[Federal Register: November 2, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 212)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 64478]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02no06-13]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
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This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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[[Page 64478]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
7 CFR Part 51
[Docket Number FV-06-313]
United States Standards for Grades of Winter Pears
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking.
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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 of the
United States Standards for Grades of Winter Pears. AMS has been
reviewing the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable grade standards for usefulness
in serving the industry. As a result AMS is considering revisions to
the winter pear standard to include removing the section 51.1309,
Condition after storage or transit. This section has caused confusion
within the industry in the past due to different procedures incurred
when reporting inspection findings in comparison to other grade
standards. Additionally, AMS is seeking comments regarding any other
revisions to the standards that may be necessary to better serve the
industry.
DATES: Comments must be received by January 2, 2007.
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 Winter Pears
are available either at the above address or by accessing the AMS,
Fresh Products Branch Web site at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/standards/stanfrfv.htm
.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheri L. Emery, at the above address
or call (202) 720-2185; E-mail Cheri.Emery@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. AMS makes copies of official standards
available upon request.
AMS is considering revisions to the United States Standards for
Grades of Winter Pears. These standards were last published on
September 10, 1955.
Executive Order 12866
The Office of Management and Budget has waived the review process
required by Executive Order 12866 for this action.
Background
AMS has been reviewing the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable grade
standards for usefulness in serving the industry. AMS is considering a
revision to the United States Standards for Grades of Winter Pears. The
revision would eliminate the section 51.1309, Condition after storage
or transit, which states that ``decay, scald or other deterioration
which may have developed on pears after they have been in storage or
transit shall be considered as affecting condition and not the grade.''
Due to this requirement, pears may fail to meet the requirements of the
grade the pears would be reported as ``meets grade.'' For example: a
lot of pears that fail to meet the requirements of the U.S. No. 1 grade
due to exceeding the decay tolerance would be reported as ``U.S. No. 1
with decay being a factor of condition.'' This has caused confusion
within the industry as generally when a product exceeds a tolerance for
grade it is reported as ``fails to grade.'' Removing this section will
eliminate any confusion in the future and bring the winter pear
standard in line with other standards. However, prior to undertaking
detailed work to develop the proposed revision to the standards, AMS is
soliciting comments on these changes as well as any other revisions to
the United States Standards for Grades of Winter Pears to better serve
the industry.
This notice provides for a 60-day comment period for interested
parties to comment on whether any changes are necessary to the
standards. Should AMS conclude that there is a need for any revisions
of the standards, the proposed revisions will be published in the
Federal Register with a request for comments.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627.
Dated: October 27, 2006.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. E6-18504 Filed 11-1-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P