Honey Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Order; Amendments

This rule amends the honey research and promotion program by: changing the size and composition of the National Honey Board (Board); changing nomination and eligibility requirements for handlers, importers, and representatives of cooperatives on the Board; changing the term of office for members of the Board and the National Honey Nominations Committee; authorizing the Board to develop a voluntary quality assurance program; removing the requirement for small companies to file for an exemption under the program in order to avoid paying assessments; requiring producers to submit reports to the Board and to maintain records; and adding statutory requirements for continuance referenda and evaluations. Amendments to the Honey Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Act (Act) require that these changes be made to the program. The Act authorized additional changes, but they failed to receive the approval of the voters in a referendum held in September 2000.