[Federal Register: April 21, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 76)]
[Notices]
[Page 20730]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21ap05-18]
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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 20730]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket Number FV-05-303]
United States Standards for Grades of Bunched Italian Sprouting
Broccoli
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), prior to undertaking
research and other work associated with revising official grade
standards, is soliciting comments on the possible revisions to the
United States Standards for Grades of Bunched Italian Sprouting
Broccoli. 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. As a
result, AMS has identified broccoli crowns and florets for possible
inclusion into the standards. Additionally, AMS is seeking comments
regarding any other revisions of the broccoli grade standards that may
be necessary to better serve the industry.
DATES: Comments must be received by June 20, 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 Bunched
Italian Sprouting Broccoli is available either at the above address or
by accessing the Fresh Products Branch Website at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/standards/stanfrfv.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 not connected with Federal Marketing Orders or
U.S. Import Requirements, no longer appear in the Code of Federal
Regulations, but are maintained by the USDA/AMS/Fruit and Vegetable
Programs.
AMS is proposing to revise the U.S. Standards for Grades of Bunched
Italian Sprouting Broccoli 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 1943.
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 has
identified the United States Standards for Grades of Bunched Italian
Sprouting Broccoli for a possible revision. As a result, AMS has
identified the currently marketed forms of Italian Sprouting Broccoli
crowns and florets for possible inclusion into the standards. These
terms are used by the industry in the marketing of broccoli in which
the main stem is cut back considerably or in the case of florets where
only a single smaller secondary stem remains with the large main stem
removed. The new terms will be defined and sizes for the terms
standardized and included in the U.S. standards. The title of the
standard would be modified by deleting ``Bunched,'' to make the
standards generic to cover crowns and florets. Additionally, references
to the word ``bunched'' would be removed from the current sections of
U.S. grades to the section pertaining to size specifications. The
section entitled ``Unclassified'' would also be removed from the
standards to help eliminate confusion concerned with this designation.
However, prior to undertaking detailed work to develop proposed
revisions to the standards, AMS is soliciting comments on the possible
revision to the standards and the probable impact on distributors,
processors, and growers. Additionally, AMS is seeking comments
regarding any other revisions that may be necessary to better serve the
industry.
This notice provides for a 60-day comment period for interested
parties to comment on changes to the standards. Should AMS conclude
that there is a need for the revisions of the standards, the proposed
revisions 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: April 15, 2005.
Kenneth C. Clayton,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 05-8025 Filed 4-20-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P