National Processed Raspberry Council to Hold First Meeting [May 09, 2013, News Release]

Secretary Vilsack Names First Processed Raspberry Council [April 12, 2013, News Release]

Proposed Processed Raspberry Promotion, Research, and Information Order; Final Rule. Docket Number: AMS-FV-07-0077; FV-07-705-FR. EFFECTIVE: May 09, 2012.[Notice]

Proposed Processed Raspberry Promotion, Research, and Information Order; Proposed Rule and Referendum Order. Docket Number: AMS-FV-07-0077; PR-2B. EFFECTIVE: May 05, 2011. Voting Period: June 08, 2011-June 24, 2011.[Notice][News Release]

The Washington Red Raspberry Commission (WRRC), an industry group of U.S. processed red raspberry producers, submitted a proposal to the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) for a national research and promotion program covering producers of raspberries for processing and importers of processed raspberries. AMS conducted a referendum from June 8 – 24, 2011. In the referendum, 88 percent of those who voted approved the program.

The Processed Raspberry Promotion, Research, and Information Order (Order) [7 CFR Part 1208] is authorized under the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996 (1996 Act) [7 U.S.C. 7411-7425]. The Order became effective May 9, 2012, one day after the final rule to implement the program was published in the Federal Register. Assessment collection under the program began on September 5, 2012.

The program is financed by an assessment on producers of raspberries for processing and importers of processed raspberries and administered by the National Processed Raspberry Council (Council) with oversight by AMS. The initial assessment rate is one cent per pound and shall not exceed one cent per pound. Producers and importers of less than 20,000 pounds annually of raspberries for processing and processed raspberries respectively, are exempt from the assessment. The Council’s budget is approximately $1 million.

The Council is composed of 13 members and their alternates appointed by the Secretary. The Council consists of six producers from States producing a minimum of three million pounds of raspberries for processing, one producer member from all other States producing less than three million pounds of raspberries for processing, three importers, two foreign producers, and one at-large member. The Council’s composition may change periodically to reflect geographic shifts in volume.

The Council’s headquarters is in Lynden, Washington.