AMS to Hold Referendum on Continuing Christmas Tree Import Fees

The Agricultural Marketing Service is holding a vote on whether to continue the national Christmas tree promotion order and its associated assessments on importers, it said. Only importers and domestic producers of more than 500 trees during the period Sept. 1, 2018, through March 15, 2019, are eligible to vote in the referendum. Under the promotion order, which took effect in 2014 (see 14040418), importers above that threshold must pay an assessment of $0.15 per tree on imports of Christmas trees. The fees fund efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets and conduct research and promotion activities. The referendum will be conducted by mailed ballot beginning April 22, with votes due no later than May 17.