Marketing Agreement Process

The marketing agreement is a process of structured steps that allows the industry to develop their own program and metrics.

DISCOVERY PERIOD

Interaction between AMS (including MOAB, FPB, PPB, ECON) and industry to develop draft language applicable to current industry practices and needs.
In addition to the development of a draft proposal, the proponent group is encouraged to work with on issues such as the Reg. Flex Analysis and cost benefit analyses, as well as conduct outreach efforts.
Broad-based industry support is critical to implementation of a new program. Outreach efforts are intended to: 1) educate the national leafy green industry and others about the workings and goals of the proposed program; and, 2) build support for the proposal within the industry and among producers and handlers, including mid-to-small scale entities who are likely to do business with handlers who might become signatories.

Receipt of Request for Hearing (from Industry) USDA acknowledgement letter sent and hearing dates established
Ex-parte in effect.	Notice of Hearing Prepared, reviewed, cleared and published	2-3 months
	Mailings and public notice	1 month
	Public Hearings	1 month
	Delivery of Transcript	3-4 weeks
	Briefs and Corrections	1 month
	Recommended Decision Prepared, reviewed, cleared and published	4-5 months
	Public Comment Period	1 month
	Secretary's Decision Prepared, reviewed, cleared and published	3 months
Handler sign-up		1 month
Final Order Prepared, reviewed, cleared and published		2 months
These steps to be completed by Industry and field staff assigned to new program	Nomination of the Committee, initial meetings, nomination of public members and Technical Review Board members	3-5 months
	Set-up of office location and hiring of staff	3-5 months
	Committee recommendation of audit metrics	TBD
	Rulemaking to approve and implement audit metrics	3 months
Program fully functional Begin operations		TBD
TOTAL TIME ESTIMATE		Approximately 24-27 months