Blueberry Promotion, Research, and Information Order

This rule establishes a Blueberry Promotion, Research, and Information Order (Order) under the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996. Under the Order, cultivated blueberry producers and importers will pay an assessment of $12 per ton, which will be paid to the U.S.A. Blueberry Council (USABC). Producers and importers of less than 2,000 pounds of fresh and processed cultivated blueberries annually will be exempt from the assessment. First handlers will remit the assessments to the USABC. The USABC will use the funds collected to conduct a generic program of promotion, research, consumer information, and industry information to maintain and expand markets for cultivated blueberries. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA or the Department) conducted a referendum among eligible producers and importers of cultivated blueberries to determine whether they favor the implementation of the Order. The Order was approved by a majority of those voting who also represented a majority of the pounds of cultivated blueberries represented in the referendum.