United States Standards for Grades of Processed Raisins, 10002-10003 [E6-2770]

Download as PDF 10002 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 39 / Tuesday, February 28, 2006 / Notices wwhite on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES 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.’’ The Agricultural Marketing Service (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 United States Standards for Grades of Bunched Italian Sprouting Broccoli using the procedures that appear in part 36, Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR part 36). These standards were last revised in 1943. Background On April 21, 2005, AMS published a notice in the Federal Register (70 FR 20730) soliciting comments for the possible revision of the United States Standards for Grades of Bunched Italian Sprouting Broccoli. In response to this notice, AMS received three comments on the proposed revision. One from an agricultural trade association, one from a representative of an exporter of broccoli from Mexico, and one from a state agriculture representative. The comments are available by accessing the AMS, Fresh Products Branch Web site at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/ fpbdocketlist.htm. The agricultural trade association supported including broccoli crowns and had an interest in ‘‘revisiting the diameter as well as the length under U.S. Fancy and No. 1’’ (for bunched broccoli). AMS has included crowns and florets in the proposed standard. However, the commenter provided no specific suggestions for diameters and lengths for the U.S. Fancy and U.S. No. 1 grades of broccoli. Further, AMS believes that the current diameters and lengths for U.S. Fancy and U.S. No. 1 reflect current marketing practices. Therefore, AMS has not proposed a change to the existing requirements in these grades. The representative for the exporter of broccoli from Mexico noted the various styles of broccoli they market. AMS has taken into consideration the lengths and diameters provided for bunched and has included similar lengths and diameters VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:06 Feb 27, 2006 Jkt 208001 into the standards for crowns and florets. The state agricultural representative commented that the U.S. Fancy grade should be eliminated. The continued use of the U.S. Fancy grade for broccoli and other commodities, reflects commodity marketing practices. Therefore, AMS does not believe such a change is warranted. The commenter also stated there should be a separate ‘‘U.S. No. 1 Bunched,’’ ‘‘U.S. No. 1 Crowns,’’ and ‘‘U.S. No. 1 Florets’’ grade and inclusion of a similar U.S. No. 2 grade. AMS believes that separate grades would be redundant and are not necessary and will instead have the existing U.S. grades and other sections revised so the standards specifically cover the broccoli styles of bunched, crowns, and florets. The commenter also proposed for crowns a three inch minimum diameter with no maximum size along with a stem length of maximum two inches. The commenter stated the size for florets as three inches maximum diameter and stem length of one inch. AMS disagrees with the commenter’s proposed sizes since they are not consistent with those sizes marketed today. It was further suggested the diameter and stem length should have the option of meeting ‘‘unless otherwise specified.’’ However, AMS believes that the commenter’s suggestion to add an ‘‘unless otherwise specified’’ option for length of the U.S. Fancy and U.S. No. 1 grades for the styles of ‘‘Bunched,’’ ‘‘Crowns,’’ and ‘‘Florets’’ has merit and this change is proposed. The state agricultural representative also recommended eliminating the reference to ‘‘shoot’’ and adding language for the defect under the ‘‘Damage’’ definition for overmaturity and discoloration of bud clusters. AMS disagrees and will keep the reference to ‘‘shoot’’ because it is used in the reporting of size for bunched broccoli. AMS also believes that the current definition for ‘‘Damage’’ is sufficient for determining the extent of overmaturity and discoloration of bud clusters. AMS is proposing to revise the title of the standards to United States Standards for Grades of Italian Sprouting Broccoli. AMS is also proposing to revise the size specification section to allow percentages to be determined ‘‘by weight’’ as well as ‘‘by count’’ when fairly uniform, in order to increase the efficiency of inspections. AMS is proposing to add a definition for fairly uniform since it is referenced in the standard but not defined. Additionally, AMS is proposing to add definitions for the terms florets and crowns and revising the definition for diameter to: PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 ‘‘Diameter’’ means the measurement across the bud cluster. With the inclusion of crowns and florets in the standards, AMS is also proposing to add same type to the requirements for the grades and define same type as: Lots shall consist of broccoli with similar type characteristics, i.e., bunched can not be mixed with florets. AMS will eliminate the unclassified category. This section is not a grade and only serves to show than no grade has been applied to the lot. This section will be removed from all fresh fruit and vegetable standards. It is no longer considered necessary. The official grades of broccoli 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 (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: February 23, 2006. Lloyd C. Day, Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. E6–2769 Filed 2–27–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–02–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service [Docket No: FV–06–331] United States Standards for Grades of Processed Raisins Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), prior to undertaking research and other work associated with revising official grade standards, is soliciting comments on the petition to change the United States Standards for Grades of Processed Raisins. AMS received a petition from the Raisin Administrative Committee (RAC) requesting that USDA revise the current grade standards to add to and also modify the wording for ‘‘TYPE I— Seedless Raisins. The petitioner believes that revising the standards will provide for common language presently used by the industry. DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before May 1, 2006. ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments E:\FR\FM\28FEN1.SGM 28FEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 39 / Tuesday, February 28, 2006 / Notices concerning this notice. Comments must be sent to Karen L. Kaufman, Standardization Section, Processed Products Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 0709, South Building; STOP 0247, Washington, DC 20250; telephone (202) 720–4693; fax (202) 690–1527, e-mail karen.kaufman@usda.gov. The United States Standards for Grades of Processed Raisins is available either through the address cited above or by accessing the AMS Web site on the Internet at https:// www.ams.usda.gov/fv/ppb.html. Any comments received regarding the notice will be posted at that site. Comments also will be available for public inspection in the above office during regular business hours. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen L. Kaufman, Telephone (202) 720–4693. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: wwhite on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES Background AMS received a petition from the Raisin Administrative Committee (RAC), requesting the revision of the United States Standards for Grades of Processed Raisins. These standards are issued under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621—1627) The petitioner is requesting that USDA revise the grade standards for section 52.1843 Summary of types (varieties) of processed raisins for TypeI Seedless Raisins. The revision would add the processed raisin type, ‘‘Vinedried (without the application of drying chemicals or materials)’’ to the current summary as well as modify the type for ‘‘Dipped, Vine-dried, or similarly processed raisins’’ to ‘‘Dipped, Vinedried, treated with drying chemicals or materials or similarly processed raisins.’’ Prior to undertaking detailed work to develop a proposal, AMS is soliciting comments on the petition to revise the U.S. Standards for Grades of Processed Raisins. This notice provides for a 60-day comment period for interested parties to comment on the petition to develop a proposed revision of the standards. Should AMS conclude that there is a need for changes to the standards, detailed work could be undertaken as soon as possible and the eventual proposed revised standard would 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. VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:06 Feb 27, 2006 Jkt 208001 Dated: February 23, 2006. Lloyd C. Day, Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. E6–2770 Filed 2–27–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–02–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Farm Service Agency Request for Approval of a New Information Collection; 2005 Section 32 Hurricane Disaster Programs Farm Service Agency, USDA. Notice and Request for Comments. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intent of the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to request a new information collection to be used in support of the 2005 Section 32 Hurricane Disaster Programs. These programs consist of the Hurricane Indemnity Program (HIP), the Feed Indemnity Program (FIP), the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), and the Tree Indemnity Program (TIP). DATES: Comments on this notice must be receive on or before May 1, 2006 to be assured consideration. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven J. Peterson, USDA, Farm Service Agency, Production, Emergencies and Compliance Division, Disaster Assistance Branch, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., STOP 0517, Washington, DC 20250–0517; Telephone (202) 720– 5172; Electronic mail: Steve.Peterson@wdc.usda.gov SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: 2005 Section 32 Hurricane Disaster Assistance Programs. OMB Control Number: 0560-NEW. Type of Request: Request Approval of a New Information Collection. Abstract: This information collection will be used to make eligibility determinations on respondent’s requests for payments to supplement indemnities or payments received under Federal crop insurance or the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP), in addition to requests for payments to compensate for losses of livestock, livestock feed, trees, bushes, and vines, all of which resulted from one or more of five named hurricanes that occurred in 2005 in counties designated as primary under a Presidential disaster declaration or Secretarial designation. Travel time has been included in the Estimated Annual Burden on Respondents. PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 10003 Estimate of Annual Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 90 minutes per response. Respondents: Individuals or households, businesses or other for profit and farms. Estimated Number of Respondents: 34,008. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 51,012. Comments are invited on the following: (a) Whether the 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 burden, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (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. These comments should be sent to the Desk Officer of Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503, and to Steven J. Peterson, Branch Chief, USDA, Farm Service Agency, Production, Emergencies and Compliance Division, Disaster Assistance Branch, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., STOP 0517, Washington, DC 20250–0517. Comments will be summarized and included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information collection. All comments will also become a matter of public record. Signed in Washington, DC on February 23, 2006. Teresa C. Lasseter, Administrator, Farm Service Agency. [FR Doc. E6–2813 Filed 2–27–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–05–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Food and Nutrition Service Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Negative QC Review Schedule; Status of Sample Selection and Completion Food and Nutrition Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\28FEN1.SGM 28FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 39 (Tuesday, February 28, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10002-10003]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-2770]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No: FV-06-331]


United States Standards for Grades of Processed Raisins

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking.

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

SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), prior to undertaking 
research and other work associated with revising official grade 
standards, is soliciting comments on the petition to change the United 
States Standards for Grades of Processed Raisins. AMS received a 
petition from the Raisin Administrative Committee (RAC) requesting that 
USDA revise the current grade standards to add to and also modify the 
wording for ``TYPE I--Seedless Raisins. The petitioner believes that 
revising the standards will provide for common language presently used 
by the industry.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before May 1, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments

[[Page 10003]]

concerning this notice. Comments must be sent to Karen L. Kaufman, 
Standardization Section, Processed Products Branch, Fruit and Vegetable 
Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 0709, South Building; 
STOP 0247, Washington, DC 20250; telephone (202) 720-4693; fax (202) 
690-1527, e-mail karen.kaufman@usda.gov. The United States Standards 
for Grades of Processed Raisins is available either through the address 
cited above or by accessing the AMS Web site on the Internet at https://
www.ams.usda.gov/fv/ppb.html. Any comments received regarding the 
notice will be posted at that site. Comments also will be available for 
public inspection in the above office during regular business hours.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen L. Kaufman, Telephone (202) 720-
4693.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    AMS received a petition from the Raisin Administrative Committee 
(RAC), requesting the revision of the United States Standards for 
Grades of Processed Raisins. These standards are issued under the 
Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621--1627)
    The petitioner is requesting that USDA revise the grade standards 
for section 52.1843 Summary of types (varieties) of processed raisins 
for Type-I Seedless Raisins. The revision would add the processed 
raisin type, ``Vine-dried (without the application of drying chemicals 
or materials)'' to the current summary as well as modify the type for 
``Dipped, Vine-dried, or similarly processed raisins'' to ``Dipped, 
Vine-dried, treated with drying chemicals or materials or similarly 
processed raisins.''
    Prior to undertaking detailed work to develop a proposal, AMS is 
soliciting comments on the petition to revise the U.S. Standards for 
Grades of Processed Raisins.
    This notice provides for a 60-day comment period for interested 
parties to comment on the petition to develop a proposed revision of 
the standards. Should AMS conclude that there is a need for changes to 
the standards, detailed work could be undertaken as soon as possible 
and the eventual proposed revised standard would 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: February 23, 2006.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-2770 Filed 2-27-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
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