[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 53 (Monday, March 21, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 13446]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-5502]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration


United States Standards for Beans

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration 
(GIPSA) is removing the special grade designation ``off-color'' from 
the United States Standards for Beans. GIPSA will continue to offer 
assessments for color uniformity on a request basis. This action will 
facilitate the marketing of beans from many different regions.

EFFECTIVE DATE: April 20, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Giler, Deputy Director, Field 
Management Division, USDA, GIPSA, Room 2429-S, Stop 3632, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-3632, telephone (202) 
720-0252; or e-mail to: [email protected].
    The final United States Standards for Beans will be available 
through the address cited above or by accessing the GIPSA Home Page on 
the Internet at http://www.usda.gov/gipsa/reference-library/standards/standards.htm.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 203(c) of the Agricultural Marketing 
Act of 1946, 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''. GIPSA is committed to carrying out this 
authority in a manner that facilitates the marketing of agricultural 
commodities.
    The United States Standards for Beans do not appear in the Code of 
Federal Regulations but are maintained by the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture.
    On December 17, 2004, GIPSA published a notice in the Federal 
Register, (69 FR 75504) requesting comments on removing ``off-color'' 
from the United States Standards for Beans. GIPSA proposed to change 
the United States Standards for Beans using the procedures that appear 
at 7 CFR Section 868.102. GIPSA representatives worked closely with the 
National Dry Bean Council (NDBC) and others in the bean industry to 
examine the effectiveness of the U.S. Standards for Beans in today's 
marketing environment. Through discussions, it appeared that the 
current standards continue to meet consumer/processor needs. However, 
the bean industry has indicated the special grade ``off-color'' in dry 
beans is not needed to market dry beans.
    GIPSA received one comment from a bean industry association 
supporting the removal of ``off-color'' from the standards. 
Accordingly, GIPSA is removing the special grade designation ``off-
color'' from the United States Standards for Beans. GIPSA will continue 
to offer assessments for color uniformity on a request only basis. This 
action will facilitate the marketing of beans from many different 
regions.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.

David R. Shipman,
Acting Administrator, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 05-5502 Filed 3-18-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-EN-P