[Federal Register: October 29, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 209)]
[Notices]
[Page 63133-63134]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29oc04-39]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket No. FV-04-306]
United States Standards for Grades of Watermelons
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice; request for public comment.
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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), of the Department of
Agriculture is soliciting comments on the proposal to revise the United
States Standards for Grades of Watermelons. AMS has received a petition
from the National Watermelon Association (NWA), requesting a definition
for seedless watermelons be added to the standards. Additionally, the
petition included a request to add a variance to the size requirements.
This change was requested by the industry in order to bring the
standards for watermelons in line with current marketing practices,
thereby, improving the usefulness of the standards in serving the
industry.
DATES: Comments must be received by December 28, 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. 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. The United States Standards for Grades of Watermelons
is available either through the address cited above or by accessing the
AMS Home Page on the Web at http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/fvstand.htm.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David L. Priester, at the above
address or call (202) 720-2185; E-mail David.Priester@usda.gov.
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.
AMS is proposing to revise the voluntary United States Standards
for Grades of Watermelons using procedures that appear in part 36 Title
7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR part 36). These standards
were last revised in 1978.
Background
AMS received a petition from the NWA requesting a revision to the
United States Standards for Grades of Watermelons. The standards are
established under the authority of the Agricultural Marketing Act of
1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621-1627). The petitioner represents watermelon growers
and distributors from 30 states as well as Canada and Mexico.
The petitioner is requesting that USDA add the following
definition: ``Seedless Watermelons'' are watermelons which have 16 or
less mature seeds, not to include pips/caplets, on the face of the
melon which
[[Page 63134]]
has been cut into four equal sections (one lengthwise cut and one
crosswise cut). Additionally, the petitioner is requesting the size
requirements be revised. Currently the size requirements state, ``When
the size of the watermelons is stated in terms of average weight,
unless otherwise specified, the melons in any lot averaging less than
30 pounds (13.6 kgs.) shall not vary more than 3 pounds (1.4 kgs.)
below the stated average, and the melons in any lot averaging 30 pounds
(13.6 kgs.) or more shall not vary more than 5 pounds (2.3 kgs.) below
the stated average.'' The petitioner is requesting the size
requirements be revised to allow for watermelons to vary 3 pounds above
or below the average. Therefore, the size requirements would state,
``When the size of the watermelons is stated in terms of average
weight, unless otherwise specified, the melons in any lot averaging
less than 30 pounds (13.6 kgs.) shall not vary more than 3 pounds (1.4
kgs.) above or below the stated average, and the melons in any lot
averaging 30 pounds (13.6 kgs.) or more shall not vary more than 5
pounds (2.3 kgs.) below the stated average.''
Prior to undertaking research and other work associated with
revision of the grade standards, AMS decided to seek public comments on
the petition. A notice requesting comments on the petition to revise
the United States Standards for Grades of Watermelons was published in
the April 22, 2004, Federal Register (69 FR 21812).
In response to our request for comments, AMS received one comment
from an industry group. The comment was in favor of the proposed
revision of the standards.
Based on the submitted information, AMS is proposing to revise the
standards for watermelons following the standard format for U.S. Grade
Standards. Specifically, the proposed revision will define seedless
watermelons by including the following definition: ``Seedless
Watermelons'' are watermelons which have 16 or less mature seeds, not
to include pips/caplets, on the face of the melon which has been cut
into four equal sections (one lengthwise cut and one crosswise cut).
AMS is also proposing to change the size requirements by adding an
allowance for watermelons to vary 3 pounds above or below the stated
average weight.
This proposal will bring the standards for watermelons in line with
current marketing practices, thereby, improving the usefulness of the
standards in serving the industry. The official grade of a lot of
watermelons covered by these standards will be determined by the
procedures set forth in the Regulations Governing Inspection,
Certification, and Standards of Fresh Fruits, Vegetables and Other
Products (Sec. Sec. 51.1 to 51.61).
This notice provides for a 60-day comment period for interested
parties to comment on changes to the standards.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627.
Dated: October 25, 2004.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 04-24162 Filed 10-28-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P