BUREAU OF FARM PRODUCTS 

 James M. Cassidy 



A diversified farm product quality control program including the 

 Federal-State Fruit & Vegetable Shipping Point Inspection Service Program enfor- 

 ces the "truth in labeling" laws for feed, seed, fertilizer and limestone 

 programs, regulates certain produce branding labeling and storage laws, and 

 collects approximately $1000,000 per year in registrations and inspection fees 

 which are turned into the Commonwealth's Treasury. 



The Shipping Point Inspection Program is regulated by a memorandum of 

 understanding contract with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. All other regu- 

 lating functions are under the provisions of Chapter 128, General Laws of 

 Massachusetts as amended. 



Federal-State Shipping Point Inspection Program : 



For seventy continuous years all State Departments of Agriculture in the 

 nation have cooperated with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in providing this 

 service for each state's fruit and vegetable products. This program allows the 

 fully trained and licensed Massachusetts inspector to issue U.S.D.A. cer- 

 tificates on shipments of fruit and vegetables, attesting to the grade, quality 

 and pack which are needed by buyers and receivers at terminal markets. 



For many years the Inspection Service in Massachusetts, through strict 

 adherence to grades and other essential data, has done much to upgrade the 

 quality, condition and grade of the final product. Massachusetts leads the 

 world in the production of cranberries and many shipments of this product carry 

 a Federal-State certificate. 



By law, all apples must be inspected for export and our inspection service 

 has been instrumental in helping Bay State farmers maintain this lucrative 

 market. The inspection service has aided in developing new methods of transpor- 

 tation, especially in the export field. 



In 1982, demand for our inspection service again has been on the shipment 

 of export apples, mainly to the United Kingdom. Apples are also inspected for 

 shipment to California where the demand has been increasing each year, and for 

 military purchases. 



The export apple inspection is of major importance, due primarily to the 

 demand and acceptance of "controlled atmosphere" stored apples, our valuable 

 Mcintosh variety and our quality packs. Mcintosh apples cannot be grown suc- 

 cessfully in European countries. The controlled atmosphere method of storing 

 apples greatly lengthens the marketing season and allows shipment of apples in 

 good condition well into June, thus providing a more orderly marketing season 

 for the entire apple industry. 



Inspection certificates are also issued for potatoes and onions in the 

 Connecticut Valley area and cranberries on Cape Cod. 



Feed Program ; 



1,939 labels of animal feed, ingredients, pet foods and medicated feed 

 ingredients were reviewed and registered on an annual basis. Samples of pro- 

 ducts offered for sale were drawn and tested at the West Experiment Station, 

 University of Massachusetts for conformance with label. 



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