[Federal Register: March 11, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 47)]
[Notices]
[Page 12175-12176]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11mr05-37]
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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; request for public comment.
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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), of the Department of
Agriculture, is soliciting comments on a proposal to revise the United
States Standards for Grades of Strawberries. AMS has received a
petition from the California Strawberry Commission (CSC), requesting
that the current standards be modified to allow percentages be
determined on the basis of count and not volume. Additionally, AMS is
seeking comments regarding any other revisions that may be necessary to
better serve the industry.
DATES: Comments must be received by May 10, 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: David L. Priester, at the above
address
[[Page 12176]]
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 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 petition from the CSC requesting a revision to the
United States Standards for Grades of Strawberries. The standards are
established under the authority of the Agricultural Marketing Act of
1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621-1627). The petitioner represents more than 700
strawberry growers, shippers, and processors.
The petitioner is requesting that USDA revise the standards to
allow that percentages be determined on the basis of count and not
volume. Currently the standards state that the percentages of defects
will be determined on the basis of volume. The volume is determined by
counting the berries in a sample, and then dividing the total number of
berries into 100 percent. The resulting number will be the percentage
by volume of the average size berry in the sample. For example, in a
sample that has 25 berries the average size berry will be equal to 4
percent with smaller berries representing less and larger berries
representing more of the percentage by volume in the sample. Industry
believes determining percentages by count will simplify tolerance
determination.
Prior to undertaking detailed work to develop a proposed revision
to the standard, AMS is soliciting comments on the petition submitted
to revise the United States Standards for Grades of Strawberries.
This notice provides for a 60-day comment period for interested
parties to comment on changes to the standards. Should AMS conclude
that revisions are needed, the Agency will develop a proposed revised
standard that will be published in the Federal Register with a request
for comments in accordance with 7 CFR Part 36.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627.
Dated: March 7, 2005.
Kenneth C. Clayton,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 05-4812 Filed 3-10-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P