March 13, 2007

LANSING - Michigan’s cherry producers today approved a referendum to continue the Michigan Cherry Promotion and Development Program.

Established in May 1972, the Michigan Cherry Promotion and Development Program was developed to improve the economic position of the state’s cherry producers by creating greater marking opportunities for Michigan cherries.

It will continue for an additional five years beginning July 1, 2007. The current program assessment is $10 per ton for sweet or tart cherries and $5 per ton for cherries sold for juice.

A total of 220 valid ballots were cast in the referendum. Of those, 184 producers voted yes (84 percent) representing 120,216,082 pounds of cherries (86 percent of the production volume represented) and 36 producers voted no (16 percent) representing 19,893,472 pounds (14 percent).

Renewal of program and its activities, more than 50 percent of the voting producers, representing more than 50 percent of the pounds sold by those voting, must have approved it.