[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 193 (Thursday, October 6, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 58370]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-20091]


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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. 193 / Thursday, October 6, 2005 / 
Notices  

[[Page 58370]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket Number FV-05-304]


United States Standards for Grades of Fresh Asparagus

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 Fresh Asparagus. At a 2003 
meeting of 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 noted the 
current U.S. Grade standards do not have provisions for grading purple 
or white asparagus. The proposed revision will allow purple or white 
asparagus to be certified to a U.S. grade.

DATES: Comments must be received by December 5, 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 the issue of the Federal Register and will be made 
available for public inspection in the above office during regular 
business hours. The current United States Standards for Grades of Fresh 
Asparagus, along with the proposed changes, will be available either 
through the address cited above or by accessing the AMS Home Page on 
the Web 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, quality, 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 Fresh 
Asparagus using the procedures that appear in part 36, title 7 of the 
Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR part 36).

Background

    At a meeting of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry 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 the 
U.S. Standards for Grades of Fresh Asparagus color requirement for 
possible updating. The color requirement only provides for the grading 
of green color asparagus and not purple or white asparagus.
    Prior to undertaking research and other work associated with a 
revision of the grade, AMS published a notice on March 29, 2005 in the 
Federal Register (70 FR 59) soliciting comments on the possible 
revision of the United States Standards for Grades of Fresh Asparagus.
    In response to the request for comments, AMS received three 
comments on the proposed revision. One comment was from an industry 
group supporting the proposal. The second comment was from a private 
individual that did not support the revision and was generally opposed 
to a federal grade standard. And the third comment was from another 
industry group supporting the development of standards for white and 
purple asparagus. However, the commenter believes that separate 
standards are needed, noting that any change to the current standards 
would compromise the fresh green asparagus marketing standards. We 
disagree that separate standards for white and purple asparagus are 
necessary and no change to the current green asparagus requirements are 
anticipated. The comments are available by accessing AMS's Home Page on 
the Internet at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/fvfpbdocketlist.htm.
    AMS believes that a revision to include purple and white 
requirements in the color section of the standards is warranted to 
facilitate the marketing of purple and white asparagus and improve the 
usefulness of the standards in better serving the industry.
    Additionally, AMS is eliminating 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 a lot or shipment.
    The official grade of a lot or shipment of fresh asparagus covered 
by the 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 standards.

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

    Dated: October 3, 2005.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 05-20091 Filed 10-5-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P