"Shall the annual assessment on all varieties of blueberries
be decreased from three-quarters of a cent per affected unit
(pound) to four-tenths of a cent per affected unit (pound)?"
The referendum, as certified on January 31, 2001, was
approved by 100 percent of the blueberry producers with 100
percent of the production. A total of 49.4 percent of the
eligible producers voted in the referendum.
The Washington Blueberry Commission requested the reduction
in assessment because a national blueberry program was recently
adopted. The national program will be funded by an assessment of
$12 per ton on domestic cultivated blueberries beginning with the
2001-growing season.
Dated this 12th day of February 2001.
James M. Jesernig
Director of Agriculture