Revision of U.S. Standards for Grades of Watermelons, 13874-13875 [2021-05044]

Download as PDF 13874 Notices Federal Register Vol. 86, No. 46 Thursday, March 11, 2021 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. No. AMS–SC–20–0096, SC–20–327] Revision of U.S. Standards for Grades of Watermelons Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposes to revise the U.S. Standards for Grades of Watermelons. The proposed changes would provide a common language for trade of watermelons. DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before May 10, 2021. ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to the USDA, Specialty Crops Inspection Division, 100 Riverside Parkway, Suite 101, Fredericksburg, VA 22406; fax: (540) 361–1199; or at www.regulations.gov. Comments should reference the date and page numbers of this issue of the Federal Register. Comments will be posted without change, including any personal information provided. All comments received within the comment period will become part of the public record maintained by the Agency and will be made available to the public via www.regulations.gov. SUMMARY: khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David G. Horner, at the address above, by phone (540) 361–1128; fax (540) 361– 1199; or email Dave.Horner@usda.gov. Copies of the proposed U.S. Standards for Watermelons are available at https:// www.regulations.gov. Copies of the current U.S. Standards for Grades of Watermelons are available on the AMS website at www.ams.usda.gov/gradesstandards/fruits. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:53 Mar 10, 2021 Jkt 253001 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 U.S. Standards for Grades of Fruits and Vegetables that no longer appear in the Code of Federal Regulations are maintained by AMS at: https:// www.ams.usda.gov/grades-standards. AMS is proposing revisions to these U.S. Standards for Grades using the procedures that appear in part 36 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR part 36). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On October 22, 2019, the National Watermelon Association (NWA), a trade association representing growers, retailers, and shippers, from 30 U.S. states, Canada, and Central America, petitioned the USDA to revise the watermelon standards and update the official USDA visual aids library. AMS worked closely with the NWA throughout the development of the proposed revisions, soliciting their comments and suggestions about the standards through discussion drafts and presentations. Through this collaboration, AMS also developed and issued four new watermelon visual aids. On November 20, 2020, the NWA approved the proposed revisions which are as follows: • § 51.1973 Tolerances: For defects at shipping point, en route, or at destination for the U.S. No. 1 and U.S. No. 2 grades, the standards currently provide separate tolerances for Anthracnose and decay. Anthracnose lesions on watermelon result in loss of marketability. Due to the severity of this defect, industry requested the tolerance section be revised to reduce the amount of Anthracnose permitted in each grade. The proposed revisions will remove the 3% tolerance for Anthracnose at shipping point and remove the 5% tolerance for Anthracnose en route or at PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 destination. The tolerance for decay would be revised to establish a total tolerance of 1% and 2% respectively for shipping point and en route or at destination for Anthracnose and decay. • § 51.1976 Size: The current standard shows average weights of watermelons ranging from 20 to 42 pounds. Smaller watermelons are much more common in the marketplace than was once the case, so AMS is proposing to align weights with current marketing trends by adjusting the average weights to 10 to 34 pounds. • § 51.1985 Permanent defects and § 51.1986 Condition defects: The current standard lists sunburn as a condition defect, primarily based on the past practice of shipping watermelons in open top trailers. Today, watermelons are generally shipped in enclosed trailers. Melons generally only have sunburn due to exposure in the field. Therefore, AMS proposes to remove sunburn as a condition defect and add sunburn as a permanent defect. • § 51.1978 and § 51.1982: In § 51.1978, AMS proposes to correct the typo in the definition for fairly well formed to read ‘‘the perfect type for the variety’’ instead of ‘‘the perfect type of the variety.’’ In § 51.1982, AMS proposes to add the missing heading identifying the definition: ‘‘Seedless watermelons.’’ • § 51.1987 Classification of defects: AMS proposes to base the scoring guides for sunburn, hail, rind worm injury, scars (and other similar defects), and transit rubs on a 15-pound melon instead of a 25-pound melon, again reflecting that smaller melons are prevalent in today’s markets. The most common size melon sold in the market is 15 pounds, followed by 11 and 18 pounds. In addition, at industry’s request, AMS proposes to base the scoring guide for hollow heart on any size melon instead of 25 pounds. Lastly, also at industry’s request, AMS proposes to limit the scoring of rind worm injury on the ground spot. Consumers tend not to purchase a watermelon based only on the ground spot or any rind worm injury that might be on it. Therefore, AMS proposes that rind worm injury occurring on the ground spot is only scorable under the definition of damage when seriously detracting from the appearance of the melon; rind worm injury occurring on E:\FR\FM\11MRN1.SGM 11MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 46 / Thursday, March 11, 2021 / Notices the ground spot is not scorable as serious damage. • AMS proposes to remove all metric measurements from the standards. The U.S. watermelon industry does not use metrics and finds them a distraction in the standards. The proposed revisions will ensure the standards align with current marketing trends. A 60-day period is provided for interested persons to submit comments on the proposed grade standards. Copies of the proposed revised U.S. Standards for Grades of Watermelons are available at https://www.regulations.gov. After the 60-day comment period, AMS will proceed in accordance with 7 CFR 36.3(a)(1–3). Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621–1627. Bruce Summers, Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. 2021–05044 Filed 3–10–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES March 8, 2021. The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13. Comments are requested regarding; whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments regarding this information collection received by April 12, 2021 will be considered. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be submitted within 30 days of the publication of this notice on the following website www.reginfo.gov/ public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting ‘‘Currently under 30-day VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:53 Mar 10, 2021 Jkt 253001 Review—Open for Public Comments’’ or by using the search function. An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Title: Foot-and-Mouth Disease; Prohibition on Importation of Farm Equipment. OMB Control Number: 0579–0195. Summary of Collection: The Animal Health Protection Act (AHPA) of 2002 is the primary Federal law governing the protection of animal health. (The AHPA is contained in Title X, Subtitle E, Sections 10401–18 of Public Law 107– 171, May 13, 2002, the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, and can be found at 7 U.S.C. 8301 et. seq.) It gives the Secretary of Agriculture broad authority to detect, control, or eradicate pests or diseases of livestock or poultry. The Secretary may also prohibit or restrict import or export of any animal or related material if necessary, to prevent the spread of any livestock or poultry pest or disease. As a result of the occurrences of footand-mouth disease (FMD) in different parts of the world, under 9 CFR 94.1(c) APHIS prohibits the importation of all used farm equipment into the United States from regions in which FMD exists, unless the exporter provides certification signed by an authorized official of the national animal health service of the exporting region stating that the equipment, after its last use and prior to export, has been steam-cleaned free of all exposed dirt and particulate material in the exporting region. APHIS inspects all such farm equipment to ensure it complies with the regulations. Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect information through the use of a certification statement completed by the farm equipment exporter and signed by an authorized official of the national animal health service of the region of origin, stating that the steam-cleaning of the equipment was done prior to export to the United States. This is necessary to help prevent the introduction of FMD into the United States. If the information were not collected APHIS would be not be able to determine risk associated with importing farm equipment and would be forced to stop the importation of used farm equipment from FMD PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 13875 affected regions. This could financially impact exporters and importers of the equipment. Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Federal Government. Number of Respondents: 79. Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion. Total Burden Hours: 1,159. Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service Title: Self Certification Medical Statement. OMB Control Number: 0579–0196. Summary of Collection: The United States Department of Agriculture is responsible for ensuring consumers that food and farm products are moved from producer to consumer in the most efficient, dependable, economical, and equitable system possible. Each year, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) agency hires individuals for commodity grading and inspection positions to ensure this process is efficient and effective. These positions often involve arduous conditions and require direct contact with meat, dairy, fresh or processed fruits and vegetables, and poultry intended for human consumption; and cotton and tobacco products intended for consumer use. 5 CFR part 339 authorizes an agency to request medical information from an applicant that may assist management with employment decisions concerning covered positions that have specific medical or physical fitness requirements. APHIS will collect the applicant’s medical information using MRP Form 5 (Self-Certification Medical Statement). Need and Use of the Information: The information collected from prospective employees assists MRP officials, administrative personnel, and servicing Human Resources Offices in determining an applicant’s physical fitness and suitability for employment in positions with approved medical standards and physical requirements. If the information was not collected, APHIS would not be able to accurately determine the applicant’s fitness to safely perform the duties of the covered positions. Description of Respondents: Individuals. Number of Respondents: 1,826. Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion. Total Burden Hours: 306. Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service Title: Commercial Transportation of Equines for Slaughter. E:\FR\FM\11MRN1.SGM 11MRN1

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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 46 (Thursday, March 11, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13874-13875]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-05044]


========================================================================
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.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 46 / Thursday, March 11, 2021 / 
Notices

[[Page 13874]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-SC-20-0096, SC-20-327]


Revision of U.S. Standards for Grades of Watermelons

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) proposes to revise the U.S. Standards for Grades of 
Watermelons. The proposed changes would provide a common language for 
trade of watermelons.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before May 10, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to 
the USDA, Specialty Crops Inspection Division, 100 Riverside Parkway, 
Suite 101, Fredericksburg, VA 22406; fax: (540) 361-1199; or at 
www.regulations.gov. Comments should reference the date and page 
numbers of this issue of the Federal Register. Comments will be posted 
without change, including any personal information provided. All 
comments received within the comment period will become part of the 
public record maintained by the Agency and will be made available to 
the public via www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David G. Horner, at the address above, 
by phone (540) 361-1128; fax (540) 361-1199; or email 
[email protected]. Copies of the proposed U.S. Standards for 
Watermelons are available at https://www.regulations.gov. Copies of the 
current U.S. Standards for Grades of Watermelons are available on the 
AMS website at www.ams.usda.gov/grades-standards/fruits.

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 U.S. Standards for 
Grades of Fruits and Vegetables that no longer appear in the Code of 
Federal Regulations are maintained by AMS at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/grades-standards. AMS is proposing revisions to these U.S. Standards 
for Grades using the procedures that appear in part 36 of Title 7 of 
the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR part 36).

Background

    On October 22, 2019, the National Watermelon Association (NWA), a 
trade association representing growers, retailers, and shippers, from 
30 U.S. states, Canada, and Central America, petitioned the USDA to 
revise the watermelon standards and update the official USDA visual 
aids library. AMS worked closely with the NWA throughout the 
development of the proposed revisions, soliciting their comments and 
suggestions about the standards through discussion drafts and 
presentations. Through this collaboration, AMS also developed and 
issued four new watermelon visual aids. On November 20, 2020, the NWA 
approved the proposed revisions which are as follows:
     Sec.  51.1973 Tolerances: For defects at shipping point, 
en route, or at destination for the U.S. No. 1 and U.S. No. 2 grades, 
the standards currently provide separate tolerances for Anthracnose and 
decay. Anthracnose lesions on watermelon result in loss of 
marketability. Due to the severity of this defect, industry requested 
the tolerance section be revised to reduce the amount of Anthracnose 
permitted in each grade. The proposed revisions will remove the 3% 
tolerance for Anthracnose at shipping point and remove the 5% tolerance 
for Anthracnose en route or at destination. The tolerance for decay 
would be revised to establish a total tolerance of 1% and 2% 
respectively for shipping point and en route or at destination for 
Anthracnose and decay.
     Sec.  51.1976 Size: The current standard shows average 
weights of watermelons ranging from 20 to 42 pounds. Smaller 
watermelons are much more common in the marketplace than was once the 
case, so AMS is proposing to align weights with current marketing 
trends by adjusting the average weights to 10 to 34 pounds.
     Sec.  51.1985 Permanent defects and Sec.  51.1986 
Condition defects: The current standard lists sunburn as a condition 
defect, primarily based on the past practice of shipping watermelons in 
open top trailers. Today, watermelons are generally shipped in enclosed 
trailers. Melons generally only have sunburn due to exposure in the 
field. Therefore, AMS proposes to remove sunburn as a condition defect 
and add sunburn as a permanent defect.
     Sec.  51.1978 and Sec.  51.1982: In Sec.  51.1978, AMS 
proposes to correct the typo in the definition for fairly well formed 
to read ``the perfect type for the variety'' instead of ``the perfect 
type of the variety.'' In Sec.  51.1982, AMS proposes to add the 
missing heading identifying the definition: ``Seedless watermelons.''
     Sec.  51.1987 Classification of defects: AMS proposes to 
base the scoring guides for sunburn, hail, rind worm injury, scars (and 
other similar defects), and transit rubs on a 15-pound melon instead of 
a 25-pound melon, again reflecting that smaller melons are prevalent in 
today's markets. The most common size melon sold in the market is 15 
pounds, followed by 11 and 18 pounds. In addition, at industry's 
request, AMS proposes to base the scoring guide for hollow heart on any 
size melon instead of 25 pounds. Lastly, also at industry's request, 
AMS proposes to limit the scoring of rind worm injury on the ground 
spot. Consumers tend not to purchase a watermelon based only on the 
ground spot or any rind worm injury that might be on it. Therefore, AMS 
proposes that rind worm injury occurring on the ground spot is only 
scorable under the definition of damage when seriously detracting from 
the appearance of the melon; rind worm injury occurring on

[[Page 13875]]

the ground spot is not scorable as serious damage.
     AMS proposes to remove all metric measurements from the 
standards. The U.S. watermelon industry does not use metrics and finds 
them a distraction in the standards.
    The proposed revisions will ensure the standards align with current 
marketing trends.
    A 60-day period is provided for interested persons to submit 
comments on the proposed grade standards. Copies of the proposed 
revised U.S. Standards for Grades of Watermelons are available at 
https://www.regulations.gov. After the 60-day comment period, AMS will 
proceed in accordance with 7 CFR 36.3(a)(1-3).

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

Bruce Summers,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-05044 Filed 3-10-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P

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