Marketing Order Referendum For Tart Cherries Approved

The USDA will amend the federal marketing order regulating tart cherries grown in Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.
 
During a recent referendum, eligible growers and processors favored amendments recommended by the Cherry Industry Administrative Board. To be adopted, two-thirds of growers voting, or those representing at least two-thirds of the volume of cherries, must approve the proposed modifications. Additionally, processors freezing or canning more than 50% of the total volume of tart cherries must also favor the proposed changes.  
 
The amendments passed, with eligible growers — 95% by vote and 97% by volume — along with processors representing more than 88% of canned or frozen tart cherries, voting in favor of the modifications.  
 
The amendments will revise:  
• The term “handle” to ensure that acquisition of grower diversion certificates are not considered handling
• The order’s marketing policy provisions so that grower-diverted cherries are not counted as production in the volume control formula
• The grower diversion privilege provisions so that grower-diverted cherries are not treated as actual harvested cherries.
 
“The industry’s favorable vote shows that they find value in the marketing order and the opportunities it provides in expanding the tart cherry market and helping local growers,” said Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Deputy Administrator for the Fruit and Vegetable Program, Robert Keeney.
 
Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin growers and processors who produced or processed tart cherries between July 1, 2010, and June 30, 2011 were eligible to vote in the March 2012 referendum.  
 
Notice of the referendum was published in the March 5, 2012, Federal Register. The amendments become effective once the final rule is published in the Federal Register.