The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking comments on establishing a Pecan Promotion, Research and Information Order.
The organization would have a 17-member board, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The board would be responsible for plans and projects for promotions, research, information and education to expand markets for pecans, according to the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, which has jurisdiction over marketing orders and promotion and research orders.
U.S. growers and importers of pecans would pay an initial assessment of two cents a pound on inshell pecans and four cents a pound for shelled pecans.
“Handlers would collect assessments from producers based on pounds of pecans received and importers would pay assessments on pecans when they enter the United States,” according to the release.
Growers and importers who produce/import less than 50,000 pounds of inshell pecans, 25,000 pounds of shelled pecans, or a combination of the two, on average for four fiscal periods will be exempt from the assessment.
The proposed program was published in the Federal Register on Sept. 22; comments will be accepted until Nov. 23 to complete the 60-day comment period.
