United States Standards for Grades of Table Grapes (European or Vinifera Type), 3818-3819 [E6-783]

Download as PDF 3818 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 15 / Tuesday, January 24, 2006 / Notices comment received and information gathered, AMS has developed proposed grade standards for pea pods. This proposal would establish the following grades, as well as a tolerance for each grade: U.S. Fancy and U.S. No. 1. In addition, there are proposed ‘‘Tolerances,’’ and ‘‘Application of Tolerances’’ sections. AMS is proposing to define ‘‘Injury,’’ ‘‘Damage’’ and ‘‘Serious Damage,’’ along with specific basic requirements and definitions for defects. The official grade of a lot or shipment of fresh vegetables covered by U.S. 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). This notice provides for a 60-day comment period for interested parties to comment on the proposed United States Standards for Grades of Pea Pods. Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621–1627. Dated: January 18, 2006. Lloyd C. Day, Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. E6–784 Filed 1–23–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–02–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service [Docket Number FV–05–301] 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 Strawberries. AMS received a request from an industry group to modify the standards to allow that percentages be determined by count and not volume. The change will make tolerance determination more objective and more uniform. 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 14:44 Jan 23, 2006 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 Strawberries using procedures that appear in Part 36, Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR part 36). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background United States Standards for Grades of Strawberries VerDate Aug<31>2005 Cheri.Emery@usda.gov. The revised United States Standards for Grades of Strawberries will be available either through the address cited above or by accessing the AMS, Fresh Products Branch Web site at: https:// www.ams.usda.gov/standards/ stanfrfv.htm. Jkt 208001 Frm 00004 Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621–1627. Dated: January 18, 2006. Lloyd C. Day, Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. E6–781 Filed 1–23–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–02–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service [Docket Number FV–06–304] United States Standards for Grades of Table Grapes (European or Vinifera Type) Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: Prior to undertaking detailed work to develop a proposed revision to the standard, AMS published a notice on March 11, 2005, in the Federal Register (70 FR 12175) soliciting comments on a possible revision to the United States Standards for Grades of Strawberries. After receiving comments, a second notice was published in the September 7, 2005, Federal Register (70 FR 53148– 9) concerning the proposed percentage determination. In response to this notice, AMS received one comment from a state agricultural representative opposing 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. The comment stated that the size variance is too great to make a countbased inspection an accurate representation of the lot and that maybe the commodity should be inspected by weight. However, AMS believes that allowing percentages to be determined by count and not volume would establish a uniform procedure for determining the percentages, thereby PO 00000 providing more objectivity to an inspection. Additionally, AMS is eliminating the unclassified category. This section is being removed in all standards, when they are revised. This category is not a grade and only serves to show that no grade has been applied to the lot. It is no longer considered necessary. The official grade of a lot of strawberries 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). The United States Standards for Grades of Strawberries will become effective 30 days after the publication of this notice in the Federal Register. Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA), is soliciting comments on a proposal to revise the United States Standards for Grades of Table Grapes (European or Vinifera Type). AMS has received petitions from the California Grape and Tree Fruit League and Western Growers Association, requesting that the current standards be modified by adding a 10 percent allowance for shattered berries in consumer containers for en route or at destination. 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 E:\FR\FM\24JAN1.SGM 24JAN1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 15 / Tuesday, January 24, 2006 / Notices rmajette on PROD1PC67 with NOTICES1 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 Table Grapes (European or Vinifera Type) are available either through the address cited above or by accessing the AMS, Fresh Products Branch Web site at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/standards/ stanfrfv.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. present; (2) a lot of berries which has 23 percent shattered berries 13 percent would be reported as a defect which would cause the lot to fail meet the requirements of the U.S. No. Table 1 grade by 1 percent. The petitioners stated that they feel change, specific to consumer containers, is warranted as the majority of table grapes are now being sold in consumer containers which allows shattered berries to be fully utilized/sold. This does not hold true for shattered berries in bulk containers, as these berries remain loose in the container, therefore, limiting the ability to fully utilize/sell the shattered berries. Prior to undertaking detailed work to develop a proposed revision to the standards, AMS is soliciting comments on the petition submitted to revise the United States Standards for Grades of Table Grapes (European or Vinifera Type). 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. Background AMS received petitions from the California Grape and Tree Fruit League and Western Growers Association, requesting a revision to the United States Standards for Grades of Table Grapes (European or Vinifera Type). These standards were last revised in 1999. The petitioners represent more than 85 percent of the European or Vinifera type table grape production in the United States. The petitioners are requesting that AMS revise the standards to provide a 10 percent allowance for shattered berries in consumer containers for en route or at destination. Shattered means that the berry is detached from the bunch. The standards currently provide a 12 percent total tolerance for bunches and berries failing to meet the requirements of grade for en route or at destination. Revising the standards to include a separate 10 percent allowance would mean that shattered berries would not be scored as a defect against the 12 percent total tolerance until the amount of shattered berries exceeds the 10 percent allowance. For example: (1) A lot of berries which has 22 percent shattered berries 12 percent would be reported as a defect, this lot would meet the requirements of the U.S. No. 1 Table grade provided no other defects were Dated: January 18, 2006. Lloyd C. Day, Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. E6–783 Filed 1–23–06; 8:45 am] VerDate Aug<31>2005 14:44 Jan 23, 2006 Jkt 208001 Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621–1627. BILLING CODE 3410–02–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Food and Nutrition Service Summer Food Service Program for Children Program Reimbursement for 2006 Food and Nutrition Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: This notice informs the public of the annual adjustments to the reimbursement rates for meals served in the Summer Food Service Program for Children (SFSP). These adjustments reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index and are required by the statute governing the Program. In addition, further adjustments are made to these rates to reflect the higher costs of providing meals in the States of Alaska and Hawaii, as authorized by the William F. Goodling Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act of 1998. DATES: Effective Date: January 1, 2006. PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 3819 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert M. Eadie, Branch Chief, Policy and Program Development Branch, Child Nutrition Division, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 640, Alexandria, Virginia 22302, (703) 305–2590. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This program is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance under No. 10.559 and is subject to the provisions of Executive Order 12372 which requires intergovernmental consultation with State and local officials (7 CFR part 3015, subpart V, and final rule related notice published at 48 FR 29114, June 24, 1983). In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501– 3518), no new recordkeeping or reporting requirements have been included that are subject to approval from the Office of Management and Budget. This notice is not a rule as defined by the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601–612) and thus is exempt from the provisions of that Act. Additionally, this notice has been determined to be exempt from review by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Order 12866. Definitions The terms used in this Notice shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the regulations governing the Summer Food Service Program for Children (7 CFR part 225). Background In accordance with Section 13 of the National School Lunch Act (NSLA) (42 U.S.C. 1761) and the regulations governing the SFSP (7 CFR part 225), notice is hereby given of adjustments in Program payments for meals served to children participating in the SFSP in 2006. Adjustments are based on changes in the food away from home series of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for All Urban Consumers for the period November 2004 through November 2005. Section 104(a) of the William F. Goodling Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act of 1998 (Public Law 105–336) amended Section 12(f) of the NSLA (42 U.S.C. 1760(f)) to allow adjustments to SFSP reimbursement rates to reflect the higher cost of providing meals in the SFSP in Alaska and Hawaii. Therefore, this notice contains adjusted rates for Alaska and Hawaii. This change was made in an effort to be consistent with other Child Nutrition Programs, such as the National School Lunch Program and the E:\FR\FM\24JAN1.SGM 24JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 15 (Tuesday, January 24, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3818-3819]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-783]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket Number FV-06-304]


United States Standards for Grades of Table Grapes (European or 
Vinifera Type)

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of 
Agriculture (USDA), is soliciting comments on a proposal to revise the 
United States Standards for Grades of Table Grapes (European or 
Vinifera Type). AMS has received petitions from the California Grape 
and Tree Fruit League and Western Growers Association, requesting that 
the current standards be modified by adding a 10 percent allowance for 
shattered berries in consumer containers for en route or at 
destination.

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

[[Page 3819]]

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 Table Grapes 
(European or Vinifera Type) are available either through the address 
cited above or by accessing the AMS, Fresh Products Branch Web site at: 
https://www.ams.usda.gov/standards/stanfrfv.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.

Background

    AMS received petitions from the California Grape and Tree Fruit 
League and Western Growers Association, requesting a revision to the 
United States Standards for Grades of Table Grapes (European or 
Vinifera Type). These standards were last revised in 1999. The 
petitioners represent more than 85 percent of the European or Vinifera 
type table grape production in the United States.
    The petitioners are requesting that AMS revise the standards to 
provide a 10 percent allowance for shattered berries in consumer 
containers for en route or at destination. Shattered means that the 
berry is detached from the bunch. The standards currently provide a 12 
percent total tolerance for bunches and berries failing to meet the 
requirements of grade for en route or at destination. Revising the 
standards to include a separate 10 percent allowance would mean that 
shattered berries would not be scored as a defect against the 12 
percent total tolerance until the amount of shattered berries exceeds 
the 10 percent allowance. For example: (1) A lot of berries which has 
22 percent shattered berries 12 percent would be reported as a defect, 
this lot would meet the requirements of the U.S. No. 1 Table grade 
provided no other defects were present; (2) a lot of berries which has 
23 percent shattered berries 13 percent would be reported as a defect 
which would cause the lot to fail meet the requirements of the U.S. No. 
Table 1 grade by 1 percent. The petitioners stated that they feel 
change, specific to consumer containers, is warranted as the majority 
of table grapes are now being sold in consumer containers which allows 
shattered berries to be fully utilized/sold. This does not hold true 
for shattered berries in bulk containers, as these berries remain loose 
in the container, therefore, limiting the ability to fully utilize/sell 
the shattered berries.
    Prior to undertaking detailed work to develop a proposed revision 
to the standards, AMS is soliciting comments on the petition submitted 
to revise the United States Standards for Grades of Table Grapes 
(European or Vinifera Type).
    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.

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

    Dated: January 18, 2006.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. E6-783 Filed 1-23-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P

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