CDFA Secretary Disqualifies STOP QIP Petition

On December 16, CDFA Secretary Karen Ross released a decision regarding a petition submitted by STOP QIP, which seeks a referendum to terminate the Quota Implementation Plan. In her written decision, the Secretary states, “…I am compelled to deem Petition No. 5 disqualified.” Below is an excerpt from her letter explaining her decision. You can read the full letter here.

From Secretary Karen Ross’ December 16 letter
“As a matter of principle, my inclination is to support recommendations made by the PRB, and also to allow for a fair petition process which would allow producers to present and address concerns. However, in making the most appropriate determination, I must consider unforeseen circumstances and/or reasons that may have been unknown to the PRB or CDFA. 
 
Recently, information has come to my attention that Petition No. 5 was one of six alternative petitions which, in 2021, had been simultaneously prepared, disseminated and signed, for later periodic submission. I regard such an approach as inconsistent with the objectives regarding petitions and referenda, and an abuse of the process. The use of pre-printed dates, in Petition No. 5 and other submitted petitions, had been of concern, and identified as a potential reason for disqualification by CDFA in response to earlier submitted petitions. This is now exacerbated by evidence that the pre-printed “June 1, 2023” appearing on each submitted petition, is not only inaccurate, but could actually be a date that is off by a measure of approximately 18-23 months from the times when the petitions may have been actually signed. 
 
Accordingly, contrary to the PRB’s recommendation, I am compelled to deem Petition No. 5 disqualified. I advise members of the industry that the best practice is to refrain from including preprinted signatures, in order to allow CDFA to more clearly determine the authenticity and reliability of each submitted petition. Prospective authors of petitions are further advised to consider drafting or circulating one petition at a time, rather than packets of multiple alternatives, in order to avoid creating confusion and uncertainty within the California dairy industry.”