[Federal Register: June 15, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 114)]
[Notices]
[Page 33345]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15jn04-22]
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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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[[Page 33345]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Doc. FV-04-308]
United States Standards for Grades of Sweet Peppers
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), prior to undertaking
research and other work associated with revising official grade
standards, is soliciting comments on the possible revision to the
United States Standards for Grades of Sweet Peppers. The Fruit and
Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee has asked AMS to review all fresh
fruit and vegetable grade standards for usefulness in serving the
industry. As a result, AMS has noted that tolerances need to be
separated for decay affecting walls and/or calyxes from decay affecting
stems only. Other areas for possible revision include adopting and
defining industry terms for size and color. Additionally, AMS is
seeking comments regarding any other revisions that may be necessary to
better serve the industry.
DATES: Comments must be received by August 16, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to
the Standardization Section, Fresh Products Branch, Fruit and Vegetable
Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Room 1661 South Building, Stop
0240, Washington, DC 20250-0240; fax (202) 720-8871, E-mail
FPB.DocketClerk@usda.gov or you may also send your comments by the
electronic process available at the Federal eRulemaking portal at
http://www.regulations.gov. 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David L. Priester, at the above
address or call (202) 720-2185; E-mail David.Priester@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a 2003 meeting of the Fruit and Vegetable
Industry Advisory Committee, AMS was asked to review all fresh fruit
and vegetable grade standards for usefulness in serving the industry.
AMS has identified the United States Standards for Grades of Sweet
Peppers for possible revision. These standards were last revised in
1989. The current standards for all grades of sweet peppers allow a two
percent tolerance for decay affecting stems, walls and calyxes. All
decay seriously detracts from the appearance or the edible or shipping
quality of the pepper. However, decay affecting the stems only does not
affect the edible portion of the pepper. Therefore, AMS is considering
a change in the scoring and reporting of decay. Decay affecting walls
and calyxes shall continue to be scored against the restrictive
tolerance of two percent for decay. Decay affecting the stems only
shall be scored against the serious damage tolerance of five percent
for U.S. Fancy and U.S. No. 1 grades, and against the total lot
tolerance of ten percent for serious damage in the U.S. No. 2 grade.
AMS believes that a change to the decay tolerance is warranted to
better serve the industry. Other areas under review are industry terms
for size based on 1\1/9\ bushel containers as well as the terms
``chocolate'' and ``suntan'' which the industry uses to describe the
color of peppers. Prior to undertaking detailed work to develop the
proposed revised standards, AMS is soliciting comments on the possible
revision of the standards for grades of sweet peppers and the probable
impact on distributors, processors, and growers.
This notice provides for a 60-day comment period for interested
parties to comment on changes to the standards. Should AMS proceed with
revising the standards, the proposed revision of the standards will be
published in the Federal Register with a request for comments.
Dated: June 7, 2004.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 04-13360 Filed 6-14-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-U