Gwen Sparks (202) 260-8210gwen.sparks@ams.usda.gov
WASHINGTON, April, 4 2012 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued revised standards and created new grades for cultivated ginseng.
The new standards include changes that add tolerances, reclassify sizes, remove table values, and amend definitions. These revisions will make the marketing of U.S. ginseng easier in a competitive world market. The new standards, which are based on quality and percentage of defects, become effective May 7, 2012.
USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) works with industry representatives and others to establish or revise U.S. standards for nearly 240 agricultural products. Industry uses the standards in the marketplace to specify the quality of commodities. Standards facilitate commerce by providing a common language for trade and a means of measuring value in the marketing of agricultural products.
The notice will be published in the April 5, 2012 Federal Register. For a copy of the standards or more information visit www.ams.usda.gov/freshinspection or contact Dr. Carl Newell, AMS Fruit & Vegetable Programs, USDA, National Training and Development Center, Riverside Business Park, 100 Riverside Parkway, Suite 101, Fredericksburg, Va. 22406.
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