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
1400 Independence Avenue
Washington
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
• 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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