BUREAU OF FARM PRODUCTS 

 James M. Cassidy, Chief 



The Bureau supervises a diversified farm product quality control regulatory 

 program including the Federal-State Fruit & Vegetable Shipping Point Inspection 

 Service and enforcement of the "truth in labeling" laws for feed, seed, fertilizer 

 and limestone programs. In addition, the Bureau regulates certain produce 

 branding labeling and storage laws, and collects approximately $100,000 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 75 continuous years all State Departments of Agriculture in the nation 

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

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

 fully trained and licensed Massachusetts inspector to issue USDA certificates on 

 shipments of fruit and vegetables, attesting to the grade, quality and condition 

 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 Massachusetts 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 this export field. 



In 1983, demand for our inspection service again has been on the shipment 

 of export apples, mainly to the United Kingdom and Canada. 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 : 



1,992 labels of animal feed, ingredients, pet foods and medicated feed 

 ingredients were reviewed and registered during the past year. 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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