Schafer Names Members, Alternates to Hass Avocado Board [October 02, 2008, News Release]

Schafer Names Producer Alternate to Hass Avocado Board [April 28, 2008, News Release]

Connor Names Members, Alternates to the Hass Avocado Board [November 29, 2007, News Release]

The Hass Avocado Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 2000 (Act) [7 U.S.C. 7801-7813] was signed into law on October 23, 2000. Subsequently, AMS received a proposal from the California Avocado Commission (CAC), representing the domestic Hass avocado industry, and partial proposals from several organizations representing Hass avocados grown in other countries. AMS conducted notice-and-comment rulemaking on the Hass Avocado Promotion, Research, and Information Order (Order) [7 CFR Part 1219]. A referendum order establishing the registration and voting periods for the referendum was issued on April 9, 2002. The registration period for the referendum was May 13-31, 2002, and the voting period was

June 24-July 12, 2002. The Order was approved by a simple majority of the registered producers and importers voting in a referendum. Therefore, a final rule to implement the program was issued on September 6, 2002, the Order became effective on September 9, 2002, and assessment collections began on January 2, 2003.

The purpose of the program is to increase consumption of Hass avocados in the United States. The program covers fresh domestic and imported Hass avocados. Exports of domestic Hass avocados are exempt from assessments. The assessment rate is 2.5 cents per pound. The rate may be raised up to a maximum of 5 cents per pound.

The Board is required to give 85 percent of domestic assessment to the CAC and up to 85 percent of importer assessments to importer associations. Pursuant to section 1219.58(c) of the Order, the Department certified the Chilean Avocado Importers Association (CAIA) and the Mexican Hass Avocado Importers Association (MHAIA) as importer associations on December 2002 and May 2003, respectively. The CAIA and MHAIA are both eligible to receive assessment rebates from the date of certification. The CAC may use the assessments to conduct state of origin promotions, and CAIA and MHAIA may use the assessments to conduct country of origin promotions.

The Board’s budget for the period of November 1, 2007, through October 31, 2008, is approximately $23.3 million with approximate $19.5 million being rebated to CAC, MHAIA, and CAIA. The Board is required to contract with CAC for administration and programs under the national program. The Board will reimburse the federal government for the cost of implementing and administering the program.

The Board is composed of seven producer members and their alternates, and five importer members and their alternates. The producer members and alternates are nominated by producers, and the importer members and alternates are nominated by importers.

The Board contracts with CAC in Irvine, California, to carry out its projects and to handle administrative tasks.