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Op-Ed Vaccinium Oxycoccus - Beware by John C. Decas 5/24/02 -- At the Massachusetts Cranberry Marketing Committee amendment hearings this week, I submitted three paragraphs under Proposal #15 in the hope that the USDA will add them to the proposed amendment that someone submitted to include Vaccinium oxycoccus to the definition of cranberry. In the early 1980’s, the Food and Drug Administration officially declared Vaccinium oxycoccus (European wild berries) as cranberries, as it remains to this day. Vaccinium oxycoccus was pumped into the US by as much as 600,000 bbl./year in the mid-90’s when prices were high. These imports were a significant contribution to the surplus. To the best of my knowledge Vaccinium oxycoccus is only coming into the US today as organic, since organic prices are high. Non-organic Vaccinium oxycoccus is bound to be imported in large volumes again when prices rise to a higher level. I am hopeful that all US growers will support my proposals, which are an attempt to protect US growers from the affects of Vaccinium oxycoccus being dumped into the US market and destabilizing our markets once again. Please express your views on this matter when the CMC hearings are conducted in your state over the next two weeks. Your testimony will be of great value in the effort to influence the USDA to adopt these proposed paragraphs, which read as follows: (c) The Committee shall keep separate berries of the fruits Vaccinium macrocarpon and Vaccinium oxycoccus in handler inventory reports. This separation must be shown on all inventory reports as reported to the Committee. (d) The Committee shall take all available steps and procedures to keep a running track of all imported oxycoccus and the country of origin. All such data shall be documented and reported to the Committee and the industry on a quarterly basis. (e) The Committee, with the approval of the Secretary, may make any effort to ensure the authenticity of imported cranberry ingredients produced from the fruits Vaccinium macrocarpon and Vaccinium oxycoccus. Approval of these proposals will allow the CMC to remain aware of the flow of Vaccinium oxycoccus and to be prepared to act appropriately to protect US growers in the future. Feel free to call me if you have any questions.
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