A campaign to create a national leafy green marketing scheme in the US has stepped up with the news that groups representing the industry have submitted a letter to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) asking the group to formulate an agreement.

According to a new release, the marketing agreement would be designed to improve consumer confidence in leafy greens, improve product quality and implement a uniform, auditable science-based food quality enhancement programme, The Packer reported.

In addition, the order would implement best practices and averification programme that could reduce the potential for microbialcontamination in leafy green crops.

'This marketing agreement is an excellent example of our fresh produce associations working together for the good of the industry,' Charles Hall, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association said in the release.

Groups backing the marketing agreement include United Fresh Produce Association, Georgia Fresh Vegetable Association, Georgia Farm Bureau, Texas Vegetable Association, Arizona Farm Bureau, Leafy Greens Council, California Farm Bureau, California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement and Western Growers.

'A national marketing agreement would bring some much-needed clarity and consistency to the myriad, often conflicting and occasionally confounding food safety requirements now being imposed on leafy green producers,' said the Produce Marketing Associations Robert Whitaker.

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