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South Texas onion growers will get a second chance to determine their need for a marketing order assessed on their onions in a second referendum from Sept. 1 – Oct. 3 to determine whether they wish to continue their marketing order.
While marketing orders set money aside for marketing products, they also have ancillary benefits of setting grading standards throughout the country during a set period of time. Those standards apply to imported onions, as well. After a 2020 referendum failed to reach the two thirds vote required to continue the marketing order, the USDA decided to discontinue the order.
Referendums are conducted every six years, but with the majority of comments received by the USDA favoring the marketing order, the Ag Department announced in May it would conduct another referendum.
“To assess the true level of producer support for the program, the Secretary of Agriculture has determined that a second referendum is appropriate,” the USDA said. The USDA announced the new vote on July 8 for all who were eligible to vote in the first referendum. It will mail ballots through U.S. mail, United Parcel Service or through electronic mail to all producers of record.
AMS will provide an option to return ballots electronically. Eligible producers who do not receive a ballot by Sept. 1 should contact Abigail Maharaj at Abigail.Campos@usda.gov or by phone at (863) 324-2145.
Fax your requests for a ballot to (863) 291-8614 or mail to USDA, AMS, 1124 First Street South; Winter Haven, Fla., 33880.
More information about the marketing order regulating the handling of South Texas onions is available HERE.
SOURCE: NOA
