United States Standards for Grades of Greenhouse Tomatoes, 7591-7592 [E7-2725]
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7591
Notices
Federal Register
Vol. 72, No. 32
Friday, February 16, 2007
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Submission for OMB Review;
Comment Request
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
February 13, 2007.
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collection requirement(s) to OMB for
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Public Law 104–13. Comments
regarding (a) whether the collection of
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ways to enhance the quality, utility and
clarity of the information to be
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techniques or other forms of information
technology should be addressed to: Desk
Officer for Agriculture, Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB),
OIRA_Submission@OMB.EOP.GOV or
fax (202) 395–5806 and to Departmental
Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail
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displays a currently valid OMB control
number and the agency informs
potential persons who are to respond to
the collection of information that such
persons are not required to respond to
VerDate Aug<31>2005
19:03 Feb 15, 2007
Jkt 211001
the collection of information unless it
displays a currently valid OMB control
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Title: Registration Requirements.
OMB Control Number: 0583–0128.
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been delegated the authority to exercise
the functions of the Secretary as
provided in the Federal Meat Inspection
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the Poultry Products Inspection Act
(PPIA) (21 U.S.C. 451 et seq.). These
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Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection
Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. E7–2783 Filed 2–15–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–DM–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket # AMS–FV–2007–0006; FV–04–301]
United States Standards for Grades of
Greenhouse Tomatoes
Agricultural Marketing Service,
USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing
Service (AMS) of the Department of
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Agriculture (USDA) is revising the
United States Standards for Grades of
Greenhouse Tomatoes. Specifically,
AMS is revising the standards to allow
that percentages of defects and size
classifications be determined by count
rather than weight. This will result in a
revision of the following sections of the
standards: Tolerances, Size
Classification, Standard Pack, Damage,
and Serious Damage. Additionally, AMS
is deleting the ‘‘Unclassified’’ section,
adding moldy stems as a damage defect,
and adding a scoring guide for damage
and serious damage for skin checks.
These revisions will bring the standards
for greenhouse tomatoes in line with
current marketing practices, thereby
improving their usefulness in serving
the industry.
DATES: Effective Date: March 19, 2007.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Vincent J. Fusaro, 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. The revised United
States Standards for Grades of
Greenhouse Tomatoes 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.
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.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
E:\FR\FM\16FEN1.SGM
16FEN1
7592
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 32 / Friday, February 16, 2007 / Notices
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
AMS is revising the voluntary United
States Standards for Grades of
Greenhouse Tomatoes 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
1966.
Background
Prior to undertaking research and
other work associated with revision of
the grade standards, AMS published a
notice in the Federal Register (68 FR
68859) on December 10, 2003, soliciting
comments on the possible revision of
the United States Standards for Grades
of Greenhouse Tomatoes. AMS
published a subsequent notice in the
Federal Register (69 FR 12299) on
March 16, 2004, extending the period
for comments. Further, after the
comment period, AMS prepared a
discussion draft of the proposed
greenhouse tomato standard, and
distributed copies for input to all
commenters, industry associations, and
other interested persons. As a result, we
added a scoring guide for damage and
serious damage by skin checks and
included moldy stems as a damage
defect. Based on comments received
from the notices and discussion draft,
AMS published a notice in the Federal
Register (71 FR 30860) on May 31, 2006,
proposing to revise the standards.
In response to this notice, AMS
received six comments on the proposed
revisions. Two from domestic trade
organizations, one from a foreign trade
organization, one from an international
marketing organization, and two from
foreign government agencies. The
comments are available by accessing the
AMS, Fresh Products Branch Web site
at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/
fpbdocketlist.htm.
Two commenters supported the size
classification, the standard pack section,
the creation of a separate standard for
tomatoes on the vine, the skin check
definition, and the inclusion of moldy
stems as a defect. The commenters
requested that ‘‘russetting’’ be included
in the skin check definition.
‘‘Russetting’’ is a trade term used to
describe a type of scarring or growth
crack that tends to be concentric to the
stem scar. The term ‘‘russetting’’ is used
to describe the defect that is classified
in the standards as skin checks,
therefore tomatoes that are affected by
‘‘russetting’’ are covered by the
definition for skin checks. The
commenters also expressed concern
regarding the scoring of moldy stems.
They stated that moldy stems should be
scored as a defect only when there is a
large growth of mold that leaves behind
a soft area after it is wiped off of the
VerDate Aug<31>2005
19:03 Feb 15, 2007
Jkt 211001
fruit. They also were of the view that the
mere presence of a dot of mold should
not cause the fruit to be considered
moldy. The classification of moldy
stems as a damage defect in the
standards is such that a small amount of
mold would not be scored, however
mold that materially affects the
appearance of the tomato will be scored.
Therefore, no change to the standards
will be made as a result of these
comments.
One commenter supported the
proposed change to allow that
percentages of defects and size
classifications be determined by count
rather than weight and the inclusion of
moldy stems as a damage defect. The
commenter also recommended that the
language in the U.S. Standards for
Grades of Greenhouse Tomatoes be
revised to read exactly as the U.S.
Standards for Grades of Fresh Tomatoes.
Revising the greenhouse tomatoes
standards to reflect the fresh tomato
standards would significantly change
the tolerances and scoring guides for
greenhouse tomatoes. Greenhouse
tomatoes have unique characteristics
and are grown in a controlled
environment that eliminates external
environmental issues, such as wind and
rain, that could affect the appearance or
keeping quality. Therefore, due to these
differences, the standards will remain
separate and distinct.
One commenter suggested that
percentages for defects and size should
be determined by count or weight. The
commenter noted that they sell tomatoes
by weight. However, the commenter
noted that in some cases a percentage by
count may be more useful; therefore, the
commenter recommended that the
standards provide a choice: count or
weight. Under current marketing
practices, greenhouse tomatoes are
packaged and marketed having a
uniform size. AMS believes that the
consistency in sizing is best achieved
when percentages are determined by
count. Also, determining the
percentages for defects and size by
count, will be consistent with the fresh
tomato standards.
One commenter expressed concern
over the standard pack definition using
diameter specifications, stating that
measuring tomatoes by size and not
count will force small, independent
tomato growers to heavily invest in cost
prohibitive sorting machinery. However,
size is not part of the grade for
greenhouse tomatoes; therefore
specifying a size is voluntary. The size
section provides sufficient flexibility in
order to provide marketers the option to
specify size. In turn, marketers that
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
prefer not to specify a size are not
required to do so.
One commenter noted that cartons of
imported greenhouse tomatoes currently
list weight/sizes in metric on the
outside of the carton. They stated that
this causes numerous administrative
problems in trying to convert to English
measurements, and requested that these
cartons contain both metric and English
measurements. However, such a
provision would be beyond the scope of
the standards.
One commenter requested
clarification on how the wording would
be in the revised standard for moldy
stems and skin checks. The revised
standards states that tomatoes shall be
free from damage by moldy stems and
free from damage by skin checks.
Damage by moldy stems is defined
under the general definition of damage
to mean, ‘‘any specific defect which
materially detracts from the appearance,
or the edible or marketing quality of the
tomato.’’ Damage by skin checks is
defined as, ‘‘when the appearance of the
tomato is affected to a greater extent
than that of a tomato 2–1⁄2 inches in
diameter having skin checks which has
an aggregate area equivalent to that of a
circle three-eighths inch in diameter.’’
One commenter suggested that both
the European Standard and the U.S.
Standard be considered for
harmonization during the revision
process. The U.S. standards are used by
the U.S. industry, any such
harmonization of the standards would
require involvement and input from the
U.S. greenhouse industry. Therefore,
this suggestion is not addressed in this
action.
Based on the comments received and
information gathered, AMS believes the
revision to the standards will improve
their usefulness in serving the industry.
The official grade of a lot of
greenhouse tomatoes 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).
The United States Standards for
Grades of Greenhouse Tomatoes will
become effective 30 days after
publication of this notice in the Federal
Register.
(Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621–1627.)
Dated: February 12, 2007.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing
Service.
[FR Doc. E7–2725 Filed 2–15–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–02–P
E:\FR\FM\16FEN1.SGM
16FEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 32 (Friday, February 16, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7591-7592]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-2725]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket AMS-FV-2007-0006; FV-04-301]
United States Standards for Grades of Greenhouse Tomatoes
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of
Agriculture (USDA) is revising the United States Standards for Grades
of Greenhouse Tomatoes. Specifically, AMS is revising the standards to
allow that percentages of defects and size classifications be
determined by count rather than weight. This will result in a revision
of the following sections of the standards: Tolerances, Size
Classification, Standard Pack, Damage, and Serious Damage.
Additionally, AMS is deleting the ``Unclassified'' section, adding
moldy stems as a damage defect, and adding a scoring guide for damage
and serious damage for skin checks. These revisions will bring the
standards for greenhouse tomatoes in line with current marketing
practices, thereby improving their usefulness in serving the industry.
DATES: Effective Date: March 19, 2007.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vincent J. Fusaro, 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.
The revised United States Standards for Grades of Greenhouse Tomatoes
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.
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.
[[Page 7592]]
AMS is revising the voluntary United States Standards for Grades of
Greenhouse Tomatoes 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 1966.
Background
Prior to undertaking research and other work associated with
revision of the grade standards, AMS published a notice in the Federal
Register (68 FR 68859) on December 10, 2003, soliciting comments on the
possible revision of the United States Standards for Grades of
Greenhouse Tomatoes. AMS published a subsequent notice in the Federal
Register (69 FR 12299) on March 16, 2004, extending the period for
comments. Further, after the comment period, AMS prepared a discussion
draft of the proposed greenhouse tomato standard, and distributed
copies for input to all commenters, industry associations, and other
interested persons. As a result, we added a scoring guide for damage
and serious damage by skin checks and included moldy stems as a damage
defect. Based on comments received from the notices and discussion
draft, AMS published a notice in the Federal Register (71 FR 30860) on
May 31, 2006, proposing to revise the standards.
In response to this notice, AMS received six comments on the
proposed revisions. Two from domestic trade organizations, one from a
foreign trade organization, one from an international marketing
organization, and two from foreign government agencies. The comments
are available by accessing the AMS, Fresh Products Branch Web site at:
https://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/fpbdocketlist.htm.
Two commenters supported the size classification, the standard pack
section, the creation of a separate standard for tomatoes on the vine,
the skin check definition, and the inclusion of moldy stems as a
defect. The commenters requested that ``russetting'' be included in the
skin check definition. ``Russetting'' is a trade term used to describe
a type of scarring or growth crack that tends to be concentric to the
stem scar. The term ``russetting'' is used to describe the defect that
is classified in the standards as skin checks, therefore tomatoes that
are affected by ``russetting'' are covered by the definition for skin
checks. The commenters also expressed concern regarding the scoring of
moldy stems. They stated that moldy stems should be scored as a defect
only when there is a large growth of mold that leaves behind a soft
area after it is wiped off of the fruit. They also were of the view
that the mere presence of a dot of mold should not cause the fruit to
be considered moldy. The classification of moldy stems as a damage
defect in the standards is such that a small amount of mold would not
be scored, however mold that materially affects the appearance of the
tomato will be scored. Therefore, no change to the standards will be
made as a result of these comments.
One commenter supported the proposed change to allow that
percentages of defects and size classifications be determined by count
rather than weight and the inclusion of moldy stems as a damage defect.
The commenter also recommended that the language in the U.S. Standards
for Grades of Greenhouse Tomatoes be revised to read exactly as the
U.S. Standards for Grades of Fresh Tomatoes. Revising the greenhouse
tomatoes standards to reflect the fresh tomato standards would
significantly change the tolerances and scoring guides for greenhouse
tomatoes. Greenhouse tomatoes have unique characteristics and are grown
in a controlled environment that eliminates external environmental
issues, such as wind and rain, that could affect the appearance or
keeping quality. Therefore, due to these differences, the standards
will remain separate and distinct.
One commenter suggested that percentages for defects and size
should be determined by count or weight. The commenter noted that they
sell tomatoes by weight. However, the commenter noted that in some
cases a percentage by count may be more useful; therefore, the
commenter recommended that the standards provide a choice: count or
weight. Under current marketing practices, greenhouse tomatoes are
packaged and marketed having a uniform size. AMS believes that the
consistency in sizing is best achieved when percentages are determined
by count. Also, determining the percentages for defects and size by
count, will be consistent with the fresh tomato standards.
One commenter expressed concern over the standard pack definition
using diameter specifications, stating that measuring tomatoes by size
and not count will force small, independent tomato growers to heavily
invest in cost prohibitive sorting machinery. However, size is not part
of the grade for greenhouse tomatoes; therefore specifying a size is
voluntary. The size section provides sufficient flexibility in order to
provide marketers the option to specify size. In turn, marketers that
prefer not to specify a size are not required to do so.
One commenter noted that cartons of imported greenhouse tomatoes
currently list weight/sizes in metric on the outside of the carton.
They stated that this causes numerous administrative problems in trying
to convert to English measurements, and requested that these cartons
contain both metric and English measurements. However, such a provision
would be beyond the scope of the standards.
One commenter requested clarification on how the wording would be
in the revised standard for moldy stems and skin checks. The revised
standards states that tomatoes shall be free from damage by moldy stems
and free from damage by skin checks. Damage by moldy stems is defined
under the general definition of damage to mean, ``any specific defect
which materially detracts from the appearance, or the edible or
marketing quality of the tomato.'' Damage by skin checks is defined as,
``when the appearance of the tomato is affected to a greater extent
than that of a tomato 2-\1/2\ inches in diameter having skin checks
which has an aggregate area equivalent to that of a circle three-
eighths inch in diameter.''
One commenter suggested that both the European Standard and the
U.S. Standard be considered for harmonization during the revision
process. The U.S. standards are used by the U.S. industry, any such
harmonization of the standards would require involvement and input from
the U.S. greenhouse industry. Therefore, this suggestion is not
addressed in this action.
Based on the comments received and information gathered, AMS
believes the revision to the standards will improve their usefulness in
serving the industry.
The official grade of a lot of greenhouse tomatoes 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).
The United States Standards for Grades of Greenhouse Tomatoes will
become effective 30 days after publication of this notice in the
Federal Register.
(Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627.)
Dated: February 12, 2007.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. E7-2725 Filed 2-15-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
