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North American Maple Contest Gidelines
Towards a Collaborative Maple Syrup Marketing Effort
November 2016
The Art of Water Promotion
November 2016
United States Standards for Grades of Maple Syrup11 January 29, 2015
To Whom It May Concern: This is to notify you that the final notice for the revision of the United States Standards for Grades of Maple Syrup will be published in the Federal Register on January 29, 2015. This revision will become effective 30 days after publication on March 2, 2015 AMS has revised grade standards for maple sirup (syrup) based on a petition from the maple syrup industry. The proposed revision defines quality factors and establishes new color determinations for Grade A, and established a new classification for Processing Grade. The grade of a sample unit of maple syrup would be ascertained considering the factors of color, flavor, odor, damage, and turbidity or cloudiness. Copies of the notice, and revised grade standards are attached, and are also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov AMS wishes to thank all of those involved for their efforts during this project. This revised standard will harmonize the voluntary Federal standards with those of the five states that have their own standards as well as those in Canada. These standards will provide better information to the consumers for purchasing maple syrup, and expand the marketing of maple syrup in North America and internationally. Sincere regards, Richard Peterson Agricultural Marketing Specialist Specialty Crops Inspection Division Agricultural Marketing Service United States Department of Agriculture richard.peterson@ams.usda.gov Phone: (202) 260-8158 | ||||||||
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^ Maple Poster, 24 x 36
^ Maple Card, 2 versions available: 4 x 6 with bleed, or 5 x 7 with white border. Both require double sided printing.
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Setting International Standards for
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| maple_classes_pst_e_24x36_prsrdy.pdf |
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Standard Definition, Grades and Nomenclature
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| international_grades_and_quality_standards.ppt |
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Status of Progress in Incorporating the IMSI Standard Grades Proposal into Federal and State/Provincial Maple Grades Regulations in the United States and Canada
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| progress_chart_standard_grades_proposal__updated___report_15_dec_2016_.pdf |
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JURISDICTION |
STATUS
– IMSI STANDARD GRADES PROPOSAL |
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CANADA |
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency(CFIA) commenced work
on the standard grades file following the unanimous passage of a motion in
the Canadian Senate, recommending the adoption of the IMSI Standard Grades
Proposal. Following a round of public consultation, the CFIA has prepared the
regulations. They were published for public comment in Canada Gazette Part 1
on June 28th, 2014. The 75 day public comment period ended on September 10th,
2014. The approved final Maple Grading Amendments and requirements were
published in Gazette 2 on December 31st, 2014. Gazette 2 can be accessed at http://canadagazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2014/2014-12-31/html/sor-dors297-eng.php
CFIA registered establishments and maple syrup imports and exports in all
provinces are subject to the MPR grading requirements. Maple syrup sold
within the different provinces is subject to any applicable provincial
regulatory requirement; only Ontario and Quebec currently have
provincial-level maple grading regulations in place. The approved regulations
allow for a two year transition period to accommodate the new Canadian maple
grading requirement. |
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PROVINCES |
Ontario |
OMAFRA and MRA staff have reviewed the Canada Gazette 1
publication of the proposed maple grades amendments. The Ontario Maple Syrup
Producers has strongly encouraged Ministry staff to re-open the Provincial
level Maple Grades Regulations to accommodate the changes proposed by the
IMSI. Both the Ontario Maple Syrup Producers Association and the IMSI are
monitoring the status of follow-up on the proposed Maple Grades amendments in
Ontario. Now that the Canadian Federal government has published Gazette 2 ,
based on early indications from the government, it was expected that the
province would re-open its Maple Grading Regulations to accommodate the
amendments. However, the Ontario government is currently stalling and appears
to be resisting re-opening of the Regulations. The Ontario Maple Syrup Producers
Association will continue to work at the political level in an attempt to
move the government to action. |
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Quebec |
MAPAQ officials have reviewed the Canada Gazette 1
publication of proposed maple grades amendments. IMSI member representatives
are maintaining contact with MAPAQ officials and will continue to monitor the
status of the proposal in Quebec. The Quebec government continues to consider
the proposed amendments. Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers will need
to align their grading and classification system with the IMSI Proposal. At
the beginning of January 2015, the FPAQ sent a letter to MAPAQ officials
asking the to revise their maple grading regulations and offering our support
during this process. MAPAQ acknowledged receipt of the Federation letter and
we are awaiting further developments. The Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers will need
to align their grading and classification system with the IMSI Proposal. This
is separate from maple grading regulations administered by the Quebec
government. |
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UNITED
STATES |
The notice for the proposed revision of the United States
Standards for grades of maple syrup was published in the Federal Register on
May 7th 2014 and allowed for a 60 day public comment period. The Register
posting ended on July 7th and USDA officials are reviewing and addressing the
comments received during the posting period. Both the IMSI and the NAMSC have
sent letters of support for the maple grades amendments proposed by USDA.
Comments received following the Register posting were largely supportive of
the proposed grading amendments. The final notice for the revision of the
United States Standards for Grades of Maple Syrup will be published in the
Federal Register on January 29, 2015. This revision will become effective 30
days after publication on March 2, 2015
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STATES |
Vermont |
A joint resolution supporting the grade changes was passed
by both the Senate and House in 2013. This was requested by the Governor and
Secretary of Agriculture to show legislative support for the changes. The
Vermont Agency of Agriculture and the Vermont Maple Sugarmakers Association
are assisting implementation of the new grading rules that went into effect
on January 1, 2014. There was a one year grandfather period to use existing
grade labeling, and a 3 year period for sales of Vermont syrup within the
State of Vermont to use both the old and the new grading systems. Feedback
the IMSI has received from the Vermont Agency of Agriculture and from IMSI
members in Vermont has been positive and implementation is proceeding well
to-date. Based on reports received , consumers are especially liking the
taste descriptors on the new product labels. Vermont is entering its second
year of implementation in 2015. |
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Maine |
A new Bill passed in the Maine Legislature replaces the
existing maple syrup grading system for the State with the new grading system
that has been proposed by the International Maple Syrup Institute. It
proposes a uniform grade of maple syrup: Grade A for maple syrup sold at
retail. The Bill was to take affect only upon adoption of the new grading
system by the United States Department of Agriculture and the Canadian
federal government and notice of the actions being provided by the
Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to the Secretary of
State, the Secretary of the Senate, the Clerk of the House of Representatives
and the Reviser of Statutes. Since, both the Canadian and US Federal
governments have announced the final maple amendments, Maine will be
implementing the new standard in 2015 with a one year transition period. |
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New York |
New York State government officials have developed Maple
Grades Regulations, incorporating the IMSI’s Maple Grades proposal. Public
hearings on the IMSI Grades proposal were held in 2013 with strong support
being the outcome from this exposure. In August 2013, the IMSI Executive
Director was informed that the maple syrup grade changes proposed by the IMSI
will be required in law in New York State on January 1st, 2015. |
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Ohio |
It is expected that Ohio will adopt the Federal level
Maple Grades Amendments now that they have been approved by the USDA. |
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New Hampshire |
Legislative approval was not required as part of the
approvals process in New Hampshire. The new grade rules were approved on
December 16, 2014 and must be complied with effective January 1st 2016 at the
latest. |
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