Oregon And Washington Pear Growers Vote To Continue Marketing Order
April 28, 2011 The USDA announced this week that pear growers in Oregon and Washington voted to continue their federal marketing order program by a huge margin.
The continuation of the marketing order was favored by 96% of pear growers voting in the referendum, representing 88% of the volume produced. The fact that nearly 90% of the crop was represented is critical, as some marketing orders in recent times have been vetoed by large growers who may be in the minority, but represent a large percentage of overall production. For example, marketing orders for peaches and nectarines were recently voted out by California growers, despite the fact that they were supported by the majority of growers.
Northwest pear growers, however, apparently place a high value on their marketing order. “Pears are an important part of the produce industry and this continuance will help provide opportunities to expand pear markets and help growers thrive,” said Administrator Rayne Pegg of the Agricultural Marketing Service, which oversees marketing orders at USDA. “Everyone benefits from improved quality standards, especially consumers.”
The marketing order requires that a continuance referendum be held within every six-year period. The USDA would consider terminating the marketing order if less than a two-thirds majority of growers voting, by number and production volume, favor continuance. The marketing order authorizes the establishment of minimum quality and size requirements for fresh pears and the collection of assessments for pear research and promotion.
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