[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 175 (Monday, September 12, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-22405]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 12, 1994]


                                                   VOL. 59, NO. 175

                                         Monday, September 12, 1994

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 46

[Docket Number FV93-353]

 

Extend Coverage To Include Fresh and Frozen Fruits and Vegetables 
That Are Oil-Blanched, Including Frozen French Fried Potato Products; 
Reopening of Comment Period on Proposed Rule Perishable Agricultural 
Commodities Act (PACA)

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Reopening of Comment Period.

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SUMMARY: This document reopens the period for filing written comments 
on a proposed rule published on July 12, 1994, that would extend PACA 
coverage to include fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables that are 
oil-blanched, including frozen french fried potato products.

DATES: Comments must be received by October 12, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments 
concerning this reopened action. Comments should be addressed to USDA, 
AMS, F&V Division, PACA Branch, Room 2095-S. Building, P.O. Box 96456, 
14th & Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20090-6456.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: J.R. Frazier, Assistant Chief, PACA 
Branch, Room 2095-So., Fruit and Vegetable Division, Agricultural 
Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 
20250, Phone (202) 720-4180, FAX (202) 690-4413.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed rule was published in the July 
12, 1994 issue of the Federal Register (59 FR 35487). The proposed rule 
would amend the definition of fresh fruit and vegetables set forth in 7 
CFR 46.2(u) of the Regulations issued pursuant to the Perishable 
Agricultural Commodities Act (7 U.S.C. 499o). This document extends 
PACA coverage to include frozen fruits and vegetables that are oil-
blanched, especially frozen french fried potato products. Under 
previous regulations, suppliers of these commodities suffered 
considerable financial losses because oil-blanched products were 
excluded from the PACA. Reopening the comment period grants dealers in 
frozen oil-blanched products the same rights afforded dealers whose 
frozen product is water blanched.
    On August 10, 1994, the Agency received a request from the Food 
Marketing Institute, International Foodservice Distributors 
Association, National-American Wholesale Grocers Association, National 
Council of Chain Restaurants, National Grocers Association, and the 
National Restaurant Association requesting a 90-day extension of the 
comment period. The request stated they needed additional time to 
develop their comments.
    The Department has determined that a 30-day extension of the 
comment period will provide adequate time for interested persons to 
respond to this proposed rule. Accordingly, the comment period is 
reopened to October 12, 1994.

    Dated: September 6, 1994.
Robert C. Keeney,
Director, Fruit and Vegetable Division.
[FR Doc. 94-22405 Filed 9-9-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P