06/01/05 Beef check-off - Apple Commission, Pt.2

06/01/05 Beef check-off - Apple Commission, Pt.2

Mandatory grower assessments and check-offs for industry promotion and research was upheld with the U.S. Supreme Court verdict favoring the Beef Check-Off program. So says Dave Carlson, President of the Washington Apple Commission. His organization did a make-over in programs and status as a state agency as a result of 2003's court ruling against the Commission mandatory assessments. But with the Supreme Court ruling in favor of the Beef-Check off, will the Apple Commission consider returning to its mode of operations prior to their assessment case? CARLSON: At the present time, we are strictly limiting our promotional activities to the overseas or foreign markets. Carlson says one reason for maintaining status quo is market demands and changes over the last two years. CARLSON: There are probably about twenty marketing firms now in the State of Washington that market about ninety per cent plus of the apple crop. That said they have taken over to a certain extent many of the promotional activities the Apple Commission formerly was performing in the United States. In addition, the Apple Commission is limited in what it can collect in assessments due to the industry agreement that came as a result of the 2003 court case, and attempts to keep the Apple Commission in business in some capacity.
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