Release No.: 129-13

Contact:

Pam Stanziani, (202) 720-8998

Pamela.stanziani@ams.usda.gov

WASHINGTON, July 30, 2013 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that Vidalia onion producers will vote from September 9 through September 27, 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 Vidalia onions within the designated production area in Georgia during the period January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012.

USDA would consider terminating the marketing order if less than two-thirds of the producers voting in the referendum and producers of less than two-thirds of the volume of Vidalia onions represented in the referendum favor continuance. Notice of the referendum was published in the July 30, 2013, Federal Register.

AMS will mail ballots and voting instructions to all producers of record. Eligible producers not receiving ballots may request them from Christian D. Nissen, Regional Director; USDA AMS FV Southeast Marketing Field Office, 799 Overlook Drive, Winter Haven, FL 33884; phone: (863) 324-3375; fax (863) 325-8793.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).