the Citrus Administrative Committee, which is responsible for local administration of the order. Voters favored all of the amendment proposals.
When implemented, these amendments will:

• Authorize the establishment of research and promotion projects;
• Reduce mandatory cooperative representation on the committee; and
• Make changes to improve efficient administration of the order.

The referendum was held May 4-18, 2009. In order to be eligible to vote, growers must have produced fresh oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, or tangelos within the production area during the representative period of Aug. 1, 2007, through July 31, 2008. Ballots representing 421 fresh citrus growers, who produced 85% of Florida’s 2007-2008 fresh citrus volume, were returned.
In order to pass, amendments must be approved by either two-thirds of the growers voting in the referendum, or by those representing two-thirds of the regulated citrus produced by those participating in the referendum. Three amendments were approved by 95% of voters representing 99% of volume. The fourth amendment was approved by 88% of voters representing 49% of volume.
Notice of the referendum was published in the April 13, 2009, Federal Register. A final rule concerning these amendments will also be published in a future issue of the Federal Register.