Fresh pear continuation referendum passes with 99% approval

Pear producers in Washington and Oregon have elected to continue their federal marketing order this year with a 99% approval vote.

Pear growers have the opportunity to vote every six years on whether or not to continue the marketing order, according to a news release. For the marketing order to continue, two-thirds or more of producers voting or producers representing two-thirds or more of the volume voted needed to vote in favor of continuance. 

Federal Marketing Order 927, established in 1939, is the oldest continuously running federal order in the country, Kevin Moffitt, manager of the Fresh Pear Committee of Marketing Order 927 and president and CEO of Pear Bureau Northwest, said in the release.

“We are pleased to gain the continued support and confidence of our grower members,” Moffitt said. “While the votes in favor of continuation have been in the mid- to high 90% range in the last four referendums since I assumed the leadership role of the marketing order 22 years ago, this vote, with 99% approval, is the best result in the history of the order.”

 The marketing order enables the industry to conduct production and marketing research, and promotional initiatives as well as setting regulations to help ensure the best eating quality for pears, all under USDA’s oversight, the release said.

The Fresh Pear Committee, made up of elected pear growers and shippers from all four growing districts, has the authority to set the assessment rates each year that support consumer and pear agricultural research as well as advertising and promotion. The advertising and promotion funds are passed through to the Pear Bureau Northwest who conducts marketing programs to help increase consumption in the U.S. and worldwide, the release said.