[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 225 (Wednesday, November 21, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58431-58432]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-29112]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[FV-02-333]


United States Standards for Grades of Dried Figs

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) is revising the United States Standards for Grades 
of Dried Figs. The revision will eliminate the present Grade ``A'' 
quality level and change the present Grade ``B'' quality level to the 
new Grade ``A''. This proposal elevates the present Grade ``C'' quality 
level to a new Grade ``B'' level thus eliminating the Grade ``C'' 
designation from the United States Standards for Grades of Dried Figs. 
The existing grade level ``Substandard'' would remain the same. These 
changes have been requested by the industry in order to bring the 
standards for dried figs in line with the present quality levels being 
marketed today and provide guidance in the effective utilization of 
dried figs.

EFFECTIVE DATE: December 21, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lydia E. Berry, Processed Products 
Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, 
U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 0247,1400 Independence Avenue SW., 
Washington, DC 20250-0247; fax (202) 690-1087; or e-mail 
[email protected]. The current United States Standards for Dried 
Figs, along with the changes, are available either through the address 
cited above or by accessing the AMS Home Page on the Internet at: 
www.ams.usda.gov/standards/dried.htm
    The comments from the proposed notice and the final notice will be 
made available on the internet at: www.ams.usda.gov/fv/ppb.html
    The U. S. Standards for Dried Figs do not appear in the Code of 
Federal Regulations.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 * * *'' 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 no longer appear in the Code of Federal Regulations but are 
maintained by USDA, AMS, Fruit and Vegetable Programs. AMS is revising 
the U. S. Standards for Grades of Dried Figs using the procedures that 
appear in part 36 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR 
Part 36).

Proposed by the Petitioner

    AMS received a petition from the California Fig Advisory Board 
requesting the USDA to revise the United States Standards for Grades of 
Dried Figs. The Board specifically requested that the present grade 
``A'' be eliminated, and that the present grade ``B'' be elevated to a 
new grade ``A'', the current grade ``C'' be elevated to a new grade 
``B'' and the level of grade ``C'' be eliminated in the new standard. 
The Board also provided information on

[[Page 58432]]

style, sample size, and descriptions to AMS to revise the standard. The 
petition was derived from a consensus of the dried fig industry.

Proposed by Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS

    A notice proposing changes to the United States Standards for Dried 
Figs based on the petition was published in the May 9, 2001, Federal 
Register (66 FR 23662). AMS received three comments in response to the 
notice. Responses were received from California Fig Advisory Board, and 
two growers. All responses were in favor of the revisions. One grower 
had requested some further changes to the standard that were not 
addressed in the original petition, including an additional increase in 
the moisture tolerance and the inclusion of an additional style. 
Therefore additional changes should be addressed in a new petition. 
Based on the submitted information and petition, AMS is revising the 
standard for dried figs following the standard format for U.S. Grade 
Standards.
    The grade of a sample unit of dried figs is ascertained by 
considering the factors of varietal characteristics, size, moisture, 
and flavor and odor which are not scored; the ratings for the factors 
of color, uniformity of size, defects, and maturity and development, 
which are scored; the total score; and the limiting rules which apply.
    Accordingly, this proposal would establish grade levels ``A'', 
``B'' and ``Substandard'' with corresponding score points assigned for 
each level. Tolerances for each quality factor for each grade level are 
established. These changes will bring the standard for dried figs in 
line with present quality levels being marketed today and provide 
guidance in the effective utilization of dried figs.
    AMS believes that revisions to the standard are needed to meet the 
needs of industry and that these changes will allow for a better 
marketing environment for all dried fig producers.
    This revision becomes effective 30 days after the date of 
publication of this notice in the Federal Register.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627.

    Dated: November 15, 2001.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 01-29112 Filed 11-20-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P