|
Secretary Vilsack Names Members to the Hass Avocado Board [ October 27, 2014, News Release]
USDA Seeks nominees for the Hass Avocado Board [ March 17, 2014, News Release]
Hass Avocado Board Members and Alternates Appointed [ October 31, 2013, News Release]
Hass Avocado Promotion, Research, and Information Order; Importer Associations and Assessment Computation. Docket Number: AMS-FV-10-0063. EFFECTIVE: April 27, 2011. [ Notice] [ Computation]
Hass Avocado Promotion, Research, and Information Order; Section 610 Review. Docket Number: AMS-FV-10-0007. EFFECTIVE: October 06, 2010. [ Notice]
The Hass Avocado Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 2000 (Act) [7 U.S.C. 7801-7813] was signed into law on October 23, 2000. Subsequently, AMS received a proposal from the California Avocado Commission (CAC), representing the domestic Hass avocado industry, and partial proposals from several organizations representing Hass avocados grown in other countries. AMS conducted notice-and-comment rulemaking on the Hass Avocado Promotion, Research, and Information Order (Order) [7 CFR Part 1219] and a referendum was conducted June 24 – July 12, 2002. The Order was approved by a simple majority of the registered producers and importers voting in the referendum. A final rule to implement the program was issued on September 6, 2002, the Order became effective on September 9, 2002, and assessment collections began on January 2, 2003.
The purpose of the program is to increase consumption of Hass avocados in the United States. The program covers fresh domestic and imported Hass avocados. Exports of domestic Hass avocados are exempt from assessments. The assessment rate is 2.5 cents per pound. The rate may be raised up to a maximum of 5 cents per pound.
The Hass Avocado Board (Board) must provide 85 percent of domestic assessments to the CAC and up to 85 percent of importer assessments to importer associations. Pursuant to § 1219.58(c) of the Order, USDA has certified three avocado importer associations: the Chilean Avocado Importers Association (CAIA) in December 2002, the Mexican Hass Avocado Importers Association (MHAIA) in May 2003, and the Peruvian Avocado Commission (PAC) in October 2010. The CAIA, MHAIA, and PAC are eligible to receive assessment rebates from the date of certification. The CAC may use the assessments rebates to conduct state of origin promotions, while the CAIA, MHAIA, and PAC may use the assessments rebates to conduct country of origin promotions.
The Board’s budget for the period of January 1 through December 31, 2015 is $48.8 million with approximately $41.4 million being rebated to the state and importer associations under the Order. The Board reimburses the Federal government for the cost of implementing and administering the program.
The Board is composed of seven producer members and five importer members and their alternates. The producer members and alternates are nominated by producers, and the importer members and alternates are nominated by importers.
The Board is located in Irvine, California.
Diversity in Research and Promotion Programs
For R&P programs to be successful in leading and advancing American agriculture, it is essential that their board members reflect the full diversity of American agriculture.
View a short video featuring representatives from the National Mango Board, National Dairy Board, National Pork Board, National Watermelon Board, and the Cotton Board.
|
