[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 119 (Wednesday, June 22, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 36112]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-12256]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket Number FV-05-302]


United States Standards for Grades of Snap Beans

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 Snap Beans. After reviewing and 
considering the comments received, the Agency has decided not to 
proceed with this action.

DATES: Effective Date: June 22, 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 Snap Beans 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 their usefulness in serving the industry. AMS had 
identified the United States Standards for Grades of Snap Beans for a 
possible revision. The United States Standards for Grades of Snap Beans 
were last amended July 5, 1990.
    On March 11, 2005, a notice requesting comments on the possible 
revision of the standards by allowing percentages to be determined by 
count and not weight as well as other changes was published in the 
Federal Register (70 FR 12175) with the comment period ending May 10, 
2005.
    Three comments were received during the official period for 
comment. One comment from an industry member supported the proposed 
revision. Two comments from industry groups did not support revising 
the standard. Both of the comments not supporting the revision noted 
concerns over the accuracy or representative nature of a count-based 
inspection. The industry groups also noted that size variation of the 
individual bean as well as foreign material or debris in the sample 
could affect the inspection in a different manner if inspected on a 
count and not a weight basis. In view of the concerns from the 
industry, the proposed changes are not warranted at this time, thus the 
notice is being withdrawn. This withdrawal will provide industry 
representatives with an opportunity for further discussions in the 
areas of concern.
    After reviewing and considering the comments received, the Agency 
has decided not to proceed with the action. Therefore, the notice 
published March 11, 2005, (70 FR 12172) is withdrawn.

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

    Dated: June 16, 2005.
Kenneth C. Clayton,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 05-12256 Filed 6-21-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P