[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 237 (Wednesday, December 10, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 68858]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-30603]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket Number FV-04-303]


United States Standards for Grades of Field Grown Leaf Lettuce

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), prior to undertaking 
research and other work associated with creating an official grade 
standard, is soliciting comments on the petition to create the United 
States Standards for Grades of Field Grown Leaf Lettuce. At a recent 
meeting of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee, AMS was 
asked to review all the fresh fruit and vegetable grade standards for 
usefulness in serving the industry and identify commodities that may be 
better served if a grade standard was developed. As a result, AMS has 
noted that the industry is interested in the creation of standards for 
field grown leaf lettuce.

DATES: Comments must be received by February 9, 2004.

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 
[email protected]. 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David L. Priester, at the above 
address or call (202) 720-2185, e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: At a recent meeting of the Fruit and 
Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee, AMS was asked to review all the 
fresh fruit and vegetable grade standards for usefulness in serving the 
industry and to identify commodities that may be better served if a 
grade standard was developed. AMS has identified field grown leaf 
lettuce as a possible commodity for development of United States 
Standards for Grades of Field Grown Leaf Lettuce. Currently, there are 
U.S. Standards for Grades of Greenhouse Leaf Lettuce, but no standards 
for leaf lettuce grown in open fields. When requested to inspect field 
grown leaf lettuce, the greenhouse leaf lettuce standards may be used 
as a reference, but cannot be used for grade determination.
    A new standard for leaf lettuce grown in open fields could contain 
sections pertaining to grades, tolerances, application of tolerances, 
pack requirements, definitions, and other relevant and necessary 
provisions. Prior to undertaking detailed work to develop the proposed 
standards for field grown leaf lettuce, AMS is soliciting comments on 
the possible development of the standards for grades of field green 
leaf lettuce and the probable impact on distributors, processors, and 
growers.
    This notice provides for a 60-day comment period for interested 
parties to comment on the development of the standards. Should AMS 
conclude that there is a need for the development of the standards, the 
proposed standards will be published in the Federal Register with a 
request for comments in accordance with 7 CFR part 36.

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

    Dated: December 4, 2003.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 03-30603 Filed 12-9-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P