[Federal Register: September 7, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 172)]
[Notices]
[Page 53148-53149]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07se05-35]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket Number FV-05-301]
United States Standards for Grades of Strawberries
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 its proposal to revise the
United States Standards for Grades of Strawberries. Based on a request
from the California Strawberry Commission (CSC), AMS is proposing to
modify the standards to allow that percentages be determined by count
rather than volume. The proposed revision will make tolerance
determination more objective and uniform.
DATES: Comments must be received by November 7, 2005.
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 Strawberries
are available either through the address cited above or by accessing
the Fresh Products Branch Web site at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/standards/stanfrfv.htm
.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheri L Emery, at the above address or
call (202) 720-2185, E-mail Cheri.Emery@usda.gov.
[[Page 53149]]
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 Strawberries 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 1965.
Background
AMS received a request from the CSC requesting a revision to the
United States Standards for Grades of Strawberries to allow that
percentages be determined by count rather than volume.
Prior to undertaking research and other work associated with a
revision of the grade standards, AMS decided to seek public comments on
the request. On March 11, 2005, AMS published a notice in the Federal
Register (70 FR 12175) soliciting comments on a possible revision to
the United States Standards for Grades of Strawberries.
In response to our request for comments, AMS received five comments
from industry groups. Four comments were in favor of the revision to
the standard and one comment was opposed. The comments are available by
accessing AMS's Home Page on the Internet at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/fpbdocketlist.htm
.
The one comment opposing the revision stated, ``To change to a
count-based system would treat berries of varying sizes equally. This
may be more expeditious, but from our perspective reduces the relevance
and effectiveness of USDA inspections.'' By changing to a count basis
each berry will represent the same percentage of the container
regardless of the size of the berry. Currently, each inspector must
determine the volume of each berry in relation to the container based
on a visual estimation. Modifying the standards to allow that
percentages be determined by count will provide more objectivity to an
inspection.
AMS received four comments in favor of the revision. Those in favor
of the revision stated the proposed rule change follows changing
industry practices and market demand by replacing a subjective volume
determination, with a more preferred and easily understood objective
measurement.
AMS believes the proposed revision to allow percentages to be
determined by count rather than volume would establish a clear uniform
procedure for determining the percentages. Additionally, AMS is
proposing to eliminate the unclassified category. This section is being
removed in all standards, when they are revised. This category is not a
grade and only serves to show that no grade has been applied to the
lot. It is no longer considered necessary.
The official grade of a lot of strawberries covered by these
standards is determined by the procedures set forth in the Regulations
Governing Inspection, Certification, and Standards of Fresh Fruits,
Vegetables and Other Products (Sec. 51.1 to 51.61).
This notice provides a 60-day comment period for interested parties
to comment on changes to the standard.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627.
Dated: September 1, 2005.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 05-17708 Filed 9-6-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P