Release No. 032-14

Contact:

Hakim Fobia (202) 690-0488

WASHINGTON, March 19, 2014 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that Florida citrus producers will vote from April 7 - 25, 2014, 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 oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, or tangelos within the designated production area in Florida for the fresh market during the period Aug. 1, 2012, through July 31, 2013.

USDA would consider continuing the marketing order if two-thirds of the growers, or growers representing two-thirds of the volume of Florida citrus in the referendum, vote in favor of continuance. Notice of the referendum will be published in the March 20, 2014, Federal Register.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (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.

Get the latest Agricultural Marketing Service news at http://www.ams.usda.gov/news or follow us on Twitter @USDA_AMS. You can also read about us on the USDA blog.

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