USDA hearing for pecan grower marketing order

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will hold three public hearings on a proposed federal marketing order for pecans grown in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas.

A request for a public hearing on the proposed program was submitted by the American Pecan Board, the proponent group representing growers and handlers throughout the proposed fifteen-state production area. The proposed order would authorize data collection, research and promotion activities, and grade, size, quality, pack and container regulation. If implemented, an administrative council of 17 grower and handler representatives, including designated representation for small businesses, would be established. The program would be financed with assessments collected from handlers handling pecans grown within the proposed production area.

The hearings are open to the public and scheduled to begin at each location at 8:00 a.m. and conclude at 5:00 p.m. (local time), or any other time as determined by the presiding administrative law judge.

An electronic version of this news release can be obtained by clicking here.

For more information:
Hakim Fobia
USDA
Tel: +1 (202) 690-0488
Email: Hakim.fobia@ams.usda.gov
www.ams.usda.gov