WASHINGTON, March 13, 2014 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that South Texas onion producers will vote from May 12 - 27, 2014, on whether to continue their federal marketing order.
The marketing order requires that a continuance referendum be held every six years. To be eligible to vote, producers must have produced onions within the designated production area in Texas during the period Aug. 1, 2012, through Jul. 31, 2013.
USDA would consider continuing the marketing order if two-thirds of the growers, or growers representing two-thirds of the volume of Texas onions in the referendum, vote in favor of continuance. Notice of the referendum will be published in the March 14, 2014, Federal Register.
AMS will mail ballots and voting instructions to all producers of record. Eligible producers not receiving ballots may request them from Christian D. Nissen, Regional Director; USDA AMS FV Southeast Marketing Field Office, 799 Overlook Drive, Winter Haven, FL 33884; phone: (863) 324-3375; fax (863) 325-8793; email: Christian.Nissen@ams.usda.gov.
Get the latest Agricultural Marketing Service news at www.ams.usda.gov/news or follow us on Twitter @USDA_AMS. You can also read about us on the USDA blog.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).