National Processed Raspberry Council

The National Processed Raspberry Council is a U.S. organization that promotes and researches processed raspberries. It is part of a commodity checkoff program overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Purpose

The National Processed Raspberry Council's self-stated mission is to "conduct nutrition research on the health and wellness benefits of raspberries and to promote the consumption of processed raspberries based on research results"[1] The basic core of the council's work centers on research and promotion.[2][3]

History

The Washington Red Raspberry Commission initially approached the U.S. Department of Agriculture about establishing a national research and promotion program, better known as a commodity checkoff program.[4] The USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service conducted a referendum among affected raspberry growers and importers in June 2011.[4] Support for the raspberry checkoff program was around 88 percent in that referendum.[4][5]

As the rule establishing the checkoff program - the Processed Raspberries Research and Promotion Order - was being finalized the USDA put a temporary hold on its implementation.[5] The delay was due to the backlash surrounding the attempted implementation of a similar rule regarding Christmas trees in November 2011.[5] The proposed Christmas tree checkoff created political controversy when it was characterized as a tax in the media.[5] The Washington Red Raspberry Commission expected the program to be implemented in November 2011.[6] After several months of delay the rule establishing the checkoff program was finally implemented in May 2012.[6][4]

Funding

The council is funded through a fee assessed on producers and importers of raspberries for processing.[4] The fee is $.01 per pound of raspberries produced or imported.[5] Producers and importers are exempted from the assessment if they produce or import less than 20,000 pounds of the crop.[5]

References

  1. ↑ "Our Story", National Processed Raspberry Council, official site, accessed November 19, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Secretary Vilsack Names First Processed Raspberry Council Representatives", press release, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, April 12, 2013, accessed November 19, 2014.
  3. ↑ Martin, Greg. "National Processed Raspberry Council," radio transcript, via aginfo.net, Fruit Grower Report, May 14, 2013, accessed November 19, 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Processed Raspberries Research and Promotion Order", Research and Promotion Programs, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, last modified June 25, 2013, accessed November 19, 2014.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Perkowski, Mateusz. "Tax anger stalls proposed checkoffs", Capital Press, April 6, 2012, accessed November 19, 2014.
  6. 1 2 "Perkowski, Mateusz. USDA OKs raspberry checkoff", Capital Press, May 10, 2012, accessed November 19, 2014.
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