On April 12, 2016, the Almond Board of California’s Board of Directors met to review the program and budget recommendations coming forward as a result of the extensive strategic planning efforts that have taken place over the past year.
Two key factors drove the Board’s recommendation:
- With the anticipated increase in forecasted almond production, increased market development projects and new marketing programs are required to successfully build demand ahead of the additional supply.
- With changing water supply and water quality challenges impacting production, harvesting, pesticide use, pollination and food safety, the higher three-year assessment rate would allow funding for increased research and grower outreach.
The Board unanimously agreed to recommend a budget for the 2016–2017 fiscal year with an increase of the assessment from 3 cents per pound to 4 cents for a three-year period. The increase is limited to three years due to the expectation that almond production will increase significantly during that time period thereby providing additional funding. This decision was made after extensive dialogue among Board members as well as outreach between Board members and handlers and growers in the almond community.
The proposed rule change was first published in the Federal Register on July 18, 2016. The comment period was reopened on Sept. 12 with an announcement in the Federal Register. The comment period is open for 30 days, ending Oct. 12, 2016, at midnight, Pacific Standard Time (PST). Directions on how to comment are included in the Federal Register notification.
If you have any questions, please contact Almond Board President and CEO, Richard Waycott, at rwaycott@almondboard.com or phone (209) 343-3215; or Julie Adams, VP, Global, Technical and Regulatory Affairs at jadams@almondboard.com or phone (209) 343-3238.
