United States Standards for Grades of Cultivated Ginseng, 53875-53879 [2011-22117]
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53875
Notices
Federal Register
Vol. 76, No. 168
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER
contains documents other than rules or
proposed rules that are applicable to the
public. Notices of hearings and investigations,
committee meetings, agency decisions and
rulings, delegations of authority, filing of
petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are
examples of documents appearing in this
section.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Doc. Number FV–09–0043]
United States Standards for Grades of
Cultivated Ginseng
Agricultural Marketing Service,
USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
The Agricultural Marketing
Service (AMS), of the Department of
Agriculture (USDA), is soliciting
comments on the proposed voluntary
United States Standards for Grades of
Cultivated Ginseng. AMS received a
request from the Ginseng Board of
Wisconsin (GBW), to amend the
standards to reflect current market
values. To ensure the integrity of the
standards, the proposed revisions would
be based on quality and percentage
defects. The new grades would replace
the current ones and promote the
orderly and efficient marketing of
ginseng in an evolving global economy.
Other changes would include adding
tolerances, reclassifying sizes, removing
table ‘‘values,’’ and amending
definitions. These revisions are needed
to determine and complement the new
grades.
DATES: Comments must be received by
September 29, 2011.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are
invited to submit written comments to
the Standardization Branch, Fresh
Products Division, Fruit and Vegetable
Programs, Agricultural Marketing
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SUMMARY:
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Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
National Training and Development
Center, Riverside Business Park, 100
Riverside Parkway, Suite 101,
Fredericksburg, VA 22406: Fax (540)
361–1199, or on the Web at: https://
www.regulation.gvo. Comments should
make reference to the dates and page
number of this issue of the Federal
Register and will be made available for
public inspection in the above office
during regular business hours.
Comments can also be viewed on the
https://www.regulations.gov Web site.
The current United States Standards for
Cultivated Ginseng, along with the
proposed changes, will be available
either through the address cited above
or by accessing the AMS, Fresh
Products Division Web site at: https://
www.ams.usda.gov/freshinspection.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.
Carl Newell, at the above address or call
(540) 361–1120.
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, and are available
on the Internet at https://
www.ams.usda.gov/freshinspection.
AMS is proposing to revise the
voluntary United States Standards for
Grades of Cultivated Ginseng using
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procedures that appear in part 36, Title
7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (7
CFR part 36).
Background
AMS received a request from the
GBW on June 8, 2009, to revise the
United States Standards for Grades of
Cultivated Ginseng. The GBW
represents shippers, processors and all
the cultivated ginseng growers in
Wisconsin. The initial inquiry requested
AMS to add ‘‘unless otherwise
specified’’ to the size table to
accommodate changing market values.
AMS believed that by allowing any
specified value would undermine the
integrity of the standards. To resolve the
issue, AMS met with members of the
GBW to revise the standards and
develop new grades based solely on
quality and percentage defects. The
proposal would remove the current
grades and replace them with seven new
grades: U.S. No. 1 through U.S. No. 7,
including tolerances for each grade.
Further, the following size
classifications would be created:
Premium, Select, and Standard. In
addition, the ‘‘values’’ would be
removed from the size table in § .1330.
Other revisions would include
redefining ‘‘Wrinkle’’ as ‘‘Texture,’’
removing ‘‘similar varietal
characteristics,’’ adding a definition for
‘‘Length,’’ and rewriting most of the
definitions. The grade determination
section would also be amended to
reflect new calculations without
‘‘values.’’ Further, an illustrated ginseng
root would be included at the end of the
standards.
The revisions are such that the section
numbers in the proposed standards do
not match the section numbers in the
current standards. In an effort to clearly
outline these proposed changes, the first
column of the following chart shows the
section as it currently reads. The second
column shows the proposed change and
the third column states why the change
is being proposed.
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53876
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 168 / Tuesday, August 30, 2011 / Notices
UNITED STATES STANDARDS OF CULTIVATED GINSENG
Proposed
Discussion
§ .1325 General.
The standards apply to cultivated ginseng of
similar characteristics, which is clean, well
cured, free from external and internal defects,
mold, rust and decay. The origin of the ginseng, color and/or wrinkle may be specified
with the grade.
§ .1325 General.
The standards apply to cultivated ginseng,
such as American ginseng (Panax
quinquefolius) and Asian ginseng (Panax
ginseng). Ginseng that grows wild or naturally, rather than being planted and cultivated domestically or commercially, is not
covered under these standards.
The information reported in the current General Section would best be given in the
Grade Section. The proposed General Section would provide an introduction to what
type of ginseng is covered under the standards.
§ .1326 U.S. Premium.
‘‘U.S. Premium’’ consists of ginseng which has
a graded value of 90 or more.
§ .1326 Grades.
All grades, U.S. No. 1 through U.S. No. 7,
consists of ginseng which are of one root
type, clean and well cured; which are free
from external and internal defects, mold,
and decay. The color and texture of the ginseng shall be specified with the grade;
whereas, the origin may be specified with
the grade.
The current grades are partially based on
market values. Changing market values
have caused the standards to become noncompetitive in the global market. New
grades would be based solely on quality
and percentage of defects.
§ .1327 U.S. Select.
‘‘U.S. Select’’ consists of ginseng which has a
graded value of 75 to 98.
§ .1328 U.S. Medium.
‘‘U.S. Medium’’ consists of ginseng which has a
graded value of 60 to 74.
§ .1329 U.S. Standard.
‘‘U.S. Standard’’ consists of ginseng which has
a graded value of 0 to 59.
§ .1327 Tolerances.
In order to allow for variations incident to
proper grading and handling in each of the
foregoing grades, the following tolerances,
by weight, reported to the nearest tenth of a
percent, are provided as specified:
(a) U.S. No. 1. 1 percent allowed for defects.
(b) U.S. No. 2. More than 1 but not more than
5 percent allowed for defects.
(c) U.S. No. 3. More than 5 but not more than
10 percent allowed for defects.
(d) U.S. No. 4. More than 10 but not more
than 25 percent allowed for defects.
(e) U.S. No. 5. More than 25 but not more
than 50 percent allowed for defects.
(f) U.S. No. 6. More than 50 but not more
than 75 percent allowed for defects.
(g) U.S. No. 7. More than 75 percent allowed
for defects.
The current grades have values assigned to
them, originally based on market values.
The values would be removed and replaced
with grades determined by percentage of
defects. The tolerance section would be
added to define the percentage of defects
allowed in each grade.
§ .1330 Size.
Size is a factor in determining the grade. Size
shall be in inches and fractions thereof, in
minimum diameter, maximum diameter, minimum length, maximum length in the following categories:
[table]
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Current Standard
§ .1328 Size Classifications.
Size shall be determined in inches and fractions thereof, in diameter and length for the
following Whole Root Size Categories listed
in Table I.
[Table I—Whole Root Size Categories]
The following Size Classifications shall be reported in connection with the grade:
(a) ‘‘Premium’’ is a lot consisting of more than
50 percent short ginseng of any category.
(b) ‘‘Select’’ is a lot consisting of more than
70 percent short and medium ginseng of
any category.
(c) ‘‘Standard’’ is a lot consisting of more than
80 percent short, medium, and long ginseng of any category.
In the proposed standards, the terms ‘‘Premium,’’ ‘‘Select,’’ and ‘‘Standard’’ would no
longer be grades but become size classifications reported in connection with the
grade. The term ‘‘Medium’’ would be
dropped since it may be confused with medium sized roots defined in Table I. The industry agreed that each grade would be
qualified by a size category. The size categories would provide a more accurate description of the lot.
The proposed ‘‘Table I—Whole Root Categories,’’ replacing the original table, would
remove the ‘‘Value’’ column, ‘‘Fiber/Prong’’
row, and the ‘‘Culls/Foreign Material’’ row.
The ‘‘Value’’ column would be removed
since the grades would no longer be based
on values. The ‘‘Fiber/Prong’’ and ‘‘Culls/
Foreign Material’’ rows would be removed
since they were only defined by values and
not by diameter or length. Also, ‘‘Long’’
would replace ‘‘Large’’ printed in error
under ‘‘Small’’ ‘‘Length (inches)’’ in Table I.
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 168 / Tuesday, August 30, 2011 / Notices
53877
UNITED STATES STANDARDS OF CULTIVATED GINSENG—Continued
Proposed
Discussion
§ .1331 External Color.
(a) ‘‘Light’’ means the color closest to ‘‘Light’’
on Visual Aid GIN. CC–1.
(b) ‘‘Light Medium’’ means the color closest to
‘‘Light Medium’’ on Visual Aid GIN. CC–1.
(c) ‘‘Medium’’ means the color closest to ‘‘Medium’’ on Visual Aid GIN. CC–1.
(d) ‘‘Dark Medium’’ means the color closest to
‘‘Dark Medium’’ on Visual Aid GIN. CC–1.
(e) ‘‘Dark’’ means the color closest to ‘‘Dark’’ on
Visual Aid GIN. CC–1.
§ .1329 External Color.
‘‘Color’’ shall be applied to the lot as a whole
using the following terms:
(a) ‘‘Light’’ means the color closest to ‘‘Light’’
on Visual Aid GIN. CC–1.
(b) ‘‘Light Medium’’ means the color closest to
‘‘Light Medium’’ on Visual Aid GIN. CC–1.
(c) ‘‘Medium’’ means the color closest to
‘‘Medium’’ on Visual Aid GIN. CC–1.
(d) ‘‘Dark Medium’’ means the color closest to
‘‘Dark Medium’’ on Visual Aid GIN. CC–1.
(e) ‘‘Dark’’ means the color closest to ‘‘Dark’’
on Visual Aid GIN. CC–1.
Except for the section number and first line,
this section would remain the same. The
first line would be added to clarify that color
is applied to the lot as a whole and not to
individual roots.
§ .1332 Wrinkle.
(a) ‘‘Smooth’’ means the surface texture closest
to ‘‘Smooth’’ on Visual Aid GIN. IDENT–1.
(b) ‘‘Slight Wrinkle’’ means surface texture closest to ‘‘Slight Wrinkle’’ on Visual Aid GIN.
IDENT–1.
(c) ‘‘Wrinkle’’ means surface texture closest to
‘‘Wrinkle’’ on Visual Aid GIN. IDENT–1.
§ .1330 Texture.
‘‘Texture’’ shall be applied to the lot as a
whole using the following terms:
(a) ‘‘Smooth’’ means the surface texture closest to ‘‘Smooth’’ on Visual Aid GIN. IDENT–
1.
(b) ‘‘Slight Wrinkle’’ means surface texture
closest to ‘‘Slight Wrinkle’’ on Visual Aid
GIN. IDENT–1.
(c) ‘‘Wrinkle’’ means surface texture closest to
‘‘Wrinkle’’ on Visual Aid GIN. IDENT–1.
Except for the section number, title, and first
line, this section would remain unchanged.
The first line would be added to clarify that
texture would be applied to the lot as a
whole and not to the individual root. In addition, the title would be changed to ‘‘Texture’’ to remove any confusion between the
section and the term ‘‘wrinkle’’ used in the
definitions.
§ .1533 Sample and Sample Size.
* * * * *
§ .1331 Sample and Sample Size.
* * * * *
Except for the section number, this section
would remain unchanged.
§ .1334 Grade Determination.
(a) Whole Root Score. Separate and/or break
prongs and fiber from whole roots, weigh and
record. Separate and weigh the culls and foreign material. Sort the balance of the sample
into whole root size categories (See
§ 51.1330) and weigh each category. Determine the score for each category by dividing
the category value by 450 (if grams) or 16 (if
ounces) and multiply the result by the weight
of the category. Add the scores for all the
categories to determine the Whole Root
Score.
(b) Deductions. Weigh the External and Internal
Defects and determine each percentage of
the sample. Divide the External Defects percentage by 2 (i.e., 6% would be recorded as
3) to determine the External Defects deduction. The Internal Defects percentage is equal
to the Internal Defects deduction. Add the
External and Internal Defects deductions to
determine the Total Root Deductions.
(c) Graded Value. Subtract the Total Root Deductions from 100 and multiply the results by
the Whole Root Score to determine the Graded Value. Locate the Graded Value in
§ 51.1326 to 51.1328 to assign the grade.
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Current Standard
§ .1332 Size Classification Determination.
Separate whole roots from culls and foreign
material, weigh and record. Clip or break off
prongs and rootlets from whole roots, weigh
and record. Sort whole roots into size categories (See § 51.1327) by first separating
whole roots into diameter categories (Small,
Medium, Large, Extra Large). Further separate diameter categories into length categories (Short, Medium, Long), weigh and
record. Divide by the total weight of the
sample minus the culls and foreign material
to calculate the percentage of each length
category. Add together the length category
percentages using the size classification
definitions (See § 51.1327 a, b, and c). Example: 19% Small Short, 23% Medium
Short, and 10% Large Short totals 52%,
making a Premium size lot.
§ .1332 Grade Determination.
Weigh and record the external and internal
defects and divide each by the total weight
of the sample minus the prongs and rootlets to calculate the external defect percentage and internal defect percentage. Divide
the external defect percentage by 2 (i.e.,
6% would be recorded as 3%) to determine
the External Defect Deduction. The internal
deduction percentage is equal to the Internal Defects Deduction. Add the External
and Internal Defects Deductions to calculate the Total Defect Percentage. The
Total Defect Percentage will determine the
grade of the lot (See § 51.1326).
The procedure for inspecting ginseng would
remain unchanged. However, the formula
for determining the grade would be different
since the grade would not be based on values. Size would be determined first, followed by inspecting the ginseng for defects.
Culls and foreign material would be excluded from the determination of size,
whereas prongs and rootlets would be included. Prongs and rootlets would be excluded from the determination of grade,
whereas culls and foreign material would be
included.
§ .1335 Similar varietal characteristics.
‘‘Similar varietal characteristics’’ means the ginseng is the same variety and color.
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This definition would be removed, since it
would not be a requirement of the grade.
Inspectors would not be required to distinguish the subtle differences between varieties. In addition, color would be applied to
the lot, not on individual roots.
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53878
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 168 / Tuesday, August 30, 2011 / Notices
UNITED STATES STANDARDS OF CULTIVATED GINSENG—Continued
Current Standard
Proposed
Discussion
§ .1336 Clean.
* * * * *
§ .1334 Clean.
* * * * *
Except for the section number, this definition
would remain unchanged.
§ .1337 Well cured.
* * * * *
§ .1335 Well cured.
* * * * *
Except for the section number, this definition
would remain unchanged.
§ .1338 Prong.
‘‘Prong’’ means a root or portion of a root growing off the main root.
§ .1336 Prong.
‘‘Prong’’ means a root or portion of a root
growing off the main root. A prong cannot
exceed more than one half the diameter of
the main root.
The definition would be further qualified, so as
not to confuse a prong with a whole root.
§ .1339 Whole root.
‘‘Whole root’’ means the main root or upper
portion of the main root, and may or may not
have prongs and/or fibers attached. Whole
roots must have a tapered top or crown.
§ .1337 Whole root.
‘‘Whole root’’ means the main root or upper
portion of the main root, including any portion growing off the main root that is too
large to be a prong. Whole roots must have
a tapered top or crown.
This definition would be slightly modified to
remove any confusion between a prong and
a whole root.
§ .1340 Fiber.
‘‘Fiber’’ means small roots less than 1⁄8 inch in
diameter.
§ .1338 Rootlet.
‘‘Rootlet’’ means small slender roots less than
1⁄8 inch in diameter.
The term ‘‘fiber’’ has caused confusion.
Therefore, ‘‘Rootlet’’ will be substituted for
the term fiber to prevent further
misidentification.
§ .1341 Diameter.
‘‘Diameter’’ means the greatest dimension at
right angles to a line from the root crown or
the point of attachment of the prong to the
tip. Diameter shall be the greatest dimension,
but not at the point of attachment of the
prong.
§ .1339 Diameter.
‘‘Diameter’’ means the greatest dimension at
right angles to a line from the top of the
whole root to the tip. Diameter shall not be
measured at the point of attachment of a
prong or the area where a prong was removed.
This definition would be slightly reworded for
clarification.
§ .1340 Length.
‘‘Length’’ means the greatest dimension of the
whole root measured in a straight line parallel to the longitudinal axis from the top of
the whole root to the tip, not including any
portion of the crown or rootlet, if present.
A definition for length is proposed. Length
would be measured in a straight line and
would not follow the curve of the root.
§ .1342 Defects.
‘‘Defects’’ means any mechanical, pathological
and/or physiological defect consisting of cuts,
external discoloration, internal green or red
discoloration, insect, mold, scab or other
means that affect the appearance or marketing quality.
§ .1341 Defects.
‘‘Defects’’ means any mechanical, pathological and/or physiological defect consisting of
cuts, external discoloration, internal green
or red discoloration, insect, mold, scab, or
other means that affect the appearance or
marketing quality of the whole root. In addition, when the cut area left by a clipped or
removed prong exceeds one half of the diameter of the root, it shall be a defect.
Rust would be removed from the definition
since it is the same as discoloration. Further, at industry’s request, a definition for
an area left by clipped or removed prongs
would be added.
§ .1343 Cull.
‘‘Cull’’ means any unusable portion.
§ .1342 Cull.
‘‘Cull’’ means more than 50 percent of the
whole root is unusable.
This definition would define ‘‘unusable portion’’ to provide a clearer guide as to what
is a cull.
§ .1344 Origin.
* * * * *
§ .1343 Origin.
* * * * *
Except for the section number, this definition
remains unchanged.
§ .1344
This section would be reserved if needed at a
later time.
[Reserved]
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Illustration Ginseng 1
The proposed revisions will benefit
the industry by allowing the marketing
of ginseng in the U.S. to be competitive
in a changing and demanding global
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An illustration of a ginseng root would be
added at the end of the standards, which
defines the parts of the root, what should
be clipped, and the correct determination
for length and diameter.
market. A 30-day period is provided for
interested persons to comment. This
period is deemed appropriate in order to
implement these changes, if adopted, as
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soon as possible to reflect current
marketing practices.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621–1627.
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 168 / Tuesday, August 30, 2011 / Notices
Dated: August 19, 2011.
David R. Shipman,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011–22117 Filed 8–29–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–02–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation
Request for Extension and Revision of
a Currently Approved Information
Collection
Federal Crop Insurance
Corporation, Risk Management Agency
(RMA), USDA.
ACTION: Notice and request for
comments.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. Chapter 35) this notice
announces the Risk Management
Agency’s intention to request an
extension and revision to a currently
approved information collection for
Notice of Funds Availability—
Community Outreach and Assistance
Partnership Program.
DATES: Comments on this notice will be
accepted until close of business,
October 31, 2011.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are
invited to submit comments by any of
the following methods:
• By Mail to: Lana Cusick, Risk
Management Education Division,
USDA/RMA, 1400 Independence
Avenue, SW., Room 6717–S, Stop 0808,
Washington, DC 20250–0808.
• E–Mail: Lana.Cusick@rma.usda.gov.
All comments will be available for
public inspection during regular
business hours at the same address. All
responses to this notice will be
summarized and included in the request
for OMB approval. All comments will
also become a matter of public record.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Contact Lana Cusick, Risk Management
Education Division, USDA/RMA, 1400
Independence Avenue, SW. Room
6717–S, Stop 0808, Washington, DC
20250–0808, telephone (202) 720–3325.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Notice of Funds Availability—
Community Outreach and Assistance
Partnership Program.
OMB Number: 0563–0066.
Type of Request: Extension and
revision of a currently approved
information collection.
Abstract: The Federal Crop Insurance
Corporation administers cooperative
agreements that will be used to provide
outreach and assistance to under-served
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SUMMARY:
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agricultural producers such as women,
limited resource, socially disadvantaged
and other traditionally under-served
farmers and ranchers (under-served
agricultural producers). This package
will be combined with another currently
approved package 0563–0067 entitled,
Risk Management and Crop Insurance
Education; Risk for Applications when
the package comes up for renewal in
July 2012. With this submission, RMA
seeks to obtain OMB’s approval for an
information collection project that will
assist RMA in operating and evaluating
these programs. The primary objective
of the information collection projects is
to enable RMA to better evaluate the
performance capacity and plans of
organizations that are applying for funds
for cooperative agreements for the
Community Outreach and Assistance
Partnership Program.
This information collection package
will be used for evaluating applications
and awarding partnership agreements;
applicants are required to submit
materials and information necessary to
evaluate and rate the merit of proposed
projects and evaluate the capacity and
qualification of the organization to
complete the project
Estimate of Burden: The public
reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 6
hours per response per application.
Respondents/Affected Entities:
Education institutions, community
based and cooperative organizations,
and non-profit organizations.
Estimated annual number of
respondents: 150.
Estimated annual number of
responses per respondent: 1.
Estimated annual number of
responses: 150.
Estimated total annual burden on
respondents: 900 hours.
Comments are invited on: (1) Whether
the proposed collection of information
is necessary for the proper performance
of the functions of the agency, including
whether the information will have
practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the
agency’s estimate of the burden of the
proposed collection of information; (3)
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be
collected; and (4) ways to minimize the
burden of the collection of information
on those who are to respond, through
use, as appropriate, of automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other
collection technologies, e.g., permitting
electronic submission of responses.
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53879
Signed in Washington, DC, on August 23,
2011.
Barbara Leach,
Associate Administrator, Federal Crop
Insurance Corporation.
[FR Doc. 2011–22136 Filed 8–29–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–08–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Resource Advisory Committee
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of meeting.
The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache
National Forest Resource Advisory
Committee will conduct a meeting in
Salt Lake City, Utah. The committee is
meeting as authorized under the Secure
Rural Schools and Community SelfDetermination Act (Pub.L 110–343) and
in compliance with the Federal
Advisory Committee Act. The purpose
is to finalize the review of project
submittals.
SUMMARY:
The meeting will be held on
September 22, 2011, from 3 to 5:30 p.m.
DATES:
The meeting will be held at
the Salt Lake County Government
Center, Room S1002, 2001 South State
Street, Salt Lake City, Utah. Written
comments should be sent to Loyal Clark,
Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest,
88 West 100 North, Provo, Utah 84601.
Comments may also be sent via e-mail
to lfclark@fs.fed.us, via facsimile to
801–342–5144.
All comments, including names and
addresses when provided, are placed in
the record and are available for
inspection and copying. The public may
inspect comments received at the UintaWasatch-Cache National Forest, 88 West
100 North, Provo, Utah 84601.
ADDRESSES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Loyal Clark, RAC Coordinator, USDA,
Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest,
88 West 100 North, Provo, Utah 84601;
801–342–5117; lfclark@fs.fed.us.
The
meeting is open to the public. The
following business will be conducted:
(1) Finalize project recommendations,
and (2) schedule site monitoring visits.
Persons who wish to bring related
matters to the attention of the
Committee may file written statements
with the Committee staff before or after
the meeting.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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30AUN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 168 (Tuesday, August 30, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53875-53879]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-22117]
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Notices
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
appearing in this section.
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 168 / Tuesday, August 30, 2011 /
Notices
[[Page 53875]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Doc. Number FV-09-0043]
United States Standards for Grades of Cultivated Ginseng
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), of the Department of
Agriculture (USDA), is soliciting comments on the proposed voluntary
United States Standards for Grades of Cultivated Ginseng. AMS received
a request from the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin (GBW), to amend the
standards to reflect current market values. To ensure the integrity of
the standards, the proposed revisions would be based on quality and
percentage defects. The new grades would replace the current ones and
promote the orderly and efficient marketing of ginseng in an evolving
global economy. Other changes would include adding tolerances,
reclassifying sizes, removing table ``values,'' and amending
definitions. These revisions are needed to determine and complement the
new grades.
DATES: Comments must be received by September 29, 2011.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to
the Standardization Branch, Fresh Products Division, Fruit and
Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, National Training and Development Center, Riverside
Business Park, 100 Riverside Parkway, Suite 101, Fredericksburg, VA
22406: Fax (540) 361-1199, or on the Web at: https://www.regulation.gvo.
Comments should make reference to the dates and page number of this
issue of the Federal Register and will be made available for public
inspection in the above office during regular business hours. Comments
can also be viewed on the https://www.regulations.gov Web site. The
current United States Standards for Cultivated Ginseng, along with the
proposed changes, will be available either through the address cited
above or by accessing the AMS, Fresh Products Division Web site at:
https://www.ams.usda.gov/freshinspection.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Carl Newell, at the above address
or call (540) 361-1120.
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, and are available on the Internet at https://www.ams.usda.gov/freshinspection.
AMS is proposing to revise the voluntary United States Standards
for Grades of Cultivated Ginseng using procedures that appear in part
36, Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR part 36).
Background
AMS received a request from the GBW on June 8, 2009, to revise the
United States Standards for Grades of Cultivated Ginseng. The GBW
represents shippers, processors and all the cultivated ginseng growers
in Wisconsin. The initial inquiry requested AMS to add ``unless
otherwise specified'' to the size table to accommodate changing market
values. AMS believed that by allowing any specified value would
undermine the integrity of the standards. To resolve the issue, AMS met
with members of the GBW to revise the standards and develop new grades
based solely on quality and percentage defects. The proposal would
remove the current grades and replace them with seven new grades: U.S.
No. 1 through U.S. No. 7, including tolerances for each grade. Further,
the following size classifications would be created: Premium, Select,
and Standard. In addition, the ``values'' would be removed from the
size table in Sec. .1330.
Other revisions would include redefining ``Wrinkle'' as
``Texture,'' removing ``similar varietal characteristics,'' adding a
definition for ``Length,'' and rewriting most of the definitions. The
grade determination section would also be amended to reflect new
calculations without ``values.'' Further, an illustrated ginseng root
would be included at the end of the standards.
The revisions are such that the section numbers in the proposed
standards do not match the section numbers in the current standards. In
an effort to clearly outline these proposed changes, the first column
of the following chart shows the section as it currently reads. The
second column shows the proposed change and the third column states why
the change is being proposed.
[[Page 53876]]
United States Standards of Cultivated Ginseng
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Current Standard Proposed Discussion
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Sec. .1325 General. Sec. .1325 General. The information reported in the
The standards apply to cultivated The standards apply to cultivated current General Section would best
ginseng of similar characteristics, ginseng, such as American ginseng be given in the Grade Section. The
which is clean, well cured, free (Panax quinquefolius) and Asian proposed General Section would
from external and internal defects, ginseng (Panax ginseng). Ginseng provide an introduction to what
mold, rust and decay. The origin of that grows wild or naturally, type of ginseng is covered under
the ginseng, color and/or wrinkle rather than being planted and the standards.
may be specified with the grade. cultivated domestically or
commercially, is not covered under
these standards.
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Sec. .1326 U.S. Premium. Sec. .1326 Grades. The current grades are partially
``U.S. Premium'' consists of ginseng All grades, U.S. No. 1 through U.S. based on market values. Changing
which has a graded value of 90 or No. 7, consists of ginseng which market values have caused the
more. are of one root type, clean and standards to become noncompetitive
well cured; which are free from in the global market. New grades
external and internal defects, would be based solely on quality
mold, and decay. The color and and percentage of defects.
texture of the ginseng shall be
specified with the grade; whereas,
the origin may be specified with
the grade.
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Sec. .1327 U.S. Select. Sec. .1327 Tolerances. The current grades have values
``U.S. Select'' consists of ginseng In order to allow for variations assigned to them, originally based
which has a graded value of 75 to incident to proper grading and on market values. The values would
98. handling in each of the foregoing be removed and replaced with grades
Sec. .1328 U.S. Medium. grades, the following tolerances, determined by percentage of
``U.S. Medium'' consists of ginseng by weight, reported to the nearest defects. The tolerance section
which has a graded value of 60 to tenth of a percent, are provided as would be added to define the
74. specified: percentage of defects allowed in
Sec. .1329 U.S. Standard. (a) U.S. No. 1. 1 percent allowed each grade.
``U.S. Standard'' consists of for defects.
ginseng which has a graded value of (b) U.S. No. 2. More than 1 but not
0 to 59. more than 5 percent allowed for
defects.
(c) U.S. No. 3. More than 5 but not
more than 10 percent allowed for
defects.
(d) U.S. No. 4. More than 10 but not
more than 25 percent allowed for
defects.
(e) U.S. No. 5. More than 25 but not
more than 50 percent allowed for
defects.
(f) U.S. No. 6. More than 50 but not
more than 75 percent allowed for
defects.
(g) U.S. No. 7. More than 75 percent
allowed for defects.
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Sec. .1330 Size. Sec. .1328 Size Classifications. In the proposed standards, the terms
Size is a factor in determining the Size shall be determined in inches ``Premium,'' ``Select,'' and
grade. Size shall be in inches and and fractions thereof, in diameter ``Standard'' would no longer be
fractions thereof, in minimum and length for the following Whole grades but become size
diameter, maximum diameter, minimum Root Size Categories listed in classifications reported in
length, maximum length in the Table I. connection with the grade. The term
following categories: [Table I--Whole Root Size ``Medium'' would be dropped since
[table] Categories] it may be confused with medium
The following Size Classifications sized roots defined in Table I. The
shall be reported in connection industry agreed that each grade
with the grade: would be qualified by a size
(a) ``Premium'' is a lot consisting category. The size categories would
of more than 50 percent short provide a more accurate description
ginseng of any category. of the lot.
(b) ``Select'' is a lot consisting The proposed ``Table I--Whole Root
of more than 70 percent short and Categories,'' replacing the
medium ginseng of any category. original table, would remove the
(c) ``Standard'' is a lot consisting ``Value'' column, ``Fiber/Prong''
of more than 80 percent short, row, and the ``Culls/Foreign
medium, and long ginseng of any Material'' row. The ``Value''
category. column would be removed since the
grades would no longer be based on
values. The ``Fiber/Prong'' and
``Culls/Foreign Material'' rows
would be removed since they were
only defined by values and not by
diameter or length. Also, ``Long''
would replace ``Large'' printed in
error under ``Small'' ``Length
(inches)'' in Table I.
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[[Page 53877]]
Sec. .1331 External Color. Sec. .1329 External Color. Except for the section number and
(a) ``Light'' means the color ``Color'' shall be applied to the first line, this section would
closest to ``Light'' on Visual Aid lot as a whole using the following remain the same. The first line
GIN. CC-1. terms: would be added to clarify that
(b) ``Light Medium'' means the color (a) ``Light'' means the color color is applied to the lot as a
closest to ``Light Medium'' on closest to ``Light'' on Visual Aid whole and not to individual roots.
Visual Aid GIN. CC-1. GIN. CC-1.
(c) ``Medium'' means the color (b) ``Light Medium'' means the color
closest to ``Medium'' on Visual Aid closest to ``Light Medium'' on
GIN. CC-1. Visual Aid GIN. CC-1.
(d) ``Dark Medium'' means the color (c) ``Medium'' means the color
closest to ``Dark Medium'' on closest to ``Medium'' on Visual Aid
Visual Aid GIN. CC-1. GIN. CC-1.
(e) ``Dark'' means the color closest (d) ``Dark Medium'' means the color
to ``Dark'' on Visual Aid GIN. CC- closest to ``Dark Medium'' on
1. Visual Aid GIN. CC-1.
(e) ``Dark'' means the color closest
to ``Dark'' on Visual Aid GIN. CC-
1.
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Sec. .1332 Wrinkle. Sec. .1330 Texture. Except for the section number,
(a) ``Smooth'' means the surface ``Texture'' shall be applied to the title, and first line, this section
texture closest to ``Smooth'' on lot as a whole using the following would remain unchanged. The first
Visual Aid GIN. IDENT-1. terms: line would be added to clarify that
(b) ``Slight Wrinkle'' means surface (a) ``Smooth'' means the surface texture would be applied to the lot
texture closest to ``Slight texture closest to ``Smooth'' on as a whole and not to the
Wrinkle'' on Visual Aid GIN. IDENT- Visual Aid GIN. IDENT-1. individual root. In addition, the
1. (b) ``Slight Wrinkle'' means surface title would be changed to
(c) ``Wrinkle'' means surface texture closest to ``Slight ``Texture'' to remove any confusion
texture closest to ``Wrinkle'' on Wrinkle'' on Visual Aid GIN. IDENT- between the section and the term
Visual Aid GIN. IDENT-1. 1. ``wrinkle'' used in the
(c) ``Wrinkle'' means surface definitions.
texture closest to ``Wrinkle'' on
Visual Aid GIN. IDENT-1.
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Sec. .1533 Sample and Sample Size. Sec. .1331 Sample and Sample Size. Except for the section number, this
* * * * * * * * * * section would remain unchanged.
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Sec. .1334 Grade Determination. Sec. .1332 Size Classification The procedure for inspecting ginseng
(a) Whole Root Score. Separate and/ Determination. Separate whole roots would remain unchanged. However,
or break prongs and fiber from from culls and foreign material, the formula for determining the
whole roots, weigh and record. weigh and record. Clip or break off grade would be different since the
Separate and weigh the culls and prongs and rootlets from whole grade would not be based on values.
foreign material. Sort the balance roots, weigh and record. Sort whole Size would be determined first,
of the sample into whole root size roots into size categories (See followed by inspecting the ginseng
categories (See Sec. 51.1330) and Sec. 51.1327) by first separating for defects. Culls and foreign
weigh each category. Determine the whole roots into diameter material would be excluded from the
score for each category by dividing categories (Small, Medium, Large, determination of size, whereas
the category value by 450 (if Extra Large). Further separate prongs and rootlets would be
grams) or 16 (if ounces) and diameter categories into length included. Prongs and rootlets would
multiply the result by the weight categories (Short, Medium, Long), be excluded from the determination
of the category. Add the scores for weigh and record. Divide by the of grade, whereas culls and foreign
all the categories to determine the total weight of the sample minus material would be included.
Whole Root Score. the culls and foreign material to
(b) Deductions. Weigh the External calculate the percentage of each
and Internal Defects and determine length category. Add together the
each percentage of the sample. length category percentages using
Divide the External Defects the size classification definitions
percentage by 2 (i.e., 6% would be (See Sec. 51.1327 a, b, and c).
recorded as 3) to determine the Example: 19% Small Short, 23%
External Defects deduction. The Medium Short, and 10% Large Short
Internal Defects percentage is totals 52%, making a Premium size
equal to the Internal Defects lot.
deduction. Add the External and Sec. .1332 Grade Determination.
Internal Defects deductions to Weigh and record the external and
determine the Total Root internal defects and divide each by
Deductions. the total weight of the sample
(c) Graded Value. Subtract the Total minus the prongs and rootlets to
Root Deductions from 100 and calculate the external defect
multiply the results by the Whole percentage and internal defect
Root Score to determine the Graded percentage. Divide the external
Value. Locate the Graded Value in defect percentage by 2 (i.e., 6%
Sec. 51.1326 to 51.1328 to assign would be recorded as 3%) to
the grade. determine the External Defect
Deduction. The internal deduction
percentage is equal to the Internal
Defects Deduction. Add the External
and Internal Defects Deductions to
calculate the Total Defect
Percentage. The Total Defect
Percentage will determine the grade
of the lot (See Sec. 51.1326).
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Sec. .1335 Similar varietal .................................... This definition would be removed,
characteristics. since it would not be a requirement
``Similar varietal characteristics'' of the grade. Inspectors would not
means the ginseng is the same be required to distinguish the
variety and color. subtle differences between
varieties. In addition, color would
be applied to the lot, not on
individual roots.
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[[Page 53878]]
Sec. .1336 Clean. Sec. .1334 Clean. Except for the section number, this
* * * * * * * * * * definition would remain unchanged.
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Sec. .1337 Well cured. Sec. .1335 Well cured. Except for the section number, this
* * * * * * * * * * definition would remain unchanged.
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Sec. .1338 Prong. Sec. .1336 Prong. The definition would be further
``Prong'' means a root or portion of ``Prong'' means a root or portion of qualified, so as not to confuse a
a root growing off the main root. a root growing off the main root. A prong with a whole root.
prong cannot exceed more than one
half the diameter of the main root.
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Sec. .1339 Whole root. Sec. .1337 Whole root. This definition would be slightly
``Whole root'' means the main root ``Whole root'' means the main root modified to remove any confusion
or upper portion of the main root, or upper portion of the main root, between a prong and a whole root.
and may or may not have prongs and/ including any portion growing off
or fibers attached. Whole roots the main root that is too large to
must have a tapered top or crown. be a prong. Whole roots must have a
tapered top or crown.
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Sec. .1340 Fiber. Sec. .1338 Rootlet. The term ``fiber'' has caused
``Fiber'' means small roots less ``Rootlet'' means small slender confusion. Therefore, ``Rootlet''
than \1/8\ inch in diameter. roots less than \1/8\ inch in will be substituted for the term
diameter. fiber to prevent further
misidentification.
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Sec. .1341 Diameter. Sec. .1339 Diameter. This definition would be slightly
``Diameter'' means the greatest ``Diameter'' means the greatest reworded for clarification.
dimension at right angles to a line dimension at right angles to a line
from the root crown or the point of from the top of the whole root to
attachment of the prong to the tip. the tip. Diameter shall not be
Diameter shall be the greatest measured at the point of attachment
dimension, but not at the point of of a prong or the area where a
attachment of the prong. prong was removed.
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Sec. .1340 Length. A definition for length is proposed.
``Length'' means the greatest Length would be measured in a
dimension of the whole root straight line and would not follow
measured in a straight line the curve of the root.
parallel to the longitudinal axis
from the top of the whole root to
the tip, not including any portion
of the crown or rootlet, if
present.
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Sec. .1342 Defects. Sec. .1341 Defects. Rust would be removed from the
``Defects'' means any mechanical, ``Defects'' means any mechanical, definition since it is the same as
pathological and/or physiological pathological and/or physiological discoloration. Further, at
defect consisting of cuts, external defect consisting of cuts, external industry's request, a definition
discoloration, internal green or discoloration, internal green or for an area left by clipped or
red discoloration, insect, mold, red discoloration, insect, mold, removed prongs would be added.
scab or other means that affect the scab, or other means that affect
appearance or marketing quality. the appearance or marketing quality
of the whole root. In addition,
when the cut area left by a clipped
or removed prong exceeds one half
of the diameter of the root, it
shall be a defect.
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Sec. .1343 Cull. Sec. .1342 Cull. This definition would define
``Cull'' means any unusable portion. ``Cull'' means more than 50 percent ``unusable portion'' to provide a
of the whole root is unusable. clearer guide as to what is a cull.
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Sec. .1344 Origin. Sec. .1343 Origin. Except for the section number, this
* * * * * * * * * * definition remains unchanged.
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Sec. .1344 [Reserved] This section would be reserved if
needed at a later time.
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Illustration Ginseng 1 An illustration of a ginseng root
would be added at the end of the
standards, which defines the parts
of the root, what should be
clipped, and the correct
determination for length and
diameter.
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The proposed revisions will benefit the industry by allowing the
marketing of ginseng in the U.S. to be competitive in a changing and
demanding global market. A 30-day period is provided for interested
persons to comment. This period is deemed appropriate in order to
implement these changes, if adopted, as soon as possible to reflect
current marketing practices.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627.
[[Page 53879]]
Dated: August 19, 2011.
David R. Shipman,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-22117 Filed 8-29-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
