The USDA announced on April 9 it is seeking public input on modifying the membership structure of the South Texas Onion Committee.
A release from the agency said the proposed action would “consolidate the geographic districts under the marketing order from two districts to one and reapportion committee membership.”
The release said, “Over the past few years, the number of onion producers and handlers in South Texas has decreased significantly, which has created an imbalance in committee representation between the two districts. The committee believes this justifies consolidating the districts and reapportioning all membership to a single district, ensuring more equitable representation, and creating more opportunity for members to serve.”
The proposed rule for this action was published in the Federal Register on April 8, and the USDA is accepting public comments on the proposal until May 8.
More information about the marketing order regulating the handling of South Texas Onions is available on the 959 South Texas Onions page on the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) website.
The release noted, “Authorized by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, marketing orders are industry-driven programs that help producers and handlers achieve marketing success by leveraging their own funds to design and execute programs that they would not be able to do individually. AMS provides oversight to fruit, vegetable, and specialty crop marketing orders and agreements to ensure fiscal accountability and program integrity.”
More information about Federal marketing orders is available on the Marketing Orders and Agreements page of the AMS website or by contacting the Market Development Division at (202) 720-8085.
