[4] The USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service conducted a referendum among affected raspberry growers and importers in June 2011.

[4][5] As the rule establishing the checkoff program - the Processed Raspberries Research and Promotion Order - was being finalized the USDA put a temporary hold on its implementation.

[5] The delay was due to the backlash surrounding the attempted implementation of a similar rule regarding Christmas trees in November 2011.

[5] The proposed Christmas tree checkoff created political controversy when it was characterized as a tax in the media.

[6][4] The council is funded through a fee assessed on producers and importers of raspberries for processing.