The US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has requested comment on the creation of a voluntary National Leafy Green Marketing Agreement (NLGMA), in a bid to better assist all segments of the industry in meeting commercial food quality and safety requirements.
As part of the initiative, the USDA has proposed that eight regional zones are represented on the management board, allowing it to reflect the 'different climates, production practices and markets handling leafy green produce'.
This board would include 26 representatives, consisting of 12 handlers, 10 farmers, one importer, one retailer, one foodservice representative and one member of the public.
'This proposed agreement and governance structure provides an opportunity for farmers, handlers and retailers of all sizes to work together and develop a practice programme,' said agriculture deputy secretary Kathleen Merrigan. 'We are striving to create a voluntary programme so that all types of farmers and handlers can more effectively comply with quality and food safety requirements.'
In addition, the secretary would also appoint a Technical Review Committee to assist the board in the development of technical requirements commonly referred to as Good Agricultural Practices, Good Handling Practices and Good Manufacturing Practices, the USDA said.
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