[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 209 (Friday, October 29, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63133-63134]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-24162]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. FV-04-306]


United States Standards for Grades of Watermelons

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), of the Department of 
Agriculture is soliciting comments on the proposal to revise the United 
States Standards for Grades of Watermelons. AMS has received a petition 
from the National Watermelon Association (NWA), requesting a definition 
for seedless watermelons be added to the standards. Additionally, the 
petition included a request to add a variance to the size requirements. 
This change was requested by the industry in order to bring the 
standards for watermelons in line with current marketing practices, 
thereby, improving the usefulness of the standards in serving the 
industry.

DATES: Comments must be received by December 28, 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. The United States Standards for Grades of Watermelons 
is available either through the address cited above or by accessing the 
AMS Home Page on the Web at http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/fvstand.htm.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 203(c) of the Agricultural Marketing 
Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621-1627), 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 not connected with Federal Marketing Orders or 
U.S. Import Requirements, no longer appear in the Code of Federal 
Regulations, but are maintained by USDA/AMS/Fruit and Vegetable 
Programs.
    AMS is proposing to revise the voluntary United States Standards 
for Grades of Watermelons using procedures that appear in part 36 Title 
7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR part 36). These standards 
were last revised in 1978.

Background

    AMS received a petition from the NWA requesting a revision to the 
United States Standards for Grades of Watermelons. The standards are 
established under the authority of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 
1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621-1627). The petitioner represents watermelon growers 
and distributors from 30 states as well as Canada and Mexico.
    The petitioner is requesting that USDA add the following 
definition: ``Seedless Watermelons'' are watermelons which have 16 or 
less mature seeds, not to include pips/caplets, on the face of the 
melon which

[[Page 63134]]

has been cut into four equal sections (one lengthwise cut and one 
crosswise cut). Additionally, the petitioner is requesting the size 
requirements be revised. Currently the size requirements state, ``When 
the size of the watermelons is stated in terms of average weight, 
unless otherwise specified, the melons in any lot averaging less than 
30 pounds (13.6 kgs.) shall not vary more than 3 pounds (1.4 kgs.) 
below the stated average, and the melons in any lot averaging 30 pounds 
(13.6 kgs.) or more shall not vary more than 5 pounds (2.3 kgs.) below 
the stated average.'' The petitioner is requesting the size 
requirements be revised to allow for watermelons to vary 3 pounds above 
or below the average. Therefore, the size requirements would state, 
``When the size of the watermelons is stated in terms of average 
weight, unless otherwise specified, the melons in any lot averaging 
less than 30 pounds (13.6 kgs.) shall not vary more than 3 pounds (1.4 
kgs.) above or below the stated average, and the melons in any lot 
averaging 30 pounds (13.6 kgs.) or more shall not vary more than 5 
pounds (2.3 kgs.) below the stated average.''
    Prior to undertaking research and other work associated with 
revision of the grade standards, AMS decided to seek public comments on 
the petition. A notice requesting comments on the petition to revise 
the United States Standards for Grades of Watermelons was published in 
the April 22, 2004, Federal Register (69 FR 21812).
    In response to our request for comments, AMS received one comment 
from an industry group. The comment was in favor of the proposed 
revision of the standards.
    Based on the submitted information, AMS is proposing to revise the 
standards for watermelons following the standard format for U.S. Grade 
Standards. Specifically, the proposed revision will define seedless 
watermelons by including the following definition: ``Seedless 
Watermelons'' are watermelons which have 16 or less mature seeds, not 
to include pips/caplets, on the face of the melon which has been cut 
into four equal sections (one lengthwise cut and one crosswise cut). 
AMS is also proposing to change the size requirements by adding an 
allowance for watermelons to vary 3 pounds above or below the stated 
average weight.
    This proposal will bring the standards for watermelons in line with 
current marketing practices, thereby, improving the usefulness of the 
standards in serving the industry. The official grade of a lot of 
watermelons covered by these standards will be determined by the 
procedures set forth in the Regulations Governing Inspection, 
Certification, and Standards of Fresh Fruits, Vegetables and Other 
Products (Sec. Sec.  51.1 to 51.61).
    This notice provides for a 60-day comment period for interested 
parties to comment on changes to the standards.

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

    Dated: October 25, 2004.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 04-24162 Filed 10-28-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P