WOODBURY, Vt. -
Vermont is iconic for maple syrup, it's a tradition passed down many generations and the proposed changes leave anything but a sweet taste in Kenneth Bushee's mouth.
"Are we going to lower our standards to keep up with the rest of the country? Or are they going to raise their standards to keep up with us? I'd hate to see ours lowered," said Bushee.
Here's what would change: The syrup now known as "Fancy" becomes "Golden Color - Delicate Taste.' ‘Grade A Medium Amber' changed to ‘Amber Color Rich Taste', and ‘Dark Amber' to ‘Dark Color Robust Taste.'
Dave Folino, a sugarer out of Bristol, is torn on the decision, "We'll be able to market better or at least equally with the bigger markets and we need those bigger markets."
But he understands the value of tradition and branding which are two things sugarer Ed Griffith, of Danby, can't let go of, "There's nothing I'd like better than to live in the county that's the only place in the world to produce Vermont fancy syrup."
Which is why he proposed Rutland County be exempt from the law. But Agriculture officials say it's important to stay competitive with the international markets, "In order to compete with Canadian syrup, other states syrup, if you're calling it the same thing than it all comes down to the quality of the product, the flavor and the price," said Henry Marckres, with the Vermont Department of Agriculture.
But he's certain Vermont syrup can beat out the rest when it comes to quality.
If passed the changes are not expected to happen until 2014. The next meeting is tomorrow in Woodstock.
