[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 47 (Friday, March 11, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 12172]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-4810]


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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; withdrawal.

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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is withdrawing the 
notice soliciting comments on its proposal to amend the voluntary 
United States Standards for Grades of Cucumbers. After reviewing and 
considering the comments received, the Agency has decided not to 
proceed with this action.

EFFECTIVE DATE: March 11, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Priester, Standardization 
Section, Fresh Products Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, 
Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., Room 1661 South Building, STOP 0240, 
Washington, DC 20250-0240, Fax (202) 720-8871 or call (202) 720-2185; 
e-mail [email protected]. 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.

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 had 
identified the United States Standards for Grades of Cucumbers for a 
possible revision. The United States Standards for Grades of Cucumbers 
were last amended March 1, 1958.
    On June 25, 2004, a notice requesting comments on the possible 
revision of the standards by incorporating industry terms as well as 
other changes was published in the Federal Register (69 FR 35572) with 
the comment period ending August 24, 2004.
    Three comments were received during the official period for 
comment. One comment from a consumer did not support revising the 
standard. One comment from an industry member supported the inclusion 
of industry terms. The commenter stated, ``I feel we should have two 
categories for Super Selects: 1 criteria being a 66-76 count 
and a 2 criteria being a 56-65 count.'' However, another 
industry member commented, ``That the terms Super Select, Select, 
Small, Large and Plain are commonly used by the industry to convey the 
desired size, quality and condition of cucumbers but that the criteria 
for these terms are not consistently defined. This commenter noted that 
the meaning is often interpreted differently by various trading 
partners.'' This industry member further stated, ``* * * that wholesale 
receivers and the greater produce industry would be better served if 
current trading practices were supported by a system of U.S. grade 
standards that establish reasonable parameters for size, consistency of 
size within packs and provide more meaningful definitions for quality 
and condition.'' However, the commenter did not include those 
definitions.
    While some members of the industry agree that a consistency of size 
and specific count ranges would promote orderly marketing, different 
segments within the industry are divided over the meanings of industry 
terms. In view of the lack of any substantial consensus as to whether 
the proposed inclusion of industry terms would meet the needs of the 
entire industry, the notice is being withdrawn. The withdrawal of this 
notice will provide industry representatives with an opportunity for 
further discussions in the areas of mutual concern.
    After reviewing and considering the comments received, the Agency 
has decided not to proceed with the action. Therefore, the notice 
published June 25, 2004 (69 FR 35572), is withdrawn.

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

    Dated: March 7, 2005.
Kenneth C. Clayton,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 05-4810 Filed 3-10-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P