[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 175 (Monday, September 12, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 53774]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-17947]



[[Page 53774]]

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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket Number FV-05-305]


United States Standards for Grades of Globe Artichokes

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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

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 Globe Artichokes. AMS is 
proposing to include a U.S. No. 1 Long Stem grade along with an 
undersize tolerance of 5 percent in the standards. The new grade will 
have the same requirements as the U.S. No. 1 except that the stems must 
be smoothly cut to a minimum length of at least 8 inches, unless 
specified to a longer length in connection with the grade. AMS is 
proposing to further define ``fairly compact'' to include a definition 
for ``slightly spread'' to mean, ``the outer scales may be slightly 
open, but the inner scales at the tip of the artichoke must be closely 
folded into the bud.'' The proposed revisions would bring the standards 
for globe artichokes in line with current marketing practices, thereby 
improving their usefulness in serving the industry.

DATES: Comments must be received by November 14, 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 Globe 
Artichokes is available either at the above address 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].

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 Globe Artichokes 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 1969.

Background

    Prior to undertaking research and other work associated with 
revision of the grade standards, AMS published a notice in the Federal 
Register (70 FR 21391) on April 26, 2005, soliciting comments on the 
possible revision to the United States Standards for Grades of Globe 
Artichokes.
    In response to our request for comments, AMS received one comment 
from an industry group. The comment was a request to revise the current 
standards to allow the standards to be used for ``long stem'' globe 
artichokes in addition to the traditional ``short stem'' globe 
artichokes. AMS is proposing to include a U.S. No. 1 Long Stem grade 
along with an undersize tolerance of 5 percent in the standards. The 
new grade will have the same requirements as the U.S. No. 1 except that 
the stems must be smoothly cut to a minimum length of at least 8 inches 
unless specified to a longer length in connection with the grade. The 
Agency has been asked to revise the standards to further define 
``fairly compact'' to include a definition for ``slightly spread.'' AMS 
is proposing ``slightly spread'' to mean, ``the outer scales may be 
slightly open, but the inner scales at the tip of the artichoke must be 
closely folded into the bud.'' The Agency has also been asked about the 
current guidelines for scoring ``frosted artichokes.'' The standards 
provide a definition for damage and serious damage based upon 
materially or seriously affecting the appearance, or the edible, or 
marketing quality of the globe artichoke. AMS believes that the current 
definitions for damage and serious damage within the scoring guide are 
sufficient for determining the extent of frost injury to the globe 
artichoke.
    This proposal will bring the standards for globe artichokes in line 
with current marketing practices, thereby improving their usefulness in 
serving the industry.
    The official grade of a lot of globe artichokes 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 (7 CFR 51.1 to 51.61).
    This notice provides for a 60-day comment period for interested 
parties to comment on changes to the standard.

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

    Dated: September 6, 2005.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 05-17947 Filed 9-9-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P