(a) This marketing order may be terminated or suspended pursuant to the provisions of article 25 of the Agriculture and Markets Law and the rules and regulations promulgated by the commissioner pursuant thereto.

(b) At least once during each eight-year period that the order is in effect, the commissioner shall conduct a referendum of apple growers in the area affected to substantiate approval of the order, the first such eight-year period to commence July 1, 1973, and provided further, in the event a petition to terminate or suspend the order is exercised as provided herein, a new eight-year period will begin, effective the first of July following the date of certification of approval of the order by the commission.