Procedures by Which the Agricultural Marketing Service Develops, Revises, Suspends, or Terminates Voluntary Official Grade Standards: United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Okra, 31887-31888 [2011-11718]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 106 / Thursday, June 2, 2011 / Proposed Rules 20415. Phone (202) 606–1700 or e-mail at Mauro.Morales@opm.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OPM’s plan sets forth a process for obtaining input from the public on an annual basis concerning the regulations that OPM should review. The plan also identifies the regulations that OPM plans on examining this year. OPM is now seeking public comment on its plan. Any comments that are submitted will also be viewable by the public. OPM will review the comments and post the final plan to its public open government Web site. U.S. Office of Personnel Management. John Berry, Director. [FR Doc. 2011–13699 Filed 6–1–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6325–48–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service 7 CFR Part 36 [Document No. AMS–FV–07–0100] Procedures by Which the Agricultural Marketing Service Develops, Revises, Suspends, or Terminates Voluntary Official Grade Standards: United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Okra Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Request for comments. AGENCY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposes to revise the United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Okra. The standards for frozen okra would be changed from a ‘‘variable score point’’ system to an ‘‘individual attribute’’ grading system; the ‘‘dual grade nomenclature’’ would be replaced with single letter grade designation and editorial changes would be included. These changes would bring the standards for frozen okra in line with the present quality levels being marketed today and would provide guidance in the effective utilization of frozen okra. DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before August 1, 2011. ADDRESSES: Written comments may be mailed to Brian E. Griffin, Inspection and 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, srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:38 Jun 01, 2011 Jkt 223001 Washington, DC 20250; fax: (202) 690– 1527; or Internet: https:// www.regulations.gov. The proposed United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Okra are available through the address cited above. All comments should reference the document number, date, and page number of this issue of the Federal Register. All comments will be posted without change, including any personal information provided. All comments submitted in response to this notice will be included in the record and will be made available to the public on the Internet via https:// www.regulations.gov. Comments will be made available for public inspection at the above address during regular business hours or can be viewed at: https://www.regulations.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Brian E. Griffin, at the address above, or phone (202)720–5021; or fax (202) 690–1527. Copies of the proposed U.S. Standards for Grades of Frozen Okra are available on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 203(c) of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, 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. Those United States Standards for Grades of Fruits and Vegetables no longer appear in the Code of Federal Regulations but are maintained by USDA, AMS, Fruit and Vegetable Programs. AMS is proposing revisions in the U.S. Standards for Grades of Frozen Okra using the procedures that appear in part 36 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR part 36). Background: AMS received a petition from the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) requesting the revision of the standards for frozen okra. The petitioners represent almost all of the processors of frozen okra in the United States. The grade standards are presently based on the variable score points grading system. It is proposed that the standards be modified to convert them to a statistically-based individual attribute grading system, similar to the United States Standards for Grades of Canned Green and Wax Beans (58 FR 4295; January 14, 1993). The individual PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 31887 attribute grading system uses sample size and acceptable quality levels (AQLs), as well as tolerances and acceptance numbers (number of allowable defects), to determine the quality level of a lot. This change would bring the standards in line with current marketing practices and innovations in processing techniques. In addition, AMS proposes to replace the dual grade nomenclature with single letter designations. ‘‘U.S. Grade A’’ (or ‘‘U.S. Fancy’’) and ‘‘U.S. Grade B’’ (or ‘‘U.S. Extra Standard’’) would become ‘‘U.S. Grade A’’ and ‘‘U.S. Grade B’’, respectively. These revisions would also include minor editorial changes. These changes provide a uniform format consistent with recent revisions of other U.S. grade standards. This format has been designed to provide industry personnel and agricultural commodity graders with simpler and more comprehensive standards. Definitions of terms and easy-to-read tables would be incorporated to assure a better understanding and uniform application of the standards. Prior to undertaking research and other work associated with revising the standards, AMS sought public comments on the petition (see 64 FR 52266). More recently, a notice requesting additional comments on the proposed revision to the United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Okra was published in the December 12, 2007, Federal Register (72 FR 70565). At the request of AFFI, a notice reopening and extending the comment period was published in the May 16, 2008, Federal Register (73 FR 28424). A 60 day period was provided for interested persons to submit comments on the proposed standards. AMS received a comment from AFFI that requested a tolerance be established for ‘‘Cap Ends’’ for both ‘‘Whole’’ and ‘‘Cut’’ styles as follows: Portion of ‘‘stem’’ extending between 3⁄8 and 1⁄2 inch beyond the cap scar equals ‘‘poor or excessive trim’’; ‘‘Stem’’ extending greater than 1⁄2 inch beyond cap scar equals ‘‘EVM’’. In addition, the petitioner requested that in Table II, ‘‘Excessive Trim (included in Mechanical Damage)’’ be better defined. The petitioner noted that this criterion was removed from the prior ‘‘Small Pieces/Misshapen’’ category and moved to the proposed 10 percent ‘‘Mechanical Damage’’ category. For cut style, AFFI stated that less than 1⁄4 inch be the limit for small pieces, but AFFI suggested that tolerances should be based on percent by weight. In doing this, ‘‘Small Pieces’’ would be taken out of the ‘‘Mechanical Damage’’ category. E:\FR\FM\02JNP1.SGM 02JNP1 31888 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 106 / Thursday, June 2, 2011 / Proposed Rules srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS Lastly, AFFI suggested that with the criteria for ‘‘Cap Ends’’ above and the tolerances given for ‘‘Tough Fiber’’, the ‘‘Inedible Stems’’ category was no longer needed. Subsequent to their submission of comments, and upon further discussion with AFFI through several discussion drafts between September 2008 and February 2011, the following changes also were proposed. From the definition of ‘‘Appearance’’, the reference to ‘‘for regular process’’ would be deleted. This terminology does not apply to the concept of the term, ‘‘Appearance’’ and its elimination from the proposed standards would have no impact on the grade of the product. Also, in the definition of the term, Appearance, under Good Appearance, ‘‘reasonably free’’ would be changed to ‘‘practically free’’, and under ‘‘Reasonably Good Appearance,’’ ‘‘fairly free’’ would be changed to ‘‘reasonably free’’. Under the term, ‘‘Flavor and odor,’’ in the reference to ‘‘Normal flavor and odor,’’ ‘‘Normal’’ would be changed to ‘‘Reasonably Good’’. These changes would provide a uniform format consistent with recent revisions of other U.S. grade standards. The term, ‘‘Hard, woody okra material’’ would be added to the standards. These terms and allowances currently are in the USDA grading manual for frozen okra effective January 1996, and as such, the standards should be updated. This proposed revision of the frozen okra standard would revise the text of the standard to provide a common language for trade and better reflect the current marketing of frozen okra. The official grade of a lot of frozen okra covered by these standards is determined by the procedures set forth in the ‘‘Regulations Governing Inspection and Certification of Processed Products Thereof, and Certain Other Processed Food Products (§ 52.1 to 52.83).’’ AMS is publishing this notice with a sixty day comment period that will provide a sufficient amount of time for interested persons to comment on the proposed revision to the standards. Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621–1627. Dated: May 9, 2011. Ellen King, Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. 2011–11718 Filed 6–1–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–02–P VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:38 Jun 01, 2011 Jkt 223001 SUMMARY: California Marketing Field Office, Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA; Telephone: (559) 487– 5901; Fax: (559) 487–5906; or E-mail: Jerry.Simmons@ams.usda.gov or Kurt.Kimmel@ams.usda.gov. Small businesses may request information on complying with this regulation by contacting Laurel May, Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250–0237; Telephone: (202) 720– 2491, Fax: (202) 720–8938, or E-mail: Laurel.May@ams.usda.gov. Comments must be received by June 17, 2011. ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments concerning this proposal. Comments must be sent to the Docket Clerk, Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250–0237; Fax: (202) 720–8938; or Internet: https://www.regulations.gov. All comments should reference the document number and the date and page number of this issue of the Federal Register and will be made available for public inspection in the Office of the Docket Clerk during regular business hours, or can be viewed at: https:// www.regulations.gov. All comments submitted in response to this rule will be included in the record and will be made available to the public. Please be advised that the identity of the individuals or entities submitting the comments will be made public on the Internet at the address provided above. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jerry L. Simmons, Marketing Specialist, or Kurt J. Kimmel, Regional Manager, This proposed rule is issued under Marketing Order Nos. 916 and 917, both as amended (7 CFR parts 916 and 917), regulating the handling of nectarines and peaches grown in California, respectively, hereinafter referred to as the ‘‘orders.’’ The orders are effective under the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601–674), hereinafter referred to as the ‘‘Act.’’ USDA is issuing this rule in conformance with Executive Order 12866. This proposal to terminate the orders has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform. This rule is not intended to have retroactive effect. The Act provides that administrative proceedings must be exhausted before parties may file suit in court. Under section 608c(15)(A) of the Act, any handler subject to an order may file with USDA a petition stating that the order, any provision of the order, or any obligation imposed in connection with the order is not in accordance with law and request a modification of the order or to be exempted therefrom. A handler is afforded the opportunity for a hearing on the petition. After the hearing USDA would rule on the petition. The Act provides that the district court of the United States in any district in which the handler is an inhabitant, or has his or her principal place of business, has jurisdiction to review USDA’s ruling on the petition, provided an action is filed not later than 20 days after the date of the entry of the ruling. This rule proposes to terminate Marketing Order 916—the nectarine order—and the peach provisions of Marketing Order 917—the fresh pear and peach order—as well as the pertinent rules and regulations issued thereunder. USDA believes that termination of these programs would be DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service 7 CFR Parts 916 and 917 [Doc. No. AMS–FV–11–0018; FV11–916/917– 4 PR] Nectarines and Fresh Peaches Grown in California; Termination of Marketing Order 916 and the Peach Provisions of Marketing Order 917 Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Proposed rule. AGENCY: This rule invites comments on the proposed termination of the Federal marketing orders regulating the handling of nectarines and fresh peaches grown in California (orders) and the rules and regulations issued thereunder. This action is based upon a decision by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) following referenda conducted among industry growers. As provided under the orders, USDA considers order termination if fewer than two-thirds of growers participating in regularly scheduled continuance referenda, by number and production volume, support continuance. In 2011 referenda, growers failed to support continuance of the orders and their programs in sufficient numbers and USDA now proposes to terminate the orders. DATES: PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\02JNP1.SGM 02JNP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 106 (Thursday, June 2, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 31887-31888]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-11718]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 36

[Document No. AMS-FV-07-0100]


Procedures by Which the Agricultural Marketing Service Develops, 
Revises, Suspends, or Terminates Voluntary Official Grade Standards: 
United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Okra

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) proposes to revise the United States Standards for 
Grades of Frozen Okra. The standards for frozen okra would be changed 
from a ``variable score point'' system to an ``individual attribute'' 
grading system; the ``dual grade nomenclature'' would be replaced with 
single letter grade designation and editorial changes would be 
included. These changes would bring the standards for frozen okra in 
line with the present quality levels being marketed today and would 
provide guidance in the effective utilization of frozen okra.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before August 1, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be mailed to Brian E. Griffin, 
Inspection and 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; fax: (202) 690-1527; 
or Internet: https://www.regulations.gov. The proposed United States 
Standards for Grades of Frozen Okra are available through the address 
cited above. All comments should reference the document number, date, 
and page number of this issue of the Federal Register. All comments 
will be posted without change, including any personal information 
provided. All comments submitted in response to this notice will be 
included in the record and will be made available to the public on the 
Internet via https://www.regulations.gov. Comments will be made 
available for public inspection at the above address during regular 
business hours or can be viewed at: https://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Brian E. Griffin, at the 
address above, or phone (202)720-5021; or fax (202) 690-1527. Copies of 
the proposed U.S. Standards for Grades of Frozen Okra are available on 
the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 203(c) of the Agricultural Marketing 
Act of 1946, 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. Those United States 
Standards for Grades of Fruits and Vegetables no longer appear in the 
Code of Federal Regulations but are maintained by USDA, AMS, Fruit and 
Vegetable Programs. AMS is proposing revisions in the U.S. Standards 
for Grades of Frozen Okra using the procedures that appear in part 36 
of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR part 36).
    Background: AMS received a petition from the American Frozen Food 
Institute (AFFI) requesting the revision of the standards for frozen 
okra. The petitioners represent almost all of the processors of frozen 
okra in the United States. The grade standards are presently based on 
the variable score points grading system.
    It is proposed that the standards be modified to convert them to a 
statistically-based individual attribute grading system, similar to the 
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Green and Wax Beans (58 FR 
4295; January 14, 1993). The individual attribute grading system uses 
sample size and acceptable quality levels (AQLs), as well as tolerances 
and acceptance numbers (number of allowable defects), to determine the 
quality level of a lot. This change would bring the standards in line 
with current marketing practices and innovations in processing 
techniques.
    In addition, AMS proposes to replace the dual grade nomenclature 
with single letter designations. ``U.S. Grade A''
    (or ``U.S. Fancy'') and ``U.S. Grade B'' (or ``U.S. Extra 
Standard'') would become ``U.S. Grade A'' and ``U.S. Grade B'', 
respectively.
    These revisions would also include minor editorial changes. These 
changes provide a uniform format consistent with recent revisions of 
other U.S. grade standards. This format has been designed to provide 
industry personnel and agricultural commodity graders with simpler and 
more comprehensive standards. Definitions of terms and easy-to-read 
tables would be incorporated to assure a better understanding and 
uniform application of the standards.
    Prior to undertaking research and other work associated with 
revising the standards, AMS sought public comments on the petition (see 
64 FR 52266).
    More recently, a notice requesting additional comments on the 
proposed revision to the United States Standards for Grades of Frozen 
Okra was published in the December 12, 2007, Federal Register (72 FR 
70565). At the request of AFFI, a notice reopening and extending the 
comment period was published in the May 16, 2008, Federal Register (73 
FR 28424). A 60 day period was provided for interested persons to 
submit comments on the proposed standards. AMS received a comment from 
AFFI that requested a tolerance be established for ``Cap Ends'' for 
both ``Whole'' and ``Cut'' styles as follows: Portion of ``stem'' 
extending between \3/8\ and \1/2\ inch beyond the cap scar equals 
``poor or excessive trim''; ``Stem'' extending greater than \1/2\ inch 
beyond cap scar equals ``EVM''. In addition, the petitioner requested 
that in Table II, ``Excessive Trim (included in Mechanical Damage)'' be 
better defined.
    The petitioner noted that this criterion was removed from the prior 
``Small Pieces/Misshapen'' category and moved to the proposed 10 
percent ``Mechanical Damage'' category. For cut style, AFFI stated that 
less than \1/4\ inch be the limit for small pieces, but AFFI suggested 
that tolerances should be based on percent by weight. In doing this, 
``Small Pieces'' would be taken out of the ``Mechanical Damage'' 
category.

[[Page 31888]]

Lastly, AFFI suggested that with the criteria for ``Cap Ends'' above 
and the tolerances given for ``Tough Fiber'', the ``Inedible Stems'' 
category was no longer needed.
    Subsequent to their submission of comments, and upon further 
discussion with AFFI through several discussion drafts between 
September 2008 and February 2011, the following changes also were 
proposed. From the definition of ``Appearance'', the reference to ``for 
regular process'' would be deleted. This terminology does not apply to 
the concept of the term, ``Appearance'' and its elimination from the 
proposed standards would have no impact on the grade of the product.
    Also, in the definition of the term, Appearance, under Good 
Appearance, ``reasonably free'' would be changed to ``practically 
free'', and under ``Reasonably Good Appearance,'' ``fairly free'' would 
be changed to ``reasonably free''. Under the term, ``Flavor and odor,'' 
in the reference to ``Normal flavor and odor,'' ``Normal'' would be 
changed to ``Reasonably Good''.
    These changes would provide a uniform format consistent with recent 
revisions of other U.S. grade standards. The term, ``Hard, woody okra 
material'' would be added to the standards. These terms and allowances 
currently are in the USDA grading manual for frozen okra effective 
January 1996, and as such, the standards should be updated.
    This proposed revision of the frozen okra standard would revise the 
text of the standard to provide a common language for trade and better 
reflect the current marketing of frozen okra. The official grade of a 
lot of frozen okra covered by these standards is determined by the 
procedures set forth in the ``Regulations Governing Inspection and 
Certification of Processed Products Thereof, and Certain Other 
Processed Food Products (Sec.  52.1 to 52.83).''
    AMS is publishing this notice with a sixty day comment period that 
will provide a sufficient amount of time for interested persons to 
comment on the proposed revision to the standards.

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

    Dated: May 9, 2011.
Ellen King,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-11718 Filed 6-1-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P

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