[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 195 (Tuesday, October 10, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 59363]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-16636]



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  Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 195 / Tuesday, October 10, 2006 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 59363]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 1218

[Doc. No. FV-06-705-Notice]


Blueberry Promotion, Research, and Information Order; Results of 
Continuance Referendum

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Continuance Referendum Results.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service's Continuance Referendum 
shows that cultivated blueberry producers and importers favor the 
continuation of the Blueberry Promotion, Research, and Information 
Order (Order). The Continuance Referendum was held from August 1, 2006, 
through August 22, 2006. The Department of Agriculture (Department) 
will continue the Order if it is favored by a majority of producers and 
importers voting, who also represent a majority of the volume of 
blueberries represented in the referendum. The results of the 
continuance referendum shows 86.9% (293) of producers and importers, 
who also represent 93.9% (100,685,843 pounds) of the volume of 
blueberries represented in the referendum, favor the continuance of the 
Order.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Deborah S. Simmons, Research and 
Promotion Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing 
Service, USDA, Stop 0244, Room 0635-S, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20250-0244, telephone 888-720-9917 (toll free), Fax 202-
205-2800, e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Commodity Promotion, 
Research, and Information Act of 1996 [Pub. L. 104-427, 7 U.S.C. 7401-
7425] (Act), a referendum is to be conducted not later than seven years 
after assessments first begin under an order to ascertain whether 
continuance of the Order is favored by producers and importers of 
blueberries. The Order is authorized under the Act.
    The initial referendum was conducted during the period of March 13 
through April 14, 2000. The final results of the initial referendum 
were that 67.84 percent of the voters in the referendum favored 
implementation of the Order. Those voting in favor represented 73.15 
percent of the volume represented in the referendum. Therefore, the 
Order became effective July 17, 2000.
    Under section 1218.71 of the Order, the Department is authorized to 
conduct a referendum every five years or when 10 percent or more of the 
eligible voters petition the Secretary of Agriculture to hold a 
referendum to determine if persons subject to assessment favor 
continuance of the Order. The Department would continue the Order if 
continuance of the Order is approved by a majority of the producers and 
importers voting in the referendum who also represent a majority of the 
volume of blueberries produced or imported during the representative 
period determined by the Secretary.
    A notice of a Continuance Referendum was publicized in the Federal 
Register on May 26, 2006, at 71 FR 30317. Blueberry producers and 
importers who were engaged in the production or importation of 
blueberries and paid assessments during the representative period 
between November 1, 2004, and October 31, 2005, were eligible to vote. 
Persons who received an exemption from assessments for the entire 
representative period were ineligible to vote. The referendum was 
conducted by mail from August 1, 2006, through August 22, 2006.
    The results of the continuance referendum shows 86.9% (293) of 
producers and importers, who also represent 93.9% (100,685,843 pounds) 
of the volume of blueberries represented in the referendum, favor the 
continuance of the Order. This is a majority of producers and 
importers, who also represent a majority of the volume of blueberries 
represented in the referendum. Therefore, based on the Continuance 
Referendum results, the Order shall continue. In accordance with the 
provisions of the Order, blueberry producers and importers will be 
provided another opportunity to participate in a continuance referendum 
in five years.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 7401-7425.

    Dated: October 3, 2006.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-16636 Filed 10-6-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P