[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 231 (Tuesday, December 2, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 63696]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-31564]



[[Page 63696]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration


United States Standards for Whole Dry Peas, Split Peas, and 
Lentils

AGENCY: Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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    The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) 
is revising the voluntary United States Standards for Whole Dry Peas, 
Split Peas, and Lentils by eliminating the classes Persian and Mixed 
lentils and establishing a new class, Miscellaneous peas, and a new 
grading factor for lentils, Inconspicuous Admixture. GIPSA is changing 
these standards to facilitate the marketing of peas and lentils.
    Section 203(c) of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, 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. . . .'' 
The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) 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 Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) 
published a notice in the Federal Register on August 15, 1997 (62 FR 
43695), that it was proposing to eliminate the classes Persian and 
Mixed lentils, and to establish a new class, Miscellaneous peas, and a 
new grading factor for lentils, Inconspicuous Admixture.
    GIPSA received no comments in response to that notice.
    Since these changes to the standards were recommended and reviewed 
by the affected trade and are consistent with current practices in the 
trade, they will become effective on August 1, 1998, the beginning of 
the next marketing season.
    The United States Standards for Whole Dry Peas, Split Peas, and 
Lentils do not appear in the Code of Federal Regulations but are 
maintained by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The revised United 
States Standards for Whole Dry Peas, Split Peas, and Lentils are 
available either by accessing GIPSA's Home Page on the Internet at: 
www.usda.gov/gipsa/strulreg/standard/beans or by contacting the 
Audiovisual, Regulatory and Training Staff, GIPSA, USDA, STOP 3649, 
1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-3649; telephone 
(202) 720-1734; FAX (202) 720-4628.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.

    Dated: November 25, 1997.
James R. Baker,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 97-31564 Filed 12-1-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-EN-P