United States Standards for Grades of Tomatoes on the Vine, 71616-71617 [E7-24458]

Agencies

• Agricultural Marketing Service
• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 242 (Tuesday, December 18, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71616-71617]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-24458]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket  AMS-FV-2007-0007; FV-06-309]


United States Standards for Grades of Tomatoes on the Vine

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing 
Service (AMS) is establishing voluntary United States Standards for 
Grades of Tomatoes on the Vine. The standards are intended to provide 
industry with a common language and uniform basis for trading; thus, 
promoting orderly and efficient marketing of tomatoes on the vine 
(TOV).

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 17, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vincent J. Fusaro, Standardization 
Section, Fresh Products Branch, (202) 720-2185. The United States 
Standards for Grades of Tomatoes on the Vine will be available on the 
effective date through the 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 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 establishing United States Standards for Grades of Tomatoes 
on the Vine using procedures that appear in Part 36, Title 7 of the 
Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR part 36).

Background

    On May 26, 2006, AMS published a notice in the Federal Register (71 
FR 30367), that solicited comments on the proposed voluntary United 
States Standards for Grades of Tomatoes on the Vine. The proposed 
standards contained sections pertaining to general information, grades, 
tolerances, application of tolerances, size classifications, 
definitions, and a table of metric conversions. The following grades 
and tolerances for each grade also appeared in the notice: U.S. No. 1 
and U.S. No. 2. In addition, ``Application of Tolerances'' section and 
``Size classification'' section were listed. The standards also defined 
``Damage,'' ``Serious damage,'' ``Tomatoes on the Vine,'' along with 
other specific basic requirements and defects. Additionally, AMS also 
sought any comments related to the proposed standards that may be 
necessary to better serve the industry.
    In response to the notice, AMS received six comments on the 
proposed standards. The comments are available by accessing the AMS, 
Fresh Products Branch Web site at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/
fpbdocketlist.htm.
    On February 16, 2007, AMS published a subsequent notice in the 
Federal Register (72 FR 7593-4), that solicited comments on the 
proposed voluntary United States Standards for Grades of Tomatoes on 
the Vine based on comments received from the primary notice. A single 
comment was received on behalf of a trade group representing growers 
and packers, expressing the need for additional time to comment. The 
group requested an extension to the comment period to allow review of 
the proposed voluntary standards and consider comments.
    AMS published a reopening and extension of the comment period in 
the Federal Register (71 FR 34426), on June 22, 2007. The comment 
period for the extension ended on August 21, 2007. AMS received no 
additional comments from the industry on the proposed standards.
    The adoption of the U.S. grade standards will provide the tomatoes 
on the vine industry with U.S. grade

[[Page 71617]]

standards similar to those extensively in use by the fresh produce 
industry to assist in orderly marketing of other commodities. 
Accordingly, AMS is adopting the United States Standards for Grades of 
Tomatoes on the Vine as proposed in the February 16, 2007, Federal 
Register notice.
    The official grade of a lot of tomatoes on the vine 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 Tomatoes on the Vine will 
become effective 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.

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

    Dated: December 13, 2007.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-24458 Filed 12-17-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P