United States Standards for Grades of Muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia) Grapes, 45642-45643 [05-15555]

Download as PDF 45642 Notices Federal Register Vol. 70, No. 151 Monday, August 8, 2005 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency statements of organization and functions are examples of documents appearing in this section. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service [Docket No. FV05–378] Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of reestablishment of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee and a Request for Nominations AGENCY: SUMMARY: The USDA intends to reestablish the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (Committee). The purpose of the Committee is to examine the full spectrum of issues faced by the fruit and vegetable industry and provide suggestions and ideas to the Secretary of Agriculture on how USDA can tailor its programs to better meet the fruit and vegetable industry’s needs. USDA also seeks nominations of individuals to be considered for selection as Committee members. DATES: Written nominations must be received on or before September 30, 2005. ADDRESSES: Nominations should be sent to Robert C. Keeney, Deputy Administrator, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 2077–S, Stop 0235, Washington, DC 20250–0235; Facsimile: (202) 720–0016. E-mail: robert.keeney@usda.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Hatch, Designated Federal Official; Phone: (202) 690–0182; E-mail: andrew.hatch@usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (5 U.S.C. App.), notice is hereby given that the Secretary of Agriculture intends to reestablish the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee VerDate jul<14>2003 20:13 Aug 05, 2005 Jkt 205001 for two years. The purpose of the Committee is to examine the full spectrum of issues faced by the fruit and vegetable industry and provide suggestions and ideas to the Secretary on how USDA can tailor its programs to better meet the fruit and vegetable industry’s needs. The Deputy Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service’s Fruit and Vegetable Programs will serve as the Committee’s Executive Secretary. Representatives from USDA mission areas and agencies affecting the fruit and vegetable industry will be called upon to participate in the Committee’s meetings as determined by the Committee Chairperson. Industry members will be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture and serve 2-year terms. Membership will consist of up to twenty-five (25) members who represent the fruit and vegetable industry and will include individuals representing fruit and vegetable growers/shippers, wholesalers, brokers, retailers, processors, fresh cut processors, foodservice suppliers, state departments of agriculture, and trade associations. The members of the reestablished Committee will elect the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Committee. In absence of the Chairperson, the ViceChairperson will act in the Chairperson’s stead. The Secretary of Agriculture invites those individuals, organizations, and groups affiliated with the categories listed above to nominate individuals for membership on the reestablished Committee. Nominations should describe and document the proposed member’s qualifications for membership to the Committee, and list their name, title, address, telephone, and fax number. The Secretary of Agriculture seeks a diverse group of members representing a broad spectrum of persons interested in providing suggestions and ideas on how USDA can tailor its programs to meet the fruit and vegetable industry’s needs. Individuals who are nominated will receive necessary forms from USDA for membership. The biographical information and clearance forms must be completed and returned to USDA within 10 working days of notification, to expedite the clearance process that is required before selection of Committee members by the Secretary of Agriculture. PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Equal opportunity practices will be followed in all appointments to the Committee in accordance with USDA policies. To ensure that the recommendations of the Committee have taken into account the needs of the diverse groups served by USDA, membership shall include, to the extent practicable, individuals with demonstrated ability to represent minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and limited resource agriculture producers. Dated: August 3, 2005. Kenneth C. Clayton, Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. 05–15622 Filed 8–5–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–02–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service [Docket Number FV–05–311] United States Standards for Grades of Muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia) Grapes Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice; request for public comment. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is soliciting comments on its proposal to create a voluntary United States Standards for Grades of Muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia) Grapes. AMS has received a request from an industry group representing muscadine grape growers to develop a standard for Muscadine Grapes. This proposal will provide a common language for trade and a means of measuring value in the marketing of muscadine grapes, thus promoting orderly and efficient marketing of muscadine grapes. DATES: Comments must be received by October 7, 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 E:\FR\FM\08AUN1.SGM 08AUN1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 151 / Monday, August 8, 2005 / Notices 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 proposed U.S. Standards for Grades of Muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia) Grapes are available either from the above address or the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Fresh Products Branch Web site at: https:// www.ams.usda.gov/fv/ fpbdocketlist.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 establish voluntary United States Standards for Grades of Muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia) Grapes using procedures that appear in part 36, title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR part 36). Background The petitioner, an industry group representing growers, requested that AMS develop a grade standard for muscadine grapes. AMS attended various industry meetings, visited several grower facilities, and worked with University Extension Specialists to collect information regarding muscadine grapes for the development of grade standards. In January 2004, a discussion draft for the proposed standard was sent out to the muscadine grape industry for input. Based on information gathered and comments rendered by the industry, AMS has developed a proposed U.S. Standards for Grades of Muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia) Grapes. The proposal would establish the following grades as well as a tolerance for each grade: U.S. Extra No. 1 and U.S. No. 1. In addition, proposed ‘‘Application of Tolerances’’ VerDate jul<14>2003 20:13 Aug 05, 2005 Jkt 205001 and ‘‘Size Classifications’’ sections would be established. This proposal also defines ‘‘Damage,’’ ‘‘Serious Damage,’’ specific basic requirements and other defects. AMS is soliciting comments on the proposed standard to better serve the industry and the probable impact on growers, processors, and distributors. This proposal will provide a common language for trade and a means of measuring value in the marketing of muscadine grapes. The official grade of a lot of muscadine grapes covered by these standards will be 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 the proposed U.S. Standards for Grades of Muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia) Grapes. Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621–1627. Dated: August 2, 2005. Kenneth C. Clayton, Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. 05–15555 Filed 8–5–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–02–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Food and Nutrition Service Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request—Food Stamp Program Application, Form FNS–252, Food Stamp Application for Stores Food and Nutrition Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: SUMMARY: USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has revised its Food Stamp Program Application for Stores, Form FNS–252 in Fiscal Year (FY) 2004. The form was revised to simplify and streamline information collected from retailers on the application and make it easier to read. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) granted a one year approval of the use of this form. FNS did not begin to use the new form until the fourth quarter of FY 2004 when the new Store Tracking and Redemption Subsystem (STARS II) became operational. We are soliciting public comments on the content, format and design of the revised Form FNS– 252. As conditions of clearance for the revised retailer application, OMB is PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 45643 requiring that FNS translate the Form FNS–252 into Spanish and have it in active use within the year. OMB is also requiring FNS to track and report on the completion rates for questions 14c, 15b, 16, and 17b. FNS translated the Form FNS–252, into Spanish and is in the process of working with a contractor to post this information on the FNS website. We expect to have the Spanish version of Form FNS–252 in active use by the end of the fourth quarter of FY 2005. FNS is also in the process of tracking the completion rate of those questions identified by OMB, and referenced above. We will report the results upon resubmission to OMB for approval. Finally, a question asking retailers to provide the number of check-out registers that are in the store was omitted from the revised Form FNS–252 in error. FNS needs this information for program management purposes, and it impacts our ability to accurately provide point-of-sale information to third party processors and State contractors. As a result of this finding, FNS intends to add this question to the revised Form FNS–252. DATES: Written comments must be received on or before October 7, 2005, to be assured of consideration. ADDRESSES: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to Andrea Gordon, Chief, Retailer Management Branch, Benefit Redemption Division, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 404, Alexandria, VA 22302; FAX number (703) 305–1863; or via e-mail to: BRDHQWEB@fns.usda.gov. All submitted comments should refer to the title of this notice and/or the OMB approval number. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public record. E:\FR\FM\08AUN1.SGM 08AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 151 (Monday, August 8, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45642-45643]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-15555]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket Number FV-05-311]


United States Standards for Grades of Muscadine (Vitis 
rotundifolia) Grapes

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; request for public comment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is soliciting 
comments on its proposal to create a voluntary United States Standards 
for Grades of Muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia) Grapes. AMS has received a 
request from an industry group representing muscadine grape growers to 
develop a standard for Muscadine Grapes. This proposal will provide a 
common language for trade and a means of measuring value in the 
marketing of muscadine grapes, thus promoting orderly and efficient 
marketing of muscadine grapes.

DATES: Comments must be received by October 7, 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 45643]]

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 proposed U.S. Standards for Grades of Muscadine (Vitis 
rotundifolia) Grapes are available either from the above address or the 
Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Fresh Products Branch Web site 
at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/fpbdocketlist.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 establish voluntary United States Standards for 
Grades of Muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia) Grapes using procedures that 
appear in part 36, title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR 
part 36).

Background

    The petitioner, an industry group representing growers, requested 
that AMS develop a grade standard for muscadine grapes. AMS attended 
various industry meetings, visited several grower facilities, and 
worked with University Extension Specialists to collect information 
regarding muscadine grapes for the development of grade standards. In 
January 2004, a discussion draft for the proposed standard was sent out 
to the muscadine grape industry for input. Based on information 
gathered and comments rendered by the industry, AMS has developed a 
proposed U.S. Standards for Grades of Muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia) 
Grapes. The proposal would establish the following grades as well as a 
tolerance for each grade: U.S. Extra No. 1 and U.S. No. 1. In addition, 
proposed ``Application of Tolerances'' and ``Size Classifications'' 
sections would be established. This proposal also defines ``Damage,'' 
``Serious Damage,'' specific basic requirements and other defects. AMS 
is soliciting comments on the proposed standard to better serve the 
industry and the probable impact on growers, processors, and 
distributors.
    This proposal will provide a common language for trade and a means 
of measuring value in the marketing of muscadine grapes. The official 
grade of a lot of muscadine grapes covered by these standards will be 
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 the proposed U.S. Standards for Grades of 
Muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia) Grapes.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627.

    Dated: August 2, 2005.
Kenneth C. Clayton,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 05-15555 Filed 8-5-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P

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