[Federal Register: September 12, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 175)]
[Notices]
[Page 53774]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr12se05-14]
[[Page 53774]]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket Number FV-05-305]
United States Standards for Grades of Globe Artichokes
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 Globe Artichokes. AMS is
proposing to include a U.S. No. 1 Long Stem grade along with an
undersize tolerance of 5 percent in the standards. The new grade will
have the same requirements as the U.S. No. 1 except that the stems must
be smoothly cut to a minimum length of at least 8 inches, unless
specified to a longer length in connection with the grade. AMS is
proposing to further define ``fairly compact'' to include a definition
for ``slightly spread'' to mean, ``the outer scales may be slightly
open, but the inner scales at the tip of the artichoke must be closely
folded into the bud.'' The proposed revisions would bring the standards
for globe artichokes in line with current marketing practices, thereby
improving their usefulness in serving the industry.
DATES: Comments must be received by November 14, 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 Globe
Artichokes is available either at the above address 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.
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 Globe Artichokes 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 1969.
Background
Prior to undertaking research and other work associated with
revision of the grade standards, AMS published a notice in the Federal
Register (70 FR 21391) on April 26, 2005, soliciting comments on the
possible revision to the United States Standards for Grades of Globe
Artichokes.
In response to our request for comments, AMS received one comment
from an industry group. The comment was a request to revise the current
standards to allow the standards to be used for ``long stem'' globe
artichokes in addition to the traditional ``short stem'' globe
artichokes. AMS is proposing to include a U.S. No. 1 Long Stem grade
along with an undersize tolerance of 5 percent in the standards. The
new grade will have the same requirements as the U.S. No. 1 except that
the stems must be smoothly cut to a minimum length of at least 8 inches
unless specified to a longer length in connection with the grade. The
Agency has been asked to revise the standards to further define
``fairly compact'' to include a definition for ``slightly spread.'' AMS
is proposing ``slightly spread'' to mean, ``the outer scales may be
slightly open, but the inner scales at the tip of the artichoke must be
closely folded into the bud.'' The Agency has also been asked about the
current guidelines for scoring ``frosted artichokes.'' The standards
provide a definition for damage and serious damage based upon
materially or seriously affecting the appearance, or the edible, or
marketing quality of the globe artichoke. AMS believes that the current
definitions for damage and serious damage within the scoring guide are
sufficient for determining the extent of frost injury to the globe
artichoke.
This proposal will bring the standards for globe artichokes in line
with current marketing practices, thereby improving their usefulness in
serving the industry.
The official grade of a lot of globe artichokes 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 (7 CFR 51.1 to 51.61).
This notice provides for a 60-day comment period for interested
parties to comment on changes to the standard.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627.
Dated: September 6, 2005.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 05-17947 Filed 9-9-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P