(a) In general

A plan issued pursuant to this chapter may contain one or more of the terms and conditions contained in this section.

(b) Exemptions

Terms Used In 7 USC 6006

  • Board: means the Pecan Marketing Board established in section 6005(b) of this title. See 7 USC 6002
  • consumer information: means information and programs that will assist consumers and other persons in making evaluations and decisions regarding the purchase, preparation, and use of pecans. See 7 USC 6002
  • industry information: means information and programs that will lead to the development of new markets and marketing strategies, increased efficiency, and activities to enhance the image of the pecan industry. See 7 USC 6002
  • pecan: means the nut of the pecan tree carya illinoensis. See 7 USC 6002
  • plan: means a plan issued under section 6003 of this title. See 7 USC 6002
  • promotion: means any action taken by the Board, pursuant to this chapter, to present a favorable image of pecans to the public with the express intent of improving the competitive position of pecans in the marketplace and stimulating sales of pecans, including paid advertising. See 7 USC 6002
  • research: means any type of test, study, or analysis designed to advance the image, desirability, usage, marketability, production, product development, or quality of pecans. See 7 USC 6002
  • Secretary: means the Secretary of Agriculture. See 7 USC 6002

The plan may provide authority to exempt from the plan pecans used for nonfood uses and authority for the Board to require satisfactory safeguards against improper uses of such exemptions.

(c) Different payment and reporting schedules

The plan may provide authority to designate different payment and reporting schedules for growers, grower-shellers, first handlers and importers to recognize differences in marketing practices and procedures utilized in different production areas.

(d) Promotion

The plan may provide for the establishment, issuance, effectuation, and administration of appropriate programs or projects for the promotion of pecans and for the disbursement of necessary funds for such purposes, except that—

(1) any such program or project shall be directed toward increasing the general demand for pecans; and

(2) such promotional activities shall comply with other restrictions on the use of funds that are established under this chapter.

(e) Research and information

The plan may provide for establishing and carrying on research, consumer information, and industry information projects and studies to the end that the marketing and utilization of pecans may be encouraged, expanded, improved, or made more efficient, and for the disbursement of necessary funds for such purposes.

(f) Reserve funds

The plan may provide authority to accumulate reserve funds from assessments collected pursuant to this chapter, to permit an effective and continuous coordinated program of research, consumer information, industry information and promotion in years when the production and assessment income may be reduced, except that the total reserve fund may not exceed the amount budgeted for the operation of the plan for 2 years.

(g) Foreign markets

The plan may provide authority to use funds collected under this chapter, with the approval of the Secretary, for the development and expansion of pecan sales in foreign markets.