[Federal Register: March 11, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 47)]
[Notices]
[Page 12174-12175]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11mr05-35]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket Number FV-04-309]
United States Standards for Grades of Persian (Tahiti) Limes
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice; request for public comment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), is soliciting
comments on its proposal to revise the United States Standards for
Grades of Persian (Tahiti) Limes. Specifically, AMS is proposing to
revise the color and juice requirements. The proposed revision would
simplify the two requirements in the standards which are complex and
difficult to apply. These changes would bring the lime standards in
line with other citrus standards, thereby, improving the usefulness in
serving 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 U.S. Standards for Grades of Persian (Tahiti) Limes
are available either from the above address or the Fresh Products
Branch Web site page at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/standards/limes.pdf.
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 that are not requirements of 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 U.S. Standards for Grades
of Persian (Tahiti) Limes using the procedures that appear in Part 36
Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR Part 36). These
standards were last revised in 1958.
Background
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 possible revision of
the U.S. Standards for Grades of Persian (Tahiti) Limes was published
in the June 25, 2004, Federal Register (69 FR 35572).
In response to the request for comments, AMS received two comments.
One comment from a private individual which did not support the
revision. One comment from a national association of produce receivers
favored the revision.
Based on the comments received and information gathered, AMS is
proposing to revise the standards for limes following the standard
format for U.S. Grade Standards. The proposed revisions would remove
the requirements related to color which specify the percentage of the
lime surface that shall have good green color. The standard also
specify's that limes which fail to meet a grade due to blanching shall
be designated as ``Mixed Color'' and limes that fail to meet a grade
because of turning yellow due to ripening shall be designated as
``Turning.'' Also, the proposed revision would remove the juice content
requirement. This will result in limes with lesser color and juice
content to be scored as defects using the existing ``Damage'' and
``Serious Damage'' definitions for ``Blanching,'' ``Yellow Color'' and
``Dryness or Mushy Condition.'' Therefore, when individual limes fail
to meet the above requirements, they will be scored as defects against
a given U.S. grade, and if the number of defects exceeds the total
grade tolerance, the limes would fail to meet the U.S. grade. This
proposal will bring the standards for limes in line with the other U.S.
standards for citrus. AMS believes that
[[Page 12175]]
changing these requirements is warranted to better serve the industry.
The official grades of limes covered by these standards are determined
by procedures set forth in the Regulations Governing Inspection,
Certification and Standards of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables and Other
Products (Sec. 51.1 to 51.61).
This notice provides for a 60-day comment period for interested
parties to comment on the proposed revision of the U.S. Standards for
Grades of Persian (Tahiti) Limes.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627.
Dated: March 7, 2005.
Kenneth C. Clayton,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 05-4815 Filed 3-10-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P