[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 172 (Wednesday, September 7, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53148-53149]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-17708]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket Number FV-05-301]


United States Standards for Grades of Strawberries

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) is soliciting comments on its proposal to revise the 
United States Standards for Grades of Strawberries. Based on a request 
from the California Strawberry Commission (CSC), AMS is proposing to 
modify the standards to allow that percentages be determined by count 
rather than volume. The proposed revision will make tolerance 
determination more objective and uniform.

DATES: Comments must be received by November 7, 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 Strawberries 
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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheri L Emery, at the above address or 
call (202) 720-2185, E-mail [email protected].

[[Page 53149]]


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 USDA/AMS/Fruit and Vegetable 
Programs.
    AMS is proposing to revise the voluntary United States Standards 
for Grades of Strawberries using procedures that appear in part 36, 
title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR part 36). These 
standards were last revised in 1965.

Background

    AMS received a request from the CSC requesting a revision to the 
United States Standards for Grades of Strawberries to allow that 
percentages be determined by count rather than volume.
    Prior to undertaking research and other work associated with a 
revision of the grade standards, AMS decided to seek public comments on 
the request. On March 11, 2005, AMS published a notice in the Federal 
Register (70 FR 12175) soliciting comments on a possible revision to 
the United States Standards for Grades of Strawberries.
    In response to our request for comments, AMS received five comments 
from industry groups. Four comments were in favor of the revision to 
the standard and one comment was opposed. The comments are available by 
accessing AMS's Home Page on the Internet at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/fpbdocketlist.htm.
    The one comment opposing the revision stated, ``To change to a 
count-based system would treat berries of varying sizes equally. This 
may be more expeditious, but from our perspective reduces the relevance 
and effectiveness of USDA inspections.'' By changing to a count basis 
each berry will represent the same percentage of the container 
regardless of the size of the berry. Currently, each inspector must 
determine the volume of each berry in relation to the container based 
on a visual estimation. Modifying the standards to allow that 
percentages be determined by count will provide more objectivity to an 
inspection.
    AMS received four comments in favor of the revision. Those in favor 
of the revision stated the proposed rule change follows changing 
industry practices and market demand by replacing a subjective volume 
determination, with a more preferred and easily understood objective 
measurement.
    AMS believes the proposed revision to allow percentages to be 
determined by count rather than volume would establish a clear uniform 
procedure for determining the percentages. Additionally, AMS is 
proposing to eliminate the unclassified category. This section is being 
removed in all standards, when they are revised. This category is not a 
grade and only serves to show that no grade has been applied to the 
lot. It is no longer considered necessary.
    The official grade of a lot of strawberries covered by these 
standards is determined by the procedures set forth in the Regulations 
Governing Inspection, Certification, and Standards of Fresh Fruits, 
Vegetables and Other Products (Sec. 51.1 to 51.61).
    This notice provides a 60-day comment period for interested parties 
to comment on changes to the standard.

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

    Dated: September 1, 2005.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 05-17708 Filed 9-6-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P