[Federal Register: March 24, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 56)]
[Notices]
[Page 15065]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24mr05-28]
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Notices
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
appearing in this section.
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[[Page 15065]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Doc. No. FV-04-303]
United States Standards for Grades of Field Grown Leaf Lettuce
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 (USDA) is soliciting comments on its proposal to create a
new voluntary U.S. Standard for Grades of Field Grown Leaf Lettuce.
This action is being taken at the request of the Fruit and Vegetable
Industry Advisory Committee, which asked AMS to identify commodities
that needed grade standards developed to facilitate commerce. The
proposed standards would provide industry with a common language and
uniform basis for trading, thus promoting the orderly and efficient
marketing of field grown leaf lettuce.
DATES: Comments must be received by May 23, 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 proposed U.S. Standards for Grades of Field Grown Leaf Lettuce
are available either from the above address or the Fresh Products
Branch Federal Register notices page at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/fpbdocketlist.htm
.
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 establish voluntary U.S. Standards for Grades
of Field Grown Leaf Lettuce using the procedures that appear in part 36
title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR part 36).
Background
AMS previously published a notice in the Federal Register (68 FR
68858), on December 10, 2003, soliciting comments on the possible
development of U.S. Standards for Grades of Field Grown Leaf Lettuce.
One comment was received from a fruit and vegetable trade association
with 3,000 members. The commenter surveyed its members and found that
there was no clear consensus to support development of the standards.
However, the commenter noted that many of its members were of the view
that it was important to establish new standards. Based on the comments
received and information gathered, AMS has developed proposed grade
standards for field grown leaf lettuce. This proposal would establish
the following grades, as well as a tolerance for each grade: U.S.
Fancy, U.S. No. 1 and U.S. No. 2. In addition, there are proposed
``Tolerances,'' ``Application of Tolerances'' and ``Size'' sections.
AMS is proposing to define ``Injury,'' ``Damage,'' and ``Serious
Damage,'' along with specific basic requirements and definitions for
defects. AMS is soliciting comments on the proposed U.S. Standards for
Grades of Field Grown Leaf Lettuce and the probable impact on growers,
processors, and distributors.
Production figures have shown a steady increase in the consumption
of field grown leaf lettuce over the past 10 years. Many members of the
Western Growers Association, a trade association that represents over
one half of the nation's fresh produce production, as well as the Fruit
and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee have expressed the need for
U.S. standards for field grown leaf lettuce, which would provide a
uniform basis for trading.
The adoption of these proposed standards would provide the field
grown leaf lettuce industry with U.S. grade standards similar to those
extensively in use by the fresh produce industry to assist in orderly
marketing of other commodities.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627.
Dated: March 18, 2005.
Kenneth C. Clayton,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 05-5813 Filed 3-23-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P