United States Standards for Whole Dry Peas, Split Peas, and Lentils, 6112-6113 [E8-1820]

Download as PDF 6112 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 22 / Friday, February 1, 2008 / Notices notice, we are reopening the comment period to provide interested parties with additional time to comment. DATES: We will consider comments that we receive by April 1, 2008. ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit your comments on the notice. You may submit comments by any of the following methods: • E-mail: Send comments via electronic mail to comments.gipsa@usda.gov. • Mail: Send hardcopy written comments to Tess Butler, GIPSA, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 1633–S, Washington, DC 20250–3604. • Fax: Send comments by facsimile transmission to: (202) 690–2173. • Hand Delivery or Courier: Deliver comments to: Tess Butler, GIPSA, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 1643–S, Washington, DC 20250–3604. • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. • Instructions: All comments should make reference to the date and page number of this issue of the Federal Register. • Read Comments: All comments will be available for public inspection in the above office during regular business hours (7 CFR 1.27 (b)). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Beverly A. Whalen at USDA, GIPSA, FGIS, Market and Program Analysis Staff, Suite 180, STOP 1404, 6501 Beacon Drive, Kansas City, Missouri, 64133; Telephone (816) 823–4648; Fax Number (816) 823–4644; e-mail Beverly.A.Whalen@usda.gov. GIPSA published a notice in the Federal Register on April 17, 2007 (72 FR 19169), inviting comments from all interested persons on the proposed revisions to the U.S. Standards for Beans. The proposed revisions would provide applicants for service with an optional grade designation for bean certification and remove the requirements that the percentage of high moisture, and, for Mixed beans, the percentage of each class in the mixture, be shown on the grade line. For ease of reference, we have included in this notice a discussion of the revisions to the U.S. Standards for Beans that are under consideration. mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Optional Grade Designation and Certification Procedures Currently, inspectors certify beans offered for inspection as a specific quality (U.S. grade), such as U.S. No. 2 Pinto Beans. Certifying a specific grade VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:22 Jan 31, 2008 Jkt 214001 is commonly referred to as ‘‘Option 1’’ grade designation. This works well most of the time; however, there are exceptions. At times, sellers find when preparing to load beans for shipment that the supply of a particular grade of bean may be insufficient to meet the quality and quantity requirements specified in the sales contract. When this happens, the seller may find it necessary to ship beans of a better quality. However, current inspection procedures do not allow the flexibility to describe or certify superior quality beans as being of a lower quality. If the lot presented for inspection is not uniform in quality for the declared grade, the inspector certifies each portion separately according to quality. That is, if a consignment consists of both U.S. No. 1 and 2 Pinto Beans, current procedure requires that the quantity representing each of the different qualities receive separate certification. Such certification may not meet the terms of sale for the contract. An alternative approach is termed ‘‘Option 2’’ grade designation. When a contract specifies an Option 2 grade designation, the applicant may specifically request Option 2 certification. Under Option 2 certification, there would be no limitation placed on the amount of better quality beans in the lot. When a lot meets or is of better quality than the declared grade, inspectors would include the term ‘‘or better’’ immediately following the numerical or sample grade designation. We would like to offer the Option 2 grade designation and certification approach for beans. Under such an approach, the applicant for inspection can obtain the optional certification procedure by requesting it on the application for inspection. The applicant would file the request for the optional certification prior to the beginning of inspection so the inspector knows how to certify the lot. Beans that are a better quality than that specified by the contract would be certified as a specific grade ‘‘or better’’ (for example, U.S. No. 2, or better, Pinto Beans). We believe that Option 2 grade designation and certification will provide sellers with the flexibility to ship beans of better quality, and provide buyers with the desirable option of receiving better quality. High Moisture Beans The special grade designation ‘‘High moisture’’ is applicable to all classes of beans containing over 18.0 percent moisture and is required to be shown on the grade line of the certificate. We will continue to show the special grade PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 designation ‘‘High moisture’’ on the grade line, when applicable, but propose to list the moisture percentage in the ‘‘Results’’ section of the certificate. This approach is intended to enhance the readability of the certificate. Mixed Dry Beans We also propose to eliminate the requirement that certain grade related information be shown on the grade line of the certificate for the class of Mixed beans. Currently, the U.S. Standards for Beans require a breakdown of the different classes, in order of predominance, be shown on the grade line of the certificate, in addition to the regular grade designation information, when the beans are classed as Mixed beans. Instead of showing this information on the grade line, we propose to enter such information in the ‘‘Results’’ section of the certificate. This approach will not change the grade of the product and will enhance the readability of the certificate. Comments The comment period of 30 days from the date of publication (72 FR 19169) closed on May 17, 2007. Due to continued high level of interest in the April 17, 2007 notice, GIPSA is reopening the comment period to provide interested parties additional time to comment. As a result, the comment period is reopened for a 60 day period. We welcome both comments from interested persons who did not comment during the initial 30 day period, as well as those interested persons who have already commented. Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621–1627. David R. Shipman, Acting Administrator, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration. [FR Doc. E8–1819 Filed 1–31–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–KD–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration United States Standards for Whole Dry Peas, Split Peas, and Lentils Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, USDA. ACTION: Notice of reopening of comment period. AGENCY: SUMMARY: We published a notice in the Federal Register on April 17, 2007 (72 FR 19169), inviting comments regarding the revision of the U.S. Standards for Whole Dry Peas, Split Peas, and Lentils. E:\FR\FM\01FEN1.SGM 01FEN1 mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 22 / Friday, February 1, 2008 / Notices The proposed revisions would provide applicants for service with an optional grade designation for pea and lentil certification and remove the requirement that for Mixed Dry Peas, the percentage of each class in the mixture be shown on the grade line. The notice provided an opportunity for interested parties to forward written comments to the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) until May 17, 2007. Due to the continued high level of interest in this notice, we are reopening the comment period to provide interested parties with additional time in which to comment. DATES: We will consider comments that we receive by April 1, 2008. ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit your comments on the notice. You may submit comments by any of the following methods: • E-mail: Send comments via electronic mail to comments.gipsa@usda.gov. • Mail: Send hardcopy written comments to Tess Butler, GIPSA, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 1633–S, Washington, DC 20250–3604. • Fax: Send comments by facsimile transmission to: (202) 690–2173. • Hand Delivery or Courier: Deliver comments to: Tess Butler, GIPSA, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 1643–S, Washington, DC 20250–3604 • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulation.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. • Instructions: All comments should make reference to the date and page number of this issue of the Federal Register. • Read Comments: All comments will be available for public inspection in the above office during regular business hours (7 CFR 1.27 (b)). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Beverly A. Whalen at USDA, GIPSA, FGIS, Market and Program Analysis Staff, Suite 180, STOP 1404, 6501 Beacon Drive, Kansas City, Missouri, 64133; Telephone (816) 823–4648; Fax Number (816) 823–4644; e-mail Beverly.A.Whalen@usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: GIPSA published a notice in the Federal Register on April 17, 2007 (72 FR 19169), inviting comments from all interested persons on the proposed revisions to the U.S. Standards for Whole Dry Peas, Split Peas, and Lentils. The proposed revisions would provide applicants for service with an optional grade designation for pea and lentil certification and remove the requirement for Mixed Dry Peas, the VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:22 Jan 31, 2008 Jkt 214001 percentage of each class in the mixture be shown on the grade line. For ease of reference, we have included in this notice the discussion of the revisions to the U.S. Standards for Whole Dry Peas, Split Peas, and Lentils that are under consideration. Optional Grade Designation and Certification Procedures Currently, inspectors certify peas and lentils offered for inspection as a specific quality (U.S. grade), such as U.S. No. 2 Smooth Green Dry Peas. Certifying a specific grade is commonly referred to as ‘‘Option 1’’ grade designation. This works well most of the time, however, there are exceptions. At times, sellers find when preparing to load peas or lentils for shipment that the supply of a particular grade of pea or lentil may be insufficient to meet the quality and quantity requirements specified in the sales contract. When this happens, the seller may find it necessary to ship peas or lentils of a better quality. However, current inspection procedures do not allow the flexibility to describe or certify superior quality peas or lentils as being of a lower quality. If the lot presented for inspection is not uniform in quality for the declared grade, the inspector certifies each portion separately according to quality. That is, if a consignment consists of both U.S. No. 1 and 2 Smooth Green Dry Peas, current procedure requires that the quantity representing each of the different qualities receive separate certification. Such certification may not meet the terms of sale for the contract. An alternative approach is termed ‘‘Option 2’’ grade designation. When a contract specifies an Option 2 grade designation, the applicant may specifically request Option 2 certification. Under Option 2 certification, there would be no limitation placed on the amount of better quality peas and lentils in the lot. When a lot meets or is of better quality than the declared grade, inspectors would include the term ‘‘or better’’ immediately following the numerical or sample grade designation. We would like to offer the Option 2 grade designation and certification approach for peas and lentils. Under such an approach, the applicant for inspection can obtain the optional certification procedure by requesting it on the application for inspection. The applicant would file the request for the optional certification prior to the beginning of inspection so the inspector knows how to certify the lot. Peas or lentils that are a better quality than that specified by the contract would be PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 6113 certified as a specific grade ‘‘or better;’’ (for example, U.S. No. 2, or better, Smooth Dry Peas). We believe that Option 2 grade designation and certification will provide sellers with the flexibility to ship peas and lentils of better quality, and provide buyers with the desirable option of receiving better quality. Mixed Whole Dry Peas We also propose to eliminate the requirement that certain grade related information be shown on the grade line of the certificate for the class of Mixed Whole Dry Peas. Currently, the U.S. standards for Whole Dry Peas require a breakdown of the different classes, in order of predominance, be shown on the grade line of the certificate, in addition to the regular grade designation information, when the peas are classed as Mixed peas. Instead of showing this information on the grade line, we propose to enter such information in the ‘‘Results’’ section of the certificate. This approach will not change the grade of the product and will enhance the readability of the certificate. Comments The comment period of 30 days from the date of publication (72 FR 19169) closed on May 17, 2007. Due to continued high level of interest in the April 17, 2007, notice, GIPSA is reopening the comment period to provide interested parties additional time to comment. As a result, the comment period is reopened for a 60 day period. We welcome both comments from interested persons who did not comment during the initial 30 day period, as well as those interested persons who have already commented. Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621–1627. David R. Shipman, Acting Administrator, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration. [FR Doc. E8–1820 Filed 1–31–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–KD–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Utilities Service Information Collection Activity; Comment Request Rural Utilities Service, USDA. Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended), the Rural Utilities Service’s (RUS) an agency delivering the U.S. Department E:\FR\FM\01FEN1.SGM 01FEN1

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[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 22 (Friday, February 1, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6112-6113]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-1820]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration


United States Standards for Whole Dry Peas, Split Peas, and 
Lentils

AGENCY: Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of reopening of comment period.

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

SUMMARY: We published a notice in the Federal Register on April 17, 
2007 (72 FR 19169), inviting comments regarding the revision of the 
U.S. Standards for Whole Dry Peas, Split Peas, and Lentils.

[[Page 6113]]

The proposed revisions would provide applicants for service with an 
optional grade designation for pea and lentil certification and remove 
the requirement that for Mixed Dry Peas, the percentage of each class 
in the mixture be shown on the grade line. The notice provided an 
opportunity for interested parties to forward written comments to the 
Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) until 
May 17, 2007. Due to the continued high level of interest in this 
notice, we are reopening the comment period to provide interested 
parties with additional time in which to comment.

DATES: We will consider comments that we receive by April 1, 2008.

ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit your comments on the notice. You may 
submit comments by any of the following methods:
     E-mail: Send comments via electronic mail to 
comments.gipsa@usda.gov.
     Mail: Send hardcopy written comments to Tess Butler, 
GIPSA, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 1633-S, Washington, DC 
20250-3604.
     Fax: Send comments by facsimile transmission to: (202) 
690-2173.
     Hand Delivery or Courier: Deliver comments to: Tess 
Butler, GIPSA, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 1643-S, 
Washington, DC 20250-3604
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://
www.regulation.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments.
     Instructions: All comments should make reference to the 
date and page number of this issue of the Federal Register.
     Read Comments: All comments will be available for public 
inspection in the above office during regular business hours (7 CFR 
1.27 (b)).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Beverly A. Whalen at USDA, GIPSA, 
FGIS, Market and Program Analysis Staff, Suite 180, STOP 1404, 6501 
Beacon Drive, Kansas City, Missouri, 64133; Telephone (816) 823-4648; 
Fax Number (816) 823-4644; e-mail Beverly.A.Whalen@usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: GIPSA published a notice in the Federal 
Register on April 17, 2007 (72 FR 19169), inviting comments from all 
interested persons on the proposed revisions to the U.S. Standards for 
Whole Dry Peas, Split Peas, and Lentils. The proposed revisions would 
provide applicants for service with an optional grade designation for 
pea and lentil certification and remove the requirement for Mixed Dry 
Peas, the percentage of each class in the mixture be shown on the grade 
line. For ease of reference, we have included in this notice the 
discussion of the revisions to the U.S. Standards for Whole Dry Peas, 
Split Peas, and Lentils that are under consideration.

Optional Grade Designation and Certification Procedures

    Currently, inspectors certify peas and lentils offered for 
inspection as a specific quality (U.S. grade), such as U.S. No. 2 
Smooth Green Dry Peas. Certifying a specific grade is commonly referred 
to as ``Option 1'' grade designation. This works well most of the time, 
however, there are exceptions. At times, sellers find when preparing to 
load peas or lentils for shipment that the supply of a particular grade 
of pea or lentil may be insufficient to meet the quality and quantity 
requirements specified in the sales contract. When this happens, the 
seller may find it necessary to ship peas or lentils of a better 
quality. However, current inspection procedures do not allow the 
flexibility to describe or certify superior quality peas or lentils as 
being of a lower quality. If the lot presented for inspection is not 
uniform in quality for the declared grade, the inspector certifies each 
portion separately according to quality. That is, if a consignment 
consists of both U.S. No. 1 and 2 Smooth Green Dry Peas, current 
procedure requires that the quantity representing each of the different 
qualities receive separate certification. Such certification may not 
meet the terms of sale for the contract.
    An alternative approach is termed ``Option 2'' grade designation. 
When a contract specifies an Option 2 grade designation, the applicant 
may specifically request Option 2 certification. Under Option 2 
certification, there would be no limitation placed on the amount of 
better quality peas and lentils in the lot. When a lot meets or is of 
better quality than the declared grade, inspectors would include the 
term ``or better'' immediately following the numerical or sample grade 
designation.
    We would like to offer the Option 2 grade designation and 
certification approach for peas and lentils. Under such an approach, 
the applicant for inspection can obtain the optional certification 
procedure by requesting it on the application for inspection. The 
applicant would file the request for the optional certification prior 
to the beginning of inspection so the inspector knows how to certify 
the lot. Peas or lentils that are a better quality than that specified 
by the contract would be certified as a specific grade ``or better;'' 
(for example, U.S. No. 2, or better, Smooth Dry Peas). We believe that 
Option 2 grade designation and certification will provide sellers with 
the flexibility to ship peas and lentils of better quality, and provide 
buyers with the desirable option of receiving better quality.

Mixed Whole Dry Peas

    We also propose to eliminate the requirement that certain grade 
related information be shown on the grade line of the certificate for 
the class of Mixed Whole Dry Peas. Currently, the U.S. standards for 
Whole Dry Peas require a breakdown of the different classes, in order 
of predominance, be shown on the grade line of the certificate, in 
addition to the regular grade designation information, when the peas 
are classed as Mixed peas. Instead of showing this information on the 
grade line, we propose to enter such information in the ``Results'' 
section of the certificate. This approach will not change the grade of 
the product and will enhance the readability of the certificate.

Comments

    The comment period of 30 days from the date of publication (72 FR 
19169) closed on May 17, 2007. Due to continued high level of interest 
in the April 17, 2007, notice, GIPSA is reopening the comment period to 
provide interested parties additional time to comment. As a result, the 
comment period is reopened for a 60 day period. We welcome both 
comments from interested persons who did not comment during the initial 
30 day period, as well as those interested persons who have already 
commented.

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

David R. Shipman,
Acting Administrator, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards 
Administration.
[FR Doc. E8-1820 Filed 1-31-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-KD-P

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