Jimmie Turner (202) 720-8998 jimmie.turner@ams.usda.gov
WASHINGTON, June 3, 2010 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture today issued a final rule that amends the member provisions of the Blueberry Promotion, Research and Information Order.
The rule – reflecting changes in the quantity of highbush blueberry imports in the past three years – adds two importer members and their alternates to the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council. The change was proposed by the council in accordance with the provisions of the Blueberry Promotion, Research, and Information Order which is authorized by the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996.
The order requires that the council review the geographical distribution of U.S. production and the quantity of imports of highbush blueberries at least every five years. As a result of these changes, the total membership will increase from 14 to 16 members and their alternates. In addition, this rule increases the quorum minimum from seven to nine members.
The reallocation of membership for the program will be published in the June 3, 2010, Federal Register, and posted electronically on the Internet at http://www.ams.usda.gov/FVPromotion and http://www.regulations.gov.
For more information, contact Jeanette Palmer, Research and Promotion Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 0635, Stop 0244, Washington, DC 20250-0244; by phone (888) 720-9917; or by e-mail to Jeanette.Palmer@ams.usda.gov.
USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service monitors the operations of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council in accordance with the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996. The Council administers an industry-funded national research and promotion program to maintain and expand markets for highbush blueberries.
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