In order to address the market situation created by the importation of foreign pecans into the U.S. market, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) received a proposal from the National Pecan Federation (NPF) requesting the establishment of a research and promotion program to strengthen the position of pecans in the marketplace, maintain and expand markets for pecans and develop new uses for pecans. USDA is currently analyzing the proposal. If USDA finds the request justified, the department will publish in the Federal Register a proposed rule with a public comment period seeking input from the industry and interested stakeholders. A copy of the NPF proposal can be found here

Due to the serious effect the importation of nuts into the U.S. market has on grower market price for pecans, growers should educate themselves on this new effort and contribute comments as the public comment period allows. I have heard no word on when that public comment period may be but we will let you know when we hear that it has opened.

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