Honey Order Changes Proposed

February 28, 2000

USDA is seeking public comment on a proposal to amend the honey research, promotion and consumer information order. Some changes must be approved by producers, packers, handlers and importers in a referendum; other changes are required by law and will be implemented regardless of a referendum.

Included in the proposal are suggested changes in board composition, voting requirements and nomination procedures. In addition, assessments for domestic producers would be decreased from 1.0 cent to 0.75 cents per pound , while assessments on imports would increase from 1.0 cent to 1.5 cents per pound. A new assessment of 0.75 cents per pound would be charged to handlers of honey and honey products. Also, the proposal provides authority to establish a quality assurance regulatory program and to allocate 8% of yearly assessments to production research.

The proposed rule will be published in today’s (Feb. 28) Federal Register. Comments must be received by April 28 and be mailed in triplicate to the Research and Promotion Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, Stop 0244, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-0244 or e-mailed to malinda.farmer@usda.gov.

Copies of the proposed rule may be requested from the same address or viewed on the Internet at www.ams.usda.gov/fv/rpdocketlist.htm.