United States Standards for Grades of Mixed Commodities, 3816-3817 [E6-780]

Download as PDF 3816 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 15 / Tuesday, January 24, 2006 / Notices Products Branch Web site at: https:// www.ams.usda.gov/standards/ stanfrfv.htm. of Fresh Fruits, Vegetables and Other Products (Sec. 51.1 to 51.61). The United States Standards for Grades of Fresh Asparagus will be effective 30 days after publication of this notice in the Federal Register. Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621–1627. Dated: January 18, 2006. Lloyd C. Day, Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. E6–782 Filed 1–23–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–02–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service [Docket Number FV–05–305] United States Standards for Grades of Globe Artichokes Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. rmajette on PROD1PC67 with NOTICES1 AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) is revising the United States Standards for Grades of Globe Artichokes. Specifically, AMS is revising the standards to add a U.S. No. 1 Long Stem grade along with an undersize tolerance of 5 percent in the standards. The new grade will have the same requirements as the U.S. No. 1 except that the stems must be smoothly cut to a minimum length of at least 8 inches, unless specified to a longer length in connection with the grade. AMS is further defining ‘‘fairly compact’’ by including a definition for ‘‘slightly spread’’ to mean, ‘‘the outer scales may be slightly open, but the inner scales at the tip of the artichoke must be closely folded into the bud.’’ The revisions would bring the standards for globe artichokes in line with current marketing practices, thereby improving their usefulness in serving the industry. DATES: Effective Date: February 23, 2006. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheri L. Emery, Standardization Section, Fresh Products Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 1661 South Building, STOP 0240, Washington, DC 20250–0240, Fax (202) 720–8871 or call (202) 720–2185; E-mail Cheri.Emery@usda.gov. The revised United States Standards for Grades of Globe Artichokes will be available either through the address cited above or by accessing the AMS, Fresh VerDate Aug<31>2005 14:44 Jan 23, 2006 Jkt 208001 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 revising the voluntary United States Standards for Grades of Globe Artichokes using procedures that appear in Part 36, Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR part 36). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Prior to undertaking work to develop a proposed revision to the standard, AMS published a notice on April 26, 2005, in the Federal Register (70 FR 21391) soliciting comments on a possible revision to the United States Standards for Grades of Globe Artichokes. After receiving comments, a second notice was published in the September 12, 2005, Federal Register (70 FR 53774) proposing to revise the standards by adding a new grade ‘‘U.S. No. 1 Long Stem’’ and further defining ‘‘fairly compact’’ by including a definition for ‘‘slightly spread.’’ In response to this notice AMS received one comment from an industry group supporting the proposed revision. The comment is available by accessing the AMS, Fresh Products Branch Web site at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/ fpbdocketlist.htm. Based on comments received and information gathered, AMS believes the revision to the standards will bring the standards for globe artichokes in line with current marketing practices and thereby improve their usefulness. The official grade of a lot of globe artichokes covered by these standards is 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). PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 The United States Standards for Grades of Globe Artichokes will become effective 30 days after the publication of this notice in the Federal Register. Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621–1627. Dated: January 18, 2006. Lloyd C. Day, Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. E6–785 Filed 1–23–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–02–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service [Docket Number FV–06–301] United States Standards for Grades of Mixed Commodities Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) is soliciting comments on the proposed voluntary United States Standards for Grades of Mixed Commodities. This action is being taken at the request of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee, which asked AMS to identify products that may be better served if grade standards are developed. The proposed standards would provide industry with a common language and uniform basis for trading, thus promoting orderly and efficient marketing of fresh produce shipments containing different commodities packaged in the same container. DATES: Comments must be received by March 27, 2006. 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 and on the Internet. The draft of the proposed United States Standards for Grades of Mixed Commodities is available by accessing AMS, Fresh Products Branch Web site at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/ fpbdocketlist.htm. E:\FR\FM\24JAN1.SGM 24JAN1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 15 / Tuesday, January 24, 2006 / Notices FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheri L. Emery, at the above address or call (202) 720–2185, e-mail Cheri.Emery@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 the USDA/AMS/Fruit and Vegetable Programs. AMS is proposing to establish voluntary United States Standards for Grades of Mixed Commodities using the procedures that appear in Part 36, Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR part 36). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: rmajette on PROD1PC67 with NOTICES1 Background At a meeting of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee, AMS was asked to identify fresh fruit and vegetables that may be better served if grade standards are developed. AMS identified fresh produce that are uniformly packaged with different types of commodities in the same container, as possibly in need of official grade standards. Such standards are used by the fresh produce industry to describe the products they are trading, thus facilitating the marketing of those products. AMS has developed proposed voluntary grade standards for shipments of mixed commodities. These standards would establish a grade U.S. Mixed as well as sections pertaining to sampling, tolerances, application of tolerances, and definitions for Injury, Damage and Serious Damage. The adoption of these proposed standards would provide the ever expanding mixed commodity industry with U.S. grade standards similar to those extensively in use by the fresh produce industry to assist in orderly marketing of other commodities. The official grade of a lot of mixed commodities covered by these standards will be determined by the procedures set forth in the Regulations Governing VerDate Aug<31>2005 14:44 Jan 23, 2006 Jkt 208001 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 United States Standards for Grades of Mixed Commodities. Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621–1627. Dated: January 18, 2006. Lloyd C. Day, Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. E6–780 Filed 1–23–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–02–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service [Docket Number FV–05–308] United States Standards for Grades of Pea Pods Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) is soliciting comments on the proposed voluntary United States Standards for Grades of Pea Pods. This action is being taken at the request of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee, which asked AMS to identify commodities that may be better served if grade standards are developed. The proposed standards would provide industry with a common language and uniform basis for trading, thus promoting the orderly and efficient marketing of pea pods. DATES: Comments must be received by March 27, 2006. 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 and on the Internet. The draft of the proposed United States Standards for Grades of Pea Pods is available by accessing AMS, Fresh Products Branch Web site at: https:// PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 3817 www.ams.usda.gov/fv/ fpbdocketlist.htm. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheri L. Emery, at the above address or call (202) 720–2185; E-mail Cheri.Emery@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 that are not requirements of 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 Pea Pods using the procedures that appear in Part 36, Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR part 36). Background At a meeting of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee, AMS was asked to identify fresh fruit and vegetables that may be better served if grade standards are developed. As a result, AMS identified pea pods, or as they are sometimes called snow peas, as a commodity possibly in need of official grade standards. Such standards are used by the fresh produce industry to describe the product they are trading, thus facilitating the marketing of the product. Prior to undertaking research and other work associated to develop the standards, AMS published a notice on May 2, 2005 in the Federal Register (70 FR 83) soliciting comments on the possible development of the United States Standards for Grades of Pea Pods. In response to the request for comments, AMS received one comment on the development of U.S. standards for pea pods. The comment was from an industry group that expressed support for the development of standards for pea pods. The comment is available by accessing AMS, Fresh Products Branch Web site at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/ fvfpbdocketlist.htm. Based on the E:\FR\FM\24JAN1.SGM 24JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 15 (Tuesday, January 24, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3816-3817]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-780]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket Number FV-06-301]


United States Standards for Grades of Mixed Commodities

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) is soliciting comments on the proposed voluntary 
United States Standards for Grades of Mixed Commodities. This action is 
being taken at the request of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory 
Committee, which asked AMS to identify products that may be better 
served if grade standards are developed. The proposed standards would 
provide industry with a common language and uniform basis for trading, 
thus promoting orderly and efficient marketing of fresh produce 
shipments containing different commodities packaged in the same 
container.

DATES: Comments must be received by March 27, 2006.

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 and on the Internet.
    The draft of the proposed United States Standards for Grades of 
Mixed Commodities is available by accessing AMS, Fresh Products Branch 
Web site at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/fpbdocketlist.htm.

[[Page 3817]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheri L. Emery, at the above address 
or call (202) 720-2185, e-mail Cheri.Emery@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 the USDA/AMS/Fruit and Vegetable 
Programs.
    AMS is proposing to establish voluntary United States Standards for 
Grades of Mixed Commodities using the procedures that appear in Part 
36, Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR part 36).

Background

    At a meeting of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory 
Committee, AMS was asked to identify fresh fruit and vegetables that 
may be better served if grade standards are developed. AMS identified 
fresh produce that are uniformly packaged with different types of 
commodities in the same container, as possibly in need of official 
grade standards. Such standards are used by the fresh produce industry 
to describe the products they are trading, thus facilitating the 
marketing of those products.
    AMS has developed proposed voluntary grade standards for shipments 
of mixed commodities. These standards would establish a grade U.S. 
Mixed as well as sections pertaining to sampling, tolerances, 
application of tolerances, and definitions for Injury, Damage and 
Serious Damage.
    The adoption of these proposed standards would provide the ever 
expanding mixed commodity industry with U.S. grade standards similar to 
those extensively in use by the fresh produce industry to assist in 
orderly marketing of other commodities.
    The official grade of a lot of mixed commodities 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 United States Standards for Grades 
of Mixed Commodities.

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

    Dated: January 18, 2006.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. E6-780 Filed 1-23-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P

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