[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 56 (Thursday, March 24, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 15065]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-5813]


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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. 70, No. 56 / Thursday, March 24, 2005 / 
Notices  

[[Page 15065]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. FV-04-303]


United States Standards for Grades of Field Grown Leaf Lettuce

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 (USDA) is soliciting comments on its proposal to create a 
new voluntary U.S. Standard for Grades of Field Grown Leaf Lettuce. 
This action is being taken at the request of the Fruit and Vegetable 
Industry Advisory Committee, which asked AMS to identify commodities 
that needed grade standards developed to facilitate commerce. The 
proposed standards would provide industry with a common language and 
uniform basis for trading, thus promoting the orderly and efficient 
marketing of field grown leaf lettuce.

DATES: Comments must be received by May 23, 2005.

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 proposed U.S. Standards for Grades of Field Grown Leaf Lettuce 
are available either from the above address or the Fresh Products 
Branch Federal Register notices page at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/fpbdocketlist.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 that are not requirements of 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 establish voluntary U.S. Standards for Grades 
of Field Grown Leaf Lettuce using the procedures that appear in part 36 
title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR part 36).

Background

    AMS previously published a notice in the Federal Register (68 FR 
68858), on December 10, 2003, soliciting comments on the possible 
development of U.S. Standards for Grades of Field Grown Leaf Lettuce. 
One comment was received from a fruit and vegetable trade association 
with 3,000 members. The commenter surveyed its members and found that 
there was no clear consensus to support development of the standards. 
However, the commenter noted that many of its members were of the view 
that it was important to establish new standards. Based on the comments 
received and information gathered, AMS has developed proposed grade 
standards for field grown leaf lettuce. This proposal would establish 
the following grades, as well as a tolerance for each grade: U.S. 
Fancy, U.S. No. 1 and U.S. No. 2. In addition, there are proposed 
``Tolerances,'' ``Application of Tolerances'' and ``Size'' sections. 
AMS is proposing to define ``Injury,'' ``Damage,'' and ``Serious 
Damage,'' along with specific basic requirements and definitions for 
defects. AMS is soliciting comments on the proposed U.S. Standards for 
Grades of Field Grown Leaf Lettuce and the probable impact on growers, 
processors, and distributors.
    Production figures have shown a steady increase in the consumption 
of field grown leaf lettuce over the past 10 years. Many members of the 
Western Growers Association, a trade association that represents over 
one half of the nation's fresh produce production, as well as the Fruit 
and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee have expressed the need for 
U.S. standards for field grown leaf lettuce, which would provide a 
uniform basis for trading.
    The adoption of these proposed standards would provide the field 
grown leaf lettuce industry with U.S. grade standards similar to those 
extensively in use by the fresh produce industry to assist in orderly 
marketing of other commodities.

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

    Dated: March 18, 2005.
Kenneth C. Clayton,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 05-5813 Filed 3-23-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P