Release No.: 099-13

Contact:

Pam Stanziani, (202) 720-8998

pamela.stanziani@ams.usda.gov

WASHINGTON, June 19, 2013 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced that Walla Walla sweet onion producers will vote from September 14, 2013 through October 4, 2013, on whether to continue their Federal marketing order.

The marketing order requires that a continuance referendum be held every six years. To be eligible to vote, producers must have produced Walla Walla sweet onions within the designated production area in southeast Washington and northeast Oregon during the period of January 1, 2012 through Dec. 31, 2012.

USDA would consider terminating the marketing order if a majority of the producers voting in the referendum and producers of a majority of the volume of Walla Walla sweet onions represented in the referendum do not favor continuance. Notice of the referendum will be published in the June 20, 2013, Federal Register.

AMS will mail ballots and voting instructions to all producers of record. Eligible producers not receiving ballots may request them from Gary D. Olson, Regional Director; USDA AMS FV Northwest Marketing Field Office, 805 SW Broadway, Suite 930, Portland, OR 97205; phone: (503) 362-2724; fax (503) 326-7440.