United States Standards for Lentils, 31694-31695 [2021-12564]

Download as PDF 31694 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 113 / Tuesday, June 15, 2021 / Notices such as the type of sample used for a particular quality analysis; explain the basis of determination; and specify grades and grade requirements. Official procedures for determining grading factors are provided in the Pea and Lentil Inspection Handbook. Together, the grading standards and testing procedures allow buyers and sellers to communicate quality requirements, compare pea quality using equivalent forms of measurement, and assist in price discovery. AMS engages in outreach with stakeholders to ensure commodity standards maintain relevance to the modern market. Pea industry stakeholders include the USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council (USADPLC), a national organization of producers, processors, and exporters of U.S. dry peas, lentils, and chickpeas; the U.S. Pea and Lentil Trade Association (USPLTA), a national association representing processors, traders, handlers and merchandisers, and transporters in the pea, lentil and chickpea industry; and, other handlers and merchandisers. The United States Standards for Split Peas and the official inspection procedures for Split Peas in the Pea and Lentil Handbook are available on the AMS public website. The United States Standards for Peas were last revised in 2009. A ‘‘whole pea’’ is defined as ‘‘any pea which is 55 percent or more of a whole pea.’’ Industry stakeholders told AMS it is difficult to meet split pea contract specifications due to the strict standards required to achieve a ‘‘split pea’’ based on the current tolerance of a ‘‘whole pea.’’ Stakeholders asked AMS to revise the tolerance for whole pea in the class Split Peas. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES Revision of Split Pea Tolerances for Whole Peas Stakeholders recommended AMS revise the Pea and Lentil Inspection Handbook tolerance for whole peas. AMS and stakeholders worked collaboratively to redefine the tolerances for whole peas in Split Peas. Additionally, these changes were recommended to AMS by the stakeholder organizations identified above to facilitate the current marketing practices. Comment Review AMS published a Notice in the Federal Register on September 29, 2020 (85 FR 60955), inviting interested parties to comment on the proposed revision to the whole pea determination for Split Peas. AMS received four comments in response to the notice. One comment strongly supported the VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:02 Jun 14, 2021 Jkt 253001 proposed revision. AMS received no comments opposing the proposed revision. AMS received three comments that were not germane to the issue. AMS believes this revision will facilitate marketing of split peas and better reflect current marketing practices. The revision becomes effective upon publication in the Federal Register, and the Pea and Lentil Inspection Handbook will be revised to incorporate the revision to the standards. Final Action AMS–FGIS is revising split pea inspection criteria in the Pea and Lentil Inspection Handbook by increasing the percent needed for a split pea to be considered a whole pea from 55 percent or more to 60 percent or more. Therefore, a ‘‘whole pea’’ is any pea which is 60 percent or more of a whole pea. Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621–1627. Erin Morris, Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. 2021–12569 Filed 6–14–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service [Doc. No. AMS–FGIS–20–0066] United States Standards for Lentils Agricultural Marketing Service, Agriculture (USDA). ACTION: Notice of final action. AGENCY: This action is being taken under the authority of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as amended, (AMA). The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is revising the method of interpretation for the determination of the special grade ‘‘Green’’ in the Pea and Lentil Inspection Handbook pertaining to the class ‘‘Lentils,’’ in the U.S. Standards for Lentils. Stakeholders in the lentil processing/handling industry requested that AMS amend the interpretation of the special grade ‘‘Green’’ in the Lentil inspection instructions by redefining the definition and including criteria for the inclusion of mottled lentils. DATES: Applicability date: June 15, 2021. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Loren Almond, USDA AMS; Telephone: (816) 702–3925; Email: Loren.L.Almond@usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the authority of the AMA (7 U.S.C. 1621– 1627), as amended, AMS establishes SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 and maintains a variety of quality and grade standards for agricultural commodities that serve as a fundamental starting point to define commodity quality in the domestic and global marketplace. Standards developed under the AMA include those for rice, whole dry peas, split peas, feed peas, lentils, and beans. The U.S. Standards for whole dry peas, split peas, feed peas, lentils and beans no longer appear in the Code of Federal Regulations but are now maintained by USDA–AMS-Federal Grain Inspection Service (AMS–FGIS). The U.S. Standards for lentils are voluntary and widely used in private contracts, government procurement, marketing communication, and for some commodities, consumer information. The lentil standards facilitate lentil marketing and define U.S. lentil quality in the domestic and global marketplace. The standards define commonly used industry terms; contain basic principles governing the application of standards, such as the type of sample used for a particular quality analysis; explain the basis of determination; and specify grades and grade requirements. Official procedures for determining grading factors are provided in the Pea and Lentil Inspection Handbook. Together, the grading standards and testing procedures allow buyers and sellers to communicate quality requirements, compare lentil quality using equivalent forms of measurement, and assist in price discovery. AMS engages in outreach with stakeholders to ensure commodity standards maintain relevance to the modern market. Lentil industry stakeholders include the USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council (USADPLC), a national organization of producers, processors, and exporters of U.S. dry peas, lentils, and chickpeas; the U.S. Pea and Lentil Trade Association (USPLTA), a national association representing processors, traders, handlers and merchandisers, and transporters in the pea, lentil and chickpea industry; and, other handlers and merchandisers. The United States Standards for Lentils and the official inspection procedures for lentils in the Pea and Lentil Handbook are available on the AMS public website. The United States Standards for Lentils were last revised in 2017 with the establishment of a new grading factor ‘‘wrinkled lentils,’’ and the new special grade of ‘‘Green’’ in lentils. With the current criteria, it is difficult to meet specifications due to the strict standards required to achieve the special grade ‘‘Green’’ in lentils. During meetings and discussions, lentil E:\FR\FM\15JNN1.SGM 15JNN1 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 113 / Tuesday, June 15, 2021 / Notices stakeholders communicated the need to revise the Standards and the Pea and Lentil Inspection Handbook by changing the definition of Green Lentils and the criteria to include a percentage of allowable mottled lentils in the lentil sample. Revision of Special Grade ‘‘Green Lentils’’ Stakeholders, including the USADPLC, recommended AMS revise the lentil criteria for the special grade ‘‘Green’’ in the class ‘‘Lentils.’’ Stakeholders stated most shipments of lentils did not achieve the special grade ‘‘Green’’ based on current criteria. AMS and stakeholders worked collaboratively to redefine the special grade ‘‘Green’’ in lentils to best reflect the special grade condition. Additionally, stakeholders endorsed the following definition: ‘‘Green Lentils. Clear seeded (green) lentils possessing a natural, uniformly green color.’’ The proposed inspection instruction in the Pea and Lentil Handbook is being modified from what appeared in the notice and request for comments, for greater clarity, to state: ‘‘The portion size of approximately 60 grams for small seeded lentils and 125 grams for large seeded lentils must contain less than 0.5 percent lentils with mottling and be free of any lentils of contrasting color, before the removal of defects, and must be equal to or better than depicted on the Interpretive Line Print after the removal of dockage.’’ khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES Comment Review AMS published a Notice in the Federal Register on September 29, 2020 (85 FR 60956), inviting interested parties to comment on the proposed revisions to the United States Standards for Lentils. AMS received one comment strongly supporting the proposed revision. AMS received no comments opposing the proposed revision. AMS believes that these revisions will facilitate the marketing of lentils and better reflect current marketing practices. Accordingly, AMS is implementing the revisions as proposed. The revisions to the standards become effective upon publication in the Federal Register, and the Pea and Lentil Inspection Handbook will be revised to incorporate the revisions to the standards. Final Action AMS–FGIS is revising the lentil standards to revise the definition for the special grade ‘‘Green’’ in lentils. Accordingly, the following section of the United States Standards for Lentils under the AMA is amended as follows: Section 609: Special grades and VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:02 Jun 14, 2021 Jkt 253001 requirements, is amended to include the following definition: Green Lentils. Clear seeded (green) lentils possessing a natural, uniformly green color. AMS–FGIS is revising lentil inspection criteria in the Pea and Lentil Inspection Handbook by including the following instruction pertaining to special grade ‘‘Green’’: The portion size of approximately 60 grams for small seeded lentils and 125 grams for large seeded lentils must contain less than 0.5 percent lentils with mottling and be free of any lentils of contrasting color, before the removal of defects, and must be equal to or better than depicted on the Interpretive Line Print after the removal of dockage. Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621–1627. Erin Morris, Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. 2021–12564 Filed 6–14–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS Agenda and Notice of Public Meeting of the South Dakota Advisory Committee Commission on Civil Rights. Announcement of public meeting. AGENCY: ACTION: Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the provisions of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (Commission), and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), that the South Dakota State Advisory Committee to the Commission will convene a meeting on July 21, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. (CT). The purpose of the meeting is for project planning to discuss next steps related to its report on Maternal Mortality and Health Disparities of American Indian Women in South Dakota. DATES: Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. (CT). Public Web Conference Registration Link (video and audio): https://bit.ly/ 3eoX6To; password, if needed: USCCR If Joining by Phone Only, Dial: 1–800– 360–9505; access code: 199 390 2377 SUMMARY: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mallory Trachtenberg at mtrachtenberg@usccr.gov or by phone at (202) 809–9618. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The meeting is available to the public through the web link above. If joining only via phone, callers can expect to incur charges for calls they initiate over PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 31695 wireless lines, and the Commission will not refund any incurred charges. Individuals who are deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing may also follow the proceedings by first calling the Federal Relay Service at 1–800–877–8339 and providing the Service with conference details found through registering at the web link above. To request other accommodations, please email mtrachtenberg@usccr.gov at least 7 days prior to the meeting for which accommodations are requested. Members of the public are entitled to make comments during the open period at the end of the meeting. Members of the public may also submit written comments; the comments must be received in the Regional Programs Unit within 30 days following the meeting. Written comments may be emailed to Mallory Trachtenberg at mtrachtenberg@usccr.gov. Persons who desire additional information may contact the Regional Programs Unit at (202) 809–9618. Records and documents discussed during the meeting will be available for public viewing as they become available at www.facadatabase.gov. Persons interested in the work of this advisory committee are advised to go to the Commission’s website, www.usccr.gov, or to contact the Regional Programs Unit at the above phone number or email address. Agenda Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. (CT) I. Welcome and Roll Call II. Announcements and Updates III. Approval of Minutes IV. Project Planning V. Public Comment VI. Next Steps VII. Adjournment Dated: June 10, 2021. David Mussatt, Supervisory Chief, Regional Programs Unit. [FR Doc. 2021–12544 Filed 6–14–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Foreign-Trade Zones Board [B–45–2021] Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 281—MiamiDade County, Florida; Notification of Proposed Production Activity; Intel Corporation (Kitting, Assembly and Packaging of Computer Electronics), Miami, Florida ModusLink Corporation, a proposed operator within FTZ 281, in Miami, E:\FR\FM\15JNN1.SGM 15JNN1

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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 113 (Tuesday, June 15, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31694-31695]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-12564]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-FGIS-20-0066]


United States Standards for Lentils

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, Agriculture (USDA).

ACTION: Notice of final action.

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

SUMMARY: This action is being taken under the authority of the 
Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as amended, (AMA). The United 
States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing 
Service (AMS) is revising the method of interpretation for the 
determination of the special grade ``Green'' in the Pea and Lentil 
Inspection Handbook pertaining to the class ``Lentils,'' in the U.S. 
Standards for Lentils. Stakeholders in the lentil processing/handling 
industry requested that AMS amend the interpretation of the special 
grade ``Green'' in the Lentil inspection instructions by redefining the 
definition and including criteria for the inclusion of mottled lentils.

DATES: Applicability date: June 15, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Loren Almond, USDA AMS; Telephone: 
(816) 702-3925; Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the authority of the AMA (7 U.S.C. 
1621-1627), as amended, AMS establishes and maintains a variety of 
quality and grade standards for agricultural commodities that serve as 
a fundamental starting point to define commodity quality in the 
domestic and global marketplace.
    Standards developed under the AMA include those for rice, whole dry 
peas, split peas, feed peas, lentils, and beans. The U.S. Standards for 
whole dry peas, split peas, feed peas, lentils and beans no longer 
appear in the Code of Federal Regulations but are now maintained by 
USDA-AMS-Federal Grain Inspection Service (AMS-FGIS). The U.S. 
Standards for lentils are voluntary and widely used in private 
contracts, government procurement, marketing communication, and for 
some commodities, consumer information.
    The lentil standards facilitate lentil marketing and define U.S. 
lentil quality in the domestic and global marketplace. The standards 
define commonly used industry terms; contain basic principles governing 
the application of standards, such as the type of sample used for a 
particular quality analysis; explain the basis of determination; and 
specify grades and grade requirements. Official procedures for 
determining grading factors are provided in the Pea and Lentil 
Inspection Handbook. Together, the grading standards and testing 
procedures allow buyers and sellers to communicate quality 
requirements, compare lentil quality using equivalent forms of 
measurement, and assist in price discovery.
    AMS engages in outreach with stakeholders to ensure commodity 
standards maintain relevance to the modern market. Lentil industry 
stakeholders include the USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council (USADPLC), a 
national organization of producers, processors, and exporters of U.S. 
dry peas, lentils, and chickpeas; the U.S. Pea and Lentil Trade 
Association (USPLTA), a national association representing processors, 
traders, handlers and merchandisers, and transporters in the pea, 
lentil and chickpea industry; and, other handlers and merchandisers.
    The United States Standards for Lentils and the official inspection 
procedures for lentils in the Pea and Lentil Handbook are available on 
the AMS public website. The United States Standards for Lentils were 
last revised in 2017 with the establishment of a new grading factor 
``wrinkled lentils,'' and the new special grade of ``Green'' in 
lentils. With the current criteria, it is difficult to meet 
specifications due to the strict standards required to achieve the 
special grade ``Green'' in lentils. During meetings and discussions, 
lentil

[[Page 31695]]

stakeholders communicated the need to revise the Standards and the Pea 
and Lentil Inspection Handbook by changing the definition of Green 
Lentils and the criteria to include a percentage of allowable mottled 
lentils in the lentil sample.

Revision of Special Grade ``Green Lentils''

    Stakeholders, including the USADPLC, recommended AMS revise the 
lentil criteria for the special grade ``Green'' in the class 
``Lentils.'' Stakeholders stated most shipments of lentils did not 
achieve the special grade ``Green'' based on current criteria. AMS and 
stakeholders worked collaboratively to redefine the special grade 
``Green'' in lentils to best reflect the special grade condition. 
Additionally, stakeholders endorsed the following definition: ``Green 
Lentils. Clear seeded (green) lentils possessing a natural, uniformly 
green color.'' The proposed inspection instruction in the Pea and 
Lentil Handbook is being modified from what appeared in the notice and 
request for comments, for greater clarity, to state: ``The portion size 
of approximately 60 grams for small seeded lentils and 125 grams for 
large seeded lentils must contain less than 0.5 percent lentils with 
mottling and be free of any lentils of contrasting color, before the 
removal of defects, and must be equal to or better than depicted on the 
Interpretive Line Print after the removal of dockage.''

Comment Review

    AMS published a Notice in the Federal Register on September 29, 
2020 (85 FR 60956), inviting interested parties to comment on the 
proposed revisions to the United States Standards for Lentils. AMS 
received one comment strongly supporting the proposed revision. AMS 
received no comments opposing the proposed revision. AMS believes that 
these revisions will facilitate the marketing of lentils and better 
reflect current marketing practices. Accordingly, AMS is implementing 
the revisions as proposed. The revisions to the standards become 
effective upon publication in the Federal Register, and the Pea and 
Lentil Inspection Handbook will be revised to incorporate the revisions 
to the standards.

Final Action

    AMS-FGIS is revising the lentil standards to revise the definition 
for the special grade ``Green'' in lentils. Accordingly, the following 
section of the United States Standards for Lentils under the AMA is 
amended as follows: Section 609: Special grades and requirements, is 
amended to include the following definition: Green Lentils. Clear 
seeded (green) lentils possessing a natural, uniformly green color.
    AMS-FGIS is revising lentil inspection criteria in the Pea and 
Lentil Inspection Handbook by including the following instruction 
pertaining to special grade ``Green'': The portion size of 
approximately 60 grams for small seeded lentils and 125 grams for large 
seeded lentils must contain less than 0.5 percent lentils with mottling 
and be free of any lentils of contrasting color, before the removal of 
defects, and must be equal to or better than depicted on the 
Interpretive Line Print after the removal of dockage.

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

Erin Morris,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-12564 Filed 6-14-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P

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