Wednesday 19 August 2009

CATCH THE BUZZ - Country Of Origin Honey Label Means Business

CATCH THE BUZZ

USDA Revises Regulations to Include Country of Origin Labeling of Honey

Comments Accepted Through September 8, 2009

By American Beekeeping Federation News




USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service is establishing a new regulation addressing country of origin labeling for packed honey bearing any official USDA mark or statement, such as U.S. Grade A.
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The 2008 Farm Bill requires that packaged honey bearing any combination of USDA marks or statements must also display the name or names of the one or more countries of origin of the lot or container of honey so that the name or names are legible, permanently in close proximity to the USDA marks or statement -- such as on the same side(s) or surface(s), of a comparable size to the USDA marks or statements, and are preceded by the words "Product of" or other words of similar meaning.
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To allow the industry to clear the market of labels that do not comply with the new rules, this interim final rule becomes effective October 6, 2009. The rule was published in the July 8, 2009, Federal Register.
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Written comments must be received by September 8, 2009, and should be sent to:

Chere L. Shorter
Processed Products Branch
Fruit and Vegetable Programs
Agricultural Marketing Service
USDA
Stop

0247
1400 Independence Avenue
SW
Washington
, DC 20250-0247

You can also e-mail to chere.shorter@usda.gov or fax your comments to 202-690-1527.

Copies of the Federal Register notice are available and comments may be submitted electronically at www.regulations.gov - enter keyword AMS-FV-08-0075.

A violation of the new requirements may be deemed by the Secretary of Agriculture to be sufficient cause for debarment from inspection and certification of honey.

For more information, contact chere.shorter@ams.usda.gov or call 202-720-4693.


Meanwhile, The ABF also released this today, regarding their new web site...take a look.

 

ABF Unveils New, Enhanced Web Site

 The American Beekeeping Federation (ABF) is pleased to announce the launch of the new and improved ABF Web site at abfnet.org.

The ABF has been working on a Web site design that will serve as the industry standard and is the key resource for beekeeping contacts, industry communications, and legislative news and updates. With its fresh navigation and improved functionality, the new site is focused on user friendliness for both ABF members and the public.

The enhanced Web site will now allow ABF members to log-in with an assigned username and password. This log-in feature enables members to:

• Renew their membership online and maintain an up-to-date membership profile

• Access exclusive, member-only content

• Register online for the 2010 North American Beekeeping Conference & Tradeshow, Jan. 12-16, 2010, in Orlando, Fla.

• Donate online to the ABF and the Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees

 

The site also affords non-members the opportunity to learn more about the activities and initiatives of the ABF, as well as the online capability to join the organization in a few easy steps.

Questions regarding the site or ABF membership can be directed to Kari Freeland, ABF membership coordinator, at 404.760.2875 or via e-mail at mailto:karifreeland@abfnet.org.


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CATCH THE BUZZ - U.S. Honey Produer Board Comments

CATCH THE BUZZ

USDA Seeks Comments on Proposed U.S. Honey Producer Board

Comments Accepted Through September 14, 2009

Release from American Beekeeping Federation




The proposed Board would be responsible for carrying out activities intended to strengthen the position of U.S. honey in the marketplace, developing, maintaining and expand existing markets, and enhancing the image of domestic honey.  The proposed order would be administered by a seven-member board.
Find out What’s New At Mann Lake right
Here
Only producers of U.S. honey would pay an assessment of 2 cents per pound of domestic honey produced. A producer who produces less than 100,000 pounds of U.S. honey per year would be eligible for a certificate of exemption.
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It is seen by proponents as a counterpart to the National Honey Board, which is funded and controlled by packers and importers and promotes imported as well as domestic honey.
For a comprehensive listing of beekeeping events around the country and around the globe, check out Bee Culture’s Global Beekeeping Calendar
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The proposed rule was published in the July 14, 2009, Federal Register, along with a proposed rule on the procedures to be used in the referendum to determine if the program will go into effect.  Comments on both rules must be received by September 14, 2009.

 Interested parties are invited to submit written comments on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov, or mail them, in triplicate, to:

Research and Promotion Branch
Fruit and Vegetable Programs
AMS
USDA
Stop

0244
1400 Independence Avenue
SW
Washington
, DC 20250-0244

You can also call 888-720-9917 or fax your comments to 202-205-2800.

Copies of the proposed rule and any comments that are received may be requested from the same address or viewed at www.ams.usda.gov/FVPromotion (see also: Federal Register Notices). They are also available at www.regulations.gov - enter keyword AMS-FV-07-0091.


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