United States Standards for Grades of Sweet Peppers, 12176-12177 [05-4814]
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12176
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 47 / Friday, March 11, 2005 / Notices
or call (202) 720–2185, E-mail
David.Priester@usda.gov.
Section
203(c) of the Agricultural Marketing Act
of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621–1627), as
amended, directs and authorizes the
Secretary of Agriculture ‘‘to develop and
improve standards of quality, condition,
quantity, grade and packaging and
recommend and demonstrate such
standards in order to encourage
uniformity and consistency in
commercial practices * * *.’’ AMS is
committed to carrying out this authority
in a manner that facilitates the
marketing of agricultural commodities
and makes copies of official standards
available upon request. The United
States Standards for Grades of Fruits
and Vegetables not connected with
Federal Marketing Orders or U.S. Import
Requirements, no longer appear in the
Code of Federal Regulations, but are
maintained by USDA/AMS/Fruit and
Vegetable Programs.
AMS is proposing to revise the
voluntary United States Standards for
Grades of Strawberries using procedures
that appear in Part 36 Title 7 of the Code
of Federal Regulations (7 CFR Part 36).
These standards were last revised in
1965.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
AMS received a petition from the CSC
requesting a revision to the United
States Standards for Grades of
Strawberries. The standards are
established under the authority of the
Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7
U.S.C. 1621–1627). The petitioner
represents more than 700 strawberry
growers, shippers, and processors.
The petitioner is requesting that
USDA revise the standards to allow that
percentages be determined on the basis
of count and not volume. Currently the
standards state that the percentages of
defects will be determined on the basis
of volume. The volume is determined by
counting the berries in a sample, and
then dividing the total number of berries
into 100 percent. The resulting number
will be the percentage by volume of the
average size berry in the sample. For
example, in a sample that has 25 berries
the average size berry will be equal to
4 percent with smaller berries
representing less and larger berries
representing more of the percentage by
volume in the sample. Industry believes
determining percentages by count will
simplify tolerance determination.
Prior to undertaking detailed work to
develop a proposed revision to the
standard, AMS is soliciting comments
on the petition submitted to revise the
VerDate jul<14>2003
16:40 Mar 10, 2005
Jkt 205001
United States Standards for Grades of
Strawberries.
This notice provides for a 60-day
comment period for interested parties to
comment on changes to the standards.
Should AMS conclude that revisions are
needed, the Agency will develop a
proposed revised standard that will be
published in the Federal Register with
a request for comments in accordance
with 7 CFR Part 36.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621–1627.
Dated: March 7, 2005.
Kenneth C. Clayton,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 05–4812 Filed 3–10–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–02–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket Number FV–04–308]
United States Standards for Grades of
Sweet Peppers
Agricultural Marketing Service,
USDA.
ACTION: Notice, request for public
comment.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing
Service (AMS), of the Department of
Agriculture (USDA) is soliciting
comments on it’s proposal to revise the
United States Standards for Grades of
Sweet Peppers. This action is being
taken at the request of the Fruit and
Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee,
which asked AMS to review the grade
standards for possible revision. AMS is
proposing to revise the standards to
report decay affecting the stems under
the serious damage tolerance in all
grades instead of the more restrictive
tolerance of two percent for decay.
Additionally, AMS is proposing to
amend the similar varietal requirement
to allow mixed colors and/or types
when designated as speciality packs and
remove the unclassified category. AMS
is proposing to remove the requirement
to re-designate lots of sweet peppers as
‘‘Mixed Color’’ in the grade statement
when peppers fail to meet the color
requirement. AMS is also proposing to
include the Mixed Color designation as
an option for any lot of sweet peppers
intentionally packed with peppers of
different color. The proposed revisions
would bring the standards for sweet
peppers in line with current marketing
practices, thereby improving the
usefulness of the standards in serving
the industry.
DATES: Comments must be received by
May 10, 2005.
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Interested persons are
invited to submit written comments to
the Standardization Section, Fresh
Products Branch, Fruit and Vegetable
Programs, Agricultural Marketing
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
1400 Independence Ave. SW., Room
1661 South Building, Stop 0240,
Washington, DC 20250–0240; fax (202)
720–8871, e-mail
FPB.DocketClerk@usda.gov. Comments
should make reference to the dates and
page number of this issue of the Federal
Register and will be made available for
public inspection in the above office
during regular business hours. The
United States Standards for Grades of
Sweet Peppers are available either
through the address cited above or by
accessing the Fresh Products Branch
Web site at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/
standards/stanfrfv.htm.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
David L. Priester, at the above address
or call (202) 720–2185; e-mail
David.Priester@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section
203(c) of the Agricultural Marketing Act
of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621–1627), as
amended, directs and authorizes the
Secretary of Agriculture ‘‘to develop and
improve standards of quality, condition,
quantity, grade and packaging and
recommend and demonstrate such
standards in order to encourage
uniformity and consistency in
commercial practices * * *.’’ AMS is
committed to carrying out this authority
in a manner that facilitates the
marketing of agricultural commodities
and makes copies of official standards
available upon request. The United
States Standards for Grades of Fruits
and Vegetables not connected with
Federal Marketing Orders or U.S. Import
Requirements, no longer appear in the
Code of Federal Regulations, but are
maintained by USDA/AMS/Fruit and
Vegetable Programs.
AMS is proposing to revise the
voluntary U.S. Standards for Grades of
Sweet Peppers using procedures that
appear in Part 36 Title 7 of the Code of
Federal Regulations (7 CFR Part 36).
These standards were last revised in
1989.
ADDRESSES:
Background
Prior to undertaking research and
other work associated with revision of
the grade standards, AMS published a
notice in the Federal Register (69 FR
33345) on June 15, 2004, soliciting
comments on the possible revision to
the United States Standards for Grades
of Sweet Peppers.
In response to our request for
comments, AMS received three
E:\FR\FM\11MRN1.SGM
11MRN1
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 47 / Friday, March 11, 2005 / Notices
comments from industry groups. One
comment was in favor of the proposed
revisions of the standard and two
comments were opposed.
One comment from an industry
association which represents growers,
packers and shippers is in favor of the
proposal to amend the United States
Standards for Grades of Sweet Peppers
by separating the scoring and reporting
of decay affecting the walls and calyxes
from decay affecting the stems only. The
proposed tolerances would allow decay
affecting the stems only to be scored
under the serious damage tolerance in
all grades, and decay affecting the walls
and/or calyxes shall continue to be
scored under the more restrictive
tolerance of two percent for decay.
AMS also received one comment from
an industry group which represents
receivers. The comment did not support
the proposed revision to the decay
tolerance. The commenter stated that all
decay has a serious negative impact on
the appearance and marketability of the
product and requested not to change the
decay tolerances. AMS also received
one comment from an industry
association which represents producers.
The commenter proposes that decay
affecting the stems and calyxes should
not be scored against any grade, and
should only be noted on the inspectors’s
notesheet and not reported on the
certificate. AMS has reviewed stem
decay affecting various commodities
and believes the proposed changes
would bring sweet peppers in line with
other grade standards with regards to
stem decay. Decay affecting the stem
only does not affect the edible portion
of the pepper, and does not affect the
marketability to the same degree as
decay affecting the walls and/or calyx.
AMS believes a revision to the decay
tolerance is warranted to better serve the
industry.
Further, AMS requested comments on
the use of color terms ‘‘chocolate’’ and
‘‘suntan’’ which are trade terms used by
the industry to describe the color of
some peppers. AMS received one
comment regarding trade terms for
color. The comment does not support
including the industry terms into the
grade standards. The commenter
believes the use of such terms will
result in a dispute over nearly every
shipment. In view of the above, AMS
does not recommend inclusion of such
trade terms into the existing grade
standard.
AMS received one comment
requesting the grade standards designate
how hybrid varieties which turn several
colors should be scored. Currently the
standard allows characteristic color
other than green to be specified in
VerDate jul<14>2003
16:40 Mar 10, 2005
Jkt 205001
connection with the grade.
Additionally, when peppers fail to meet
the color requirements of the grade for
green lots or specified color, they are
designated as Mixed Color. Current
marketing practices for specialty packs
which include mixed colors and/or
types of sweet peppers would not meet
the similar varietal characteristic
requirements for all grades in the
standards. Accordingly, AMS is
proposing to amend the similar varietal
requirement to allow mixed colors and/
or types of sweet peppers when
designated as a mixed or speciality
pack.
AMS requested comments on industry
terms for size based on 11⁄9 bushel
containers. As a result, AMS received
one comment in favor of developing size
requirements. The commenter requested
that a requirement for fairly uniform be
added to the standard. This would
require that sweet peppers could not
exceed 1⁄2 inch in diameter variance
within containers and the diameter of
peppers should not exceed the length of
the pepper, otherwise the pepper is
misshapen. AMS believes these
requirements would be too restricting
and would cause confusion by
combining fairly uniform with shape
requirements. The commenter also
requested size definitions (small,
medium, large, extra large and jumbo)
for peppers packed in 11⁄9 bushel
containers which are based on a count
per container, as well as minimum
diameters for each category. The size
classifications requested did not
represent all ranges between size
classifications and included minimum
diameters which do not meet the
current minimum diameters for the U.S.
Fancy and U.S. No. 1 grades. These
terms would not be applicable to 11, 15
and 25 pound containers which are
commonly used in today’s market.
Further, the commenter requested
marking requirements which would
require all cartons to be clearly marked
by count and/or size, and establish the
size of a standard box, however, the
comment did not recommend a standard
size box. The current standard contains
three grades. The U.S. Fancy and U.S.
No. 1 grades contain minimum length
and diameter requirements.
Additionally, inspections of sweet
peppers may be based on specified size
and count per container or other
contract specifications upon request.
AMS believes it would be impractical to
apply such requirements due to the
various varietal characteristics of sweet
peppers regarding shape and size, and
the lack of a standardized container.
AMS proposes to eliminate the
unclassified category. This section is not
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
12177
a grade and only serves to show that no
grade has been applied to the lot. Since
this designation is rarely used and may
create some confusion in the
marketplace, it should be discontinued.
The official grade of a lot of sweet
peppers covered by these standards are
determined by the procedures set forth
in the Regulations Governing
Inspection, Certification, and Standards
of Fresh Fruits, Vegetables and Other
Products (Sec. 51.1 to 51.61).
This notice provides for a 60-day
comment period for interested parties to
comment on changes to the standards.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621–1627.
Dated: March 7, 2005.
Kenneth C. Clayton,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 05–4814 Filed 3–10–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–02–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
New Mexico Collaborative Forest
Restoration Program Technical
Advisory Panel
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of meeting.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The New Mexico
Collaborative Forest Restoration
Program Technical Advisory Panel will
meet in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The
purpose of the meeting is to provide
recommendations to the Register Forest,
USDA Forest Service Southwestern
Region, on which forest restoration
grant proposals submitted in response to
the Collaborative Forest Restoration
Program Request For Proposals best
meet the objectives of the Community
Forest Restoration Act (Title VI, Pub. L.
106–393).
DATES: The meeting will be held April
25–29, 2005, beginning at 1 p.m. on
Monday, April 25 and ending at
approximately 4 p.m. on Friday, April
29.
The meeting will be held at
the Nativo Lodge, 6000 Pan American
Freeway NE., Albuquerque, NM 87109,
(505) 798–4300. Written comments
should be sent to Walter Dunn, at the
Cooperative and International Forestry
Staff, USDA Forest Service, 333
Broadway SE., Albuquerque, NM 87102.
Comments may also be sent via e-mail
to wdunn@fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to
Walter Dunn at (505) 842–3165.
All comments, including names and
address when provided, are place in the
record and are available for public
inspection and copying. The public may
ADDRESSES:
E:\FR\FM\11MRN1.SGM
11MRN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 47 (Friday, March 11, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12176-12177]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-4814]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket Number FV-04-308]
United States Standards for Grades of Sweet Peppers
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice, request for public comment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), of the Department of
Agriculture (USDA) is soliciting comments on it's proposal to revise
the United States Standards for Grades of Sweet Peppers. This action is
being taken at the request of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory
Committee, which asked AMS to review the grade standards for possible
revision. AMS is proposing to revise the standards to report decay
affecting the stems under the serious damage tolerance in all grades
instead of the more restrictive tolerance of two percent for decay.
Additionally, AMS is proposing to amend the similar varietal
requirement to allow mixed colors and/or types when designated as
speciality packs and remove the unclassified category. AMS is proposing
to remove the requirement to re-designate lots of sweet peppers as
``Mixed Color'' in the grade statement when peppers fail to meet the
color requirement. AMS is also proposing to include the Mixed Color
designation as an option for any lot of sweet peppers intentionally
packed with peppers of different color. The proposed revisions would
bring the standards for sweet peppers in line with current marketing
practices, thereby improving the usefulness of the standards in serving
the industry.
DATES: Comments must be received by May 10, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to
the Standardization Section, Fresh Products Branch, Fruit and Vegetable
Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Room 1661 South Building, Stop
0240, Washington, DC 20250-0240; fax (202) 720-8871, e-mail
FPB.DocketClerk@usda.gov. Comments should make reference to the dates
and page number of this issue of the Federal Register and will be made
available for public inspection in the above office during regular
business hours. The United States Standards for Grades of Sweet Peppers
are available either through the address cited above or by accessing
the Fresh Products Branch Web site at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/
standards/stanfrfv.htm.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David L. Priester, at the above
address or call (202) 720-2185; e-mail David.Priester@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 203(c) of the Agricultural Marketing
Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621-1627), as amended, directs and authorizes
the Secretary of Agriculture ``to develop and improve standards of
quality, condition, quantity, grade and packaging and recommend and
demonstrate such standards in order to encourage uniformity and
consistency in commercial practices * * *.'' AMS is committed to
carrying out this authority in a manner that facilitates the marketing
of agricultural commodities and makes copies of official standards
available upon request. The United States Standards for Grades of
Fruits and Vegetables not connected with Federal Marketing Orders or
U.S. Import Requirements, no longer appear in the Code of Federal
Regulations, but are maintained by USDA/AMS/Fruit and Vegetable
Programs.
AMS is proposing to revise the voluntary U.S. Standards for Grades
of Sweet Peppers using procedures that appear in Part 36 Title 7 of the
Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR Part 36). These standards were last
revised in 1989.
Background
Prior to undertaking research and other work associated with
revision of the grade standards, AMS published a notice in the Federal
Register (69 FR 33345) on June 15, 2004, soliciting comments on the
possible revision to the United States Standards for Grades of Sweet
Peppers.
In response to our request for comments, AMS received three
[[Page 12177]]
comments from industry groups. One comment was in favor of the proposed
revisions of the standard and two comments were opposed.
One comment from an industry association which represents growers,
packers and shippers is in favor of the proposal to amend the United
States Standards for Grades of Sweet Peppers by separating the scoring
and reporting of decay affecting the walls and calyxes from decay
affecting the stems only. The proposed tolerances would allow decay
affecting the stems only to be scored under the serious damage
tolerance in all grades, and decay affecting the walls and/or calyxes
shall continue to be scored under the more restrictive tolerance of two
percent for decay.
AMS also received one comment from an industry group which
represents receivers. The comment did not support the proposed revision
to the decay tolerance. The commenter stated that all decay has a
serious negative impact on the appearance and marketability of the
product and requested not to change the decay tolerances. AMS also
received one comment from an industry association which represents
producers. The commenter proposes that decay affecting the stems and
calyxes should not be scored against any grade, and should only be
noted on the inspectors's notesheet and not reported on the
certificate. AMS has reviewed stem decay affecting various commodities
and believes the proposed changes would bring sweet peppers in line
with other grade standards with regards to stem decay. Decay affecting
the stem only does not affect the edible portion of the pepper, and
does not affect the marketability to the same degree as decay affecting
the walls and/or calyx. AMS believes a revision to the decay tolerance
is warranted to better serve the industry.
Further, AMS requested comments on the use of color terms
``chocolate'' and ``suntan'' which are trade terms used by the industry
to describe the color of some peppers. AMS received one comment
regarding trade terms for color. The comment does not support including
the industry terms into the grade standards. The commenter believes the
use of such terms will result in a dispute over nearly every shipment.
In view of the above, AMS does not recommend inclusion of such trade
terms into the existing grade standard.
AMS received one comment requesting the grade standards designate
how hybrid varieties which turn several colors should be scored.
Currently the standard allows characteristic color other than green to
be specified in connection with the grade. Additionally, when peppers
fail to meet the color requirements of the grade for green lots or
specified color, they are designated as Mixed Color. Current marketing
practices for specialty packs which include mixed colors and/or types
of sweet peppers would not meet the similar varietal characteristic
requirements for all grades in the standards. Accordingly, AMS is
proposing to amend the similar varietal requirement to allow mixed
colors and/or types of sweet peppers when designated as a mixed or
speciality pack.
AMS requested comments on industry terms for size based on 1\1/9\
bushel containers. As a result, AMS received one comment in favor of
developing size requirements. The commenter requested that a
requirement for fairly uniform be added to the standard. This would
require that sweet peppers could not exceed \1/2\ inch in diameter
variance within containers and the diameter of peppers should not
exceed the length of the pepper, otherwise the pepper is misshapen. AMS
believes these requirements would be too restricting and would cause
confusion by combining fairly uniform with shape requirements. The
commenter also requested size definitions (small, medium, large, extra
large and jumbo) for peppers packed in 1\1/9\ bushel containers which
are based on a count per container, as well as minimum diameters for
each category. The size classifications requested did not represent all
ranges between size classifications and included minimum diameters
which do not meet the current minimum diameters for the U.S. Fancy and
U.S. No. 1 grades. These terms would not be applicable to 11, 15 and 25
pound containers which are commonly used in today's market. Further,
the commenter requested marking requirements which would require all
cartons to be clearly marked by count and/or size, and establish the
size of a standard box, however, the comment did not recommend a
standard size box. The current standard contains three grades. The U.S.
Fancy and U.S. No. 1 grades contain minimum length and diameter
requirements. Additionally, inspections of sweet peppers may be based
on specified size and count per container or other contract
specifications upon request. AMS believes it would be impractical to
apply such requirements due to the various varietal characteristics of
sweet peppers regarding shape and size, and the lack of a standardized
container.
AMS proposes to eliminate the unclassified category. This section
is not a grade and only serves to show that no grade has been applied
to the lot. Since this designation is rarely used and may create some
confusion in the marketplace, it should be discontinued.
The official grade of a lot of sweet peppers covered by these
standards are determined by the procedures set forth in the Regulations
Governing Inspection, Certification, and Standards of Fresh Fruits,
Vegetables and Other Products (Sec. 51.1 to 51.61).
This notice provides for a 60-day comment period for interested
parties to comment on changes to the standards.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627.
Dated: March 7, 2005.
Kenneth C. Clayton,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 05-4814 Filed 3-10-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
