[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 242 (Wednesday, December 17, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 70201]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-31092]



[[Page 70201]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration

7 CFR Part 810


Request for Public Comment on the United States Standards for 
Sorghum

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

ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration 
(GIPSA) is initiating a review of the United States Standards for 
Sorghum. GIPSA invites comments and suggested changes to these 
standards.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 17, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Written comments must be submitted to Tess Butler at GIPSA, 
USDA, STOP 3604, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-
3604; faxed to (202) 690-2755; or e-mailed to [email protected]. 
Please indicate your comment refers to United States Standards for 
Sorghum.
    All comments received are available for public inspection at Room 
1652, South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC, 
during regular business hours (7 CFR 1.27 (b)).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marianne Plaus, telephone (202) 690-
3460 at GIPSA, USDA, Room 2409 North/South Building, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-3630; Fax Number (202) 720-1015.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 14, 1998, GIPSA published an 
Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register (63 FR 
43641) requesting views and comments on the sorghum standards. Based on 
comments received, GIPSA determined that the U.S. Standards for Sorghum 
were meeting the needs of producers, shippers, and others who handle 
and market sorghum and that no changes were needed at that time.
    Recently, the National Grain Sorghum Producers (NGSP), an 
association representing U.S. grain sorghum farmers nationwide, has 
requested that GIPSA initiate a review of the sorghum standards. NGSP 
would welcome the opportunity to clarify several definitions in the 
current standards to more accurately reflect advancements in sorghum 
genetics and better reflect what is relevant to deriving value in the 
marketplace. GIPSA is seeking all comments that will assist the Agency 
in making the standards more relevant in the contemporary market. 
Accordingly, GIPSA is initiating a review of the United States 
Standards for Sorghum in Subpart I of 7 CFR part 810 at Sec. Sec.  
810.1401-810.1405.
    During this review, GIPSA will assess the need for revisions on the 
various sections of the United States Standards for Sorghum, the 
potential for improvements, and language clarity.
    GIPSA invites any comments and suggestions concerning these 
standards, and the benefits and costs of any changes including, but not 
limited to, those addressing sorghum classification, definitions, and 
grade limits.

    Authority: Pub. L. 94-582, 90 Stat. 2867, as amended (7 U.S.C. 
71, et seq.)

Donna Reifschneider,
Administrator, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration.
[FR Doc. 03-31092 Filed 12-16-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-EN-P