[Federal Register: November 2, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 212)]
[Notices]
[Page 64509]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02no06-23]
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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 64509]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket Number FV-06-301]
United States Standards for Grades of Mixed Commodities
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of
Agriculture (USDA) is establishing voluntary United States Standards
for Grades of Mixed Commodities. The standards will provide industry
with a common language and uniform basis for trading, thus promoting
the orderly and efficient marketing for fresh fruits and vegetables
that are mixed in a package.
DATES: Effective Date: December 4, 2006.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheri L. Emery, 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, (202) 720-2185, fax (202) 720-8871, or e-
mail Cheri.Emery@usda.gov.
The United States Standards for Grades of Mixed Commodities is
available either from the above address or by accessing the AMS, Fresh
Products Branch Web site at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/standards/stanfrfv.htm
.
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 establishing voluntary United States Standards for Grades of
Mixed Commodities 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 (71 FR
3816-3817), on January 24, 2006, soliciting comments on the proposed
voluntary United States Standards for Grades of Mixed Commodities. The
proposed standards contained the U.S. Mixed grade. In addition, there
were ``Sample Basis,'' ``Tolerances,'' and ``Application of
Tolerances'' sections. AMS also defined ``Mixed,'' ``Injury,''
``Damage,'' and ``Serious Damage.''
In response to the notice, a comment was received from an
individual asking `` * * * how would commodities with tolerances of
less than 10% be handled?'' The total tolerance in the United States
Standards for Grades of Mixed Commodities would be 10 percent.
Therefore, when commodities are being certified under the mixed
commodities standards the 10 percent tolerance would apply regardless
of the tolerances in the individual standards. Additionally, the
commenter asked, ``Can commodities under a Marketing Order (with less
than 10% tolerance, i.e. onions from Idaho and Eastern Oregon) be
packed under this standard?'' Marketing orders are issued under the
Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 (7 U.S.C. 601-608) and
commodities regulated under such orders must meet handling requirements
that may include tolerances that differ from the 10 percent tolerance
that appears in the mixed commodities standards. The voluntary mixed
commodities standards are issued under the Agricultural Marketing Act
of 1946 and the 10 percent total tolerance for such mixed commodities
would be applicable to grading and certification under this program.
Certification under the U.S. mixed commodities standard would not meet
the requirements of the marketing order program.
The adoption of the U.S. grade standards will provide the mixed
commodity 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.
The official grade of a lot of mixed commodities covered by these
standards will be determined by the procedures set forth in the
Regulations Governing Inspection, Certification, and Standards of Fresh
Fruits, Vegetables, and Other Products (Sec. 51.1 to 51.61).
The United States Standards for Grades of Mixed Commodities will be
effective 30 days after publication of this notice in the Federal
Register.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627.
Dated: October 27, 2006.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. E6-18514 Filed 11-1-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P