[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 76 (Thursday, April 21, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 20730]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-8025]


 ========================================================================
 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
 and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
 statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
 appearing in this section.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 76 / Thursday, April 21, 2005 / 
Notices  

[[Page 20730]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket Number FV-05-303]


United States Standards for Grades of Bunched Italian Sprouting 
Broccoli

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 Bunched Italian Sprouting 
Broccoli. 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 broccoli crowns and florets for possible 
inclusion into the standards. Additionally, AMS is seeking comments 
regarding any other revisions of the broccoli grade standards that may 
be necessary to better serve the industry.

DATES: Comments must be received by June 20, 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 United States Standards for Grades of Bunched 
Italian Sprouting Broccoli is available either at the above address or 
by accessing the Fresh Products Branch Website 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: 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 the USDA/AMS/Fruit and Vegetable 
Programs.
    AMS is proposing to revise the U.S. Standards for Grades of Bunched 
Italian Sprouting Broccoli using the procedures that appear in Part 36, 
Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR Part 36). These 
standards were last revised in 1943.

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 Bunched Italian 
Sprouting Broccoli for a possible revision. As a result, AMS has 
identified the currently marketed forms of Italian Sprouting Broccoli 
crowns and florets for possible inclusion into the standards. These 
terms are used by the industry in the marketing of broccoli in which 
the main stem is cut back considerably or in the case of florets where 
only a single smaller secondary stem remains with the large main stem 
removed. The new terms will be defined and sizes for the terms 
standardized and included in the U.S. standards. The title of the 
standard would be modified by deleting ``Bunched,'' to make the 
standards generic to cover crowns and florets. Additionally, references 
to the word ``bunched'' would be removed from the current sections of 
U.S. grades to the section pertaining to size specifications. The 
section entitled ``Unclassified'' would also be removed from the 
standards to help eliminate confusion concerned with this designation. 
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.
    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: April 15, 2005.
Kenneth C. Clayton,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 05-8025 Filed 4-20-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P