DOJ Seeks Permission To Continue Asking People Their Opinions
Published Date: 12/11/2025
Notice
Summary
Walla Walla sweet onion farmers in southeast Washington and northeast Oregon will vote from January 12 to 30, 2026, on whether to keep the current rules that help manage their onion market. Only growers who produced onions between June 2024 and May 2025 can vote. This vote decides if the marketing order stays in place, which affects how onions are handled and sold in the region.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Two‑Thirds Threshold Could End Order
USDA will consider terminating the marketing order if less than two-thirds of the producers voting, or producers of less than two-thirds of the volume represented in the referendum, favor continuance. USDA also will consider other information about the Order’s operation and the relative benefits and costs to producers, handlers, and consumers when deciding whether to continue or terminate the Order.
Producers Get a Jan 12–30 Vote
If you are a Walla Walla sweet onion producer who grew onions between June 1, 2024 and May 31, 2025, you may vote in a USDA continuance referendum held January 12 through January 30, 2026 to decide whether the marketing order that regulates handling of these onions continues. USDA estimates about 11 producers will cast ballots and that each ballot takes about 20 minutes to complete.
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Key Dates
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