USDA has launched a new Internet program designed to help fruit and vegetable traders understand the provisions of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). The training course explains legal rights and responsibilities, trade terms, payment requirements and interpretations of federal inspection certificates.

The course is divided into 10 units, and each unit can be completed in less than an hour. After reviewing the material for each unit, trainees may take an on-line self test. Each test is scored automatically to provide immediate confirmation on what has been learned. Each of the 10 units and tests can be accessed at any time at the user's convenience.

Once trainees have completed all 10 units satisfactorily, they will receive e-mail notification of having successfully completed the course. Graduates may request that a copy of their notification be sent to their employers as well.

PACA was implemented to encourage fair trading practices in marketing fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables in interstate and foreign commerce. It prohibits unfair and fraudulent practices and provides a mean to enforce contracts. Anyone buying or selling commercial quantities of fruit and vegetables must be licensed.

Kathleen A. Merrigan, administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service, said failing to understand and comply with PACA provisions "can put a business at a competitive disadvantage (and) could also result in awards issued against a firm for damages or in some cases the suspension or revocation of a PACA license."

AMS also recommends that users repeat the course every two to three years to stay up to date on changes to PACA and the effects on their businesses.

The web site for the PACA training course is http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/paca.htm.