[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 122 (Friday, June 25, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 35572]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-14545]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 122 / Friday, June 25, 2004 / 
Notices  

[[Page 35572]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket Number FV-04-307]


United States Standards for Grades of Cucumbers

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 revising official grade 
standards, is soliciting comments on the possible revisions to the 
United States Standards for Grades of Cucumbers. At a 2003 meeting with 
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. As a result, AMS has identified industry terms 
such as Super Select, Select, Small, Large and Plain for possible 
inclusion into the standards. Additionally, AMS is seeking comments 
regarding any other revisions of the cucumber grade standards that may 
be necessary to better serve the industry.

DATES: Comments must be received by August 24, 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] or comments may be sent electronically to the 
Federal eRulemaking portal at http://www.regulations.gov. 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. The United States 
Standards for Grades of Cucumbers are available either through the 
address cited above or by accessing the Fresh Products Branch Web site 
at http://www.ams.usda.gov/standards/stanfrfv/htm.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    At a 2003 meeting with 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. AMS has 
identified the United States Standards for Grades of Cucumbers for a 
possible revision. These standards were last revised in 1958. As a 
result, AMS has identified industry terms such as Super Select, Select, 
Small, Large and Plain for possible inclusion into the standards. These 
terms are used by the industry in the marketing of cucumbers in a 
number of ways; some members of the industry use these terms to refer 
specifically to size of cucumbers in a container, while others use 
these terms as part of a grading system. Therefore, these terms would 
need to be standardized for inclusion into the U.S. standards. However, 
prior to undertaking detailed work to develop proposed revisions to the 
standards, AMS is soliciting comments on the possible revision to the 
standards and the probable impact on distributors, processors, and 
growers. Additionally, AMS is seeking comments regarding any other 
revisions that may be necessary to better serve the industry.
    Accordingly, AMS is soliciting comments on the possible revisions 
to the United States Standards for Grades of Cucumbers.
    This notice provides for a 60-day comment period for interested 
parties to comment on changes to the standards. Should AMS conclude 
that there is a need for the revisions of the standards, the proposed 
revisions 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: June 22, 2004.
Kenneth C. Clayton,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 04-14545 Filed 6-24-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P