The proposed merger of US-based fresh produce organisations, the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) and the United Fresh Produce Association (UFPA), will not go ahead despite a number of discussions since early 2011.
According to statement from United, the merger talks were called off because PMA leaders failed to agree with a proposed plan.
Industry sources suggest that plan included the election of a new leader by the combined group’s board of directors.
Apparently, PMA disagreed with the idea, preferring instead that current PMA head Bryan Silbermann be appointed as the chief executive officer of the merged group.
“We are disappointed that in the end, PMA’s current leadership did not agree with what we believe was a very fair, member-oriented plan that could have blended the goals and priorities of both associations,” United said in its release.
“Without that commitment from our friends at PMA, the United Board could simply not abandon the principles that have guided our association for more than a century.”
Mike O’Brien, co-chair of the joint task force leading PMA’s and United’s merger discussions, also expressed “profound disappointment” at the outcome.
“Despite our best efforts we were unable to agree on an acceptable joint association model that would meet both member and industry needs,” he said in a PMA statement.
PMA said it remains committed to building collaborative relationships with all of its association partners in the US and abroad.
Although they will now follow individual strategies, both organisations pointed out that they would continue to pursue their common goal of increasing the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.
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