Schafer Appoints Members to the New Honey Packers and Importers Board [August 08, 2008, News Release]

Honey Packers and Importers Research, Promotion, Consumer Education, and Industry Information Order Becomes Effective [May 20, 2008, News Release]

Honey First Handlers, Importers Approve New National Honey Packers and Importers Program [May 06, 2008, News Release]

USDA Sets Date for Honey Packers and Importers Promotion and Research Program Referendum [February 29, 2008, News Release]

The National Honey Packers and Dealers Association submitted a proposal for a national research and promotion program covering honey packers and importers. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) conducted a referendum from April 2 – 16, 2008. In the referendum 78 percent of those voting, representing 92 percent of the volume of those voting in the referendum approved the program.

The Honey Packers and Importers Research, Promotion, Consumer Education, and Industry Information Order (Order) [7 CFR Part 1212] is authorized by the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996 (1996 Act) [7 U.S.C. 7411-7425]. The Order became effective on May 22, 2008, after honey packers and importers of 250,000 pounds or more per year voted in favor of the program.

Under the Order, assessments are collected on honey and honey products packed or imported into the 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. The funds collected are used by the Board for research and development, advertising and promotion of honey and honey products, consumer education, and industry information, under AMS supervision. The assessment rate is 1 cent per pound. Packers and importers marketing less than 250,000 pounds of honey per year are exempt from paying assessments. The import assessments are collected by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Service.

The Board administers the program and reimburses the Federal government for the costs incurred in implementing and administering the program.

The 10 members of the Board are appointed by the Secretary. The Board consists of three first handlers, two importers, one importer-handler, three producers, and one marketing cooperative representatives and their alternates.