Fw: Maryland draft local regs published
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From: Mark Powell <PowellMS@mda.state.md.us>
Date: Fri, 17 Dec 2010 14:41:57 -0600
To: Tom Karst<TKarst@vancepublishing.com>
Subject: Maryland draft local regs published
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Sue duPont
410-841-5889
Julie Oberg
410-841-5888
Draft Regulations to Define "Local" Foods Published in the Maryland Register
Public Comment Accepted through January 18, 2011
ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 17, 2010) – Proposed rules regulating the advertising of "local" foods are published in today's Maryland Register for public comment announced Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance. The regulations were drafted by MDA as part of a law signed by Governor O'Malley earlier this year which seeks to bring clarity to consumers as to what constitutes local.
"With the increased interest in buying local and the current lack of agreement on defining local, we feel it is paramount that consumers have the information they need to make informed decisions about their food purchases," said Secretary Hance. "If advertising a food product as 'local', the proposed regulations will require businesses to disclose the origin of their product and consumers can make their own determination if a food advertised as 'local' meets their standard."
The law authorizes the Secretary to regulate the use of the terms "local" or "locally grown" when used to advertise agricultural and seafood products. It aims to support Maryland farmers and provide transparency to consumers interested in purchasing local foods by informing Marylanders about their local foods purchases. In recent years, interest in locally produced foods has surged, leading to the rapid growth of farmer's markets, and the appearance of Maryland products in restaurants and grocery stores. However, there has been little agreement as to the definition of "local" foods. A task force of farmers, retail representatives, consumer advocates, and other interested stakeholders provided input for the proposal.
The 2010 Policy Choices Survey by the University of Baltimore Schaefer Center for Public Policy found that 78 percent of Marylanders are more likely to buy produce that is identified as having been grown by a Maryland farmer.
Visit http://www.dsd.state.md.us/MDRegister/mdregister.aspx for a link to the Register. Comments may be sent to Mark Powell, Chief of Marketing, Maryland Department of Agriculture, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401, or call 410-841-5775 or email PowellMS@mda.state.md.us, or fax to (410) 841-5957. Comments will be accepted through January 18, 2011. A public hearing has not been scheduled.
410-841-5889
Julie Oberg
410-841-5888
Draft Regulations to Define "Local" Foods Published in the Maryland Register
Public Comment Accepted through January 18, 2011
ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 17, 2010) – Proposed rules regulating the advertising of "local" foods are published in today's Maryland Register for public comment announced Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance. The regulations were drafted by MDA as part of a law signed by Governor O'Malley earlier this year which seeks to bring clarity to consumers as to what constitutes local.
"With the increased interest in buying local and the current lack of agreement on defining local, we feel it is paramount that consumers have the information they need to make informed decisions about their food purchases," said Secretary Hance. "If advertising a food product as 'local', the proposed regulations will require businesses to disclose the origin of their product and consumers can make their own determination if a food advertised as 'local' meets their standard."
The law authorizes the Secretary to regulate the use of the terms "local" or "locally grown" when used to advertise agricultural and seafood products. It aims to support Maryland farmers and provide transparency to consumers interested in purchasing local foods by informing Marylanders about their local foods purchases. In recent years, interest in locally produced foods has surged, leading to the rapid growth of farmer's markets, and the appearance of Maryland products in restaurants and grocery stores. However, there has been little agreement as to the definition of "local" foods. A task force of farmers, retail representatives, consumer advocates, and other interested stakeholders provided input for the proposal.
The 2010 Policy Choices Survey by the University of Baltimore Schaefer Center for Public Policy found that 78 percent of Marylanders are more likely to buy produce that is identified as having been grown by a Maryland farmer.
Visit http://www.dsd.state.md.us/MDRegister/mdregister.aspx for a link to the Register. Comments may be sent to Mark Powell, Chief of Marketing, Maryland Department of Agriculture, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401, or call 410-841-5775 or email PowellMS@mda.state.md.us, or fax to (410) 841-5957. Comments will be accepted through January 18, 2011. A public hearing has not been scheduled.
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posted by Tom Karst @ 5:53 PM
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