The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that US highbush blueberry producers and importers have voted to continue the Blueberry Promotion, Research and Information Order.
Following a referendum conducted by the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service between 5 July and 26 July this year, some 88 per cent of eligible voters – representing 98 per cent of the volume of blueberries produced or imported by those voting – backed the programme.
With a majority of votes and a majority of the overall blueberry volume, the referendum passed, USDA said.
Research and promotion programmes are self-help initiatives that are funded through member assessments and administered by board members selected by the Secretary of Agriculture, allowing commodity groups to conduct promotion, market and production research and new product development.
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