AMS Says No Vote Needed on Cotton Order Assessments

A referendum on certain provisions of the Cotton Research and Promotion Order is unnecessary, said the Agricultural Marketing Service, but the agency will nonetheless accept referendum requests from importers and producers to hold a vote. AMS is required by law to consider holding a referendum every five years on 1990 changes to the cotton order, including elimination of assessment refunds to producers and assessments on imported cotton. After an initial referendum approved the changes in 1991, AMS said votes weren’t needed in 1996, 2001, and 2006. This time, following a request for comments on those provisions (see 11060126), AMS said once again that no referendum is necessary. But if enough importers and producers of cotton send requests for a vote, the agency will hold one.