USHBC Recommends to Increase Assessments

After a great deal of discussion, debate and study the US Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC )members voted at their February 28th meeting to increase the USHBC grower assessment from $12 per ton to $24 per ton. The purpose of this recommendation was for the following reasons:

• Worldwide production will increase from 407 million to 1.0 Billion lbs. in the next five years
• Consumption will need to increase to keep up with production
• Funds will be used to increase market promotion and health research
• The Industry needs to build upon blueberries existing healthy "Halo Effect"

Just because the USHBC voted to make the recommendation does not mean that it will go into effect immediately. The following process will need to be taken:

1. The proposed assessment increase will be recommended to the U.S. Department of Agriculture
2. The USDA will publish the Council recommendation in the Federal Register
3. The Public will be able to comment
4. If accepted by the Secretary of Agriculture, the earliest the new assessment could be applied would be on the 2010 crop