USDA establishes Pecan Promotion, Research and Information order

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has established the Pecan Promotion, Research and Information Order.

The order becomes effective on Feb. 12. Starting Oct. 1, domestic producers and importers will be assessed two cents a pound for inshell pecans, and four cents a pound on shelled pecans, according to a news release from the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, which oversees promotion and research orders as well as marketing orders.

A 17-member board will be appointed by the USDA, which will be contacting eligible importers to solicit nominees. The American Pecan Council, which is a 17-member marketing order, will submit nominees for producer seats on the board; future nominations will go through the promotion and research board, according to a news release.

Domestic producers and importers who grow or import an average of less than 50,000 of inshell pecans and 25,000 pounds of shelled pecans (or a combination of the two) over four fiscal periods are exempt from assessments.

The USDA-AMS published the final rule on the Pecan Promotion, Research and Information Order on Jan. 13.