[Federal Register: March 11, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 47)]
[Notices]
[Page 12172]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11mr05-32]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket Number FV-04-307]
United States Standards for Grades of Cucumbers
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice; withdrawal.
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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is withdrawing the
notice soliciting comments on its proposal to amend the voluntary
United States Standards for Grades of Cucumbers. After reviewing and
considering the comments received, the Agency has decided not to
proceed with this action.
EFFECTIVE DATE: March 11, 2005.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Priester, Standardization
Section, Fresh Products Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs,
Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400
Independence Avenue, SW., Room 1661 South Building, STOP 0240,
Washington, DC 20250-0240, Fax (202) 720-8871 or call (202) 720-2185;
e-mail David.Priester@usda.gov. The United States Standards for Grades
of Cucumbers 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
.
Background
At a 2003 meeting with the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory
Committee, AMS was asked to review all the fresh fruit and vegetable
grade standards for usefulness in serving the industry. AMS had
identified the United States Standards for Grades of Cucumbers for a
possible revision. The United States Standards for Grades of Cucumbers
were last amended March 1, 1958.
On June 25, 2004, a notice requesting comments on the possible
revision of the standards by incorporating industry terms as well as
other changes was published in the Federal Register (69 FR 35572) with
the comment period ending August 24, 2004.
Three comments were received during the official period for
comment. One comment from a consumer did not support revising the
standard. One comment from an industry member supported the inclusion
of industry terms. The commenter stated, ``I feel we should have two
categories for Super Selects: 1 criteria being a 66-76 count
and a 2 criteria being a 56-65 count.'' However, another
industry member commented, ``That the terms Super Select, Select,
Small, Large and Plain are commonly used by the industry to convey the
desired size, quality and condition of cucumbers but that the criteria
for these terms are not consistently defined. This commenter noted that
the meaning is often interpreted differently by various trading
partners.'' This industry member further stated, ``* * * that wholesale
receivers and the greater produce industry would be better served if
current trading practices were supported by a system of U.S. grade
standards that establish reasonable parameters for size, consistency of
size within packs and provide more meaningful definitions for quality
and condition.'' However, the commenter did not include those
definitions.
While some members of the industry agree that a consistency of size
and specific count ranges would promote orderly marketing, different
segments within the industry are divided over the meanings of industry
terms. In view of the lack of any substantial consensus as to whether
the proposed inclusion of industry terms would meet the needs of the
entire industry, the notice is being withdrawn. The withdrawal of this
notice will provide industry representatives with an opportunity for
further discussions in the areas of mutual concern.
After reviewing and considering the comments received, the Agency
has decided not to proceed with the action. Therefore, the notice
published June 25, 2004 (69 FR 35572), is withdrawn.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627.
Dated: March 7, 2005.
Kenneth C. Clayton,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 05-4810 Filed 3-10-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P