[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 231 (Friday, December 2, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72287-72288]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-6781]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. CN-06-002]


Recommendations of Advisory Committee on Universal Cotton 
Standards

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) held a meeting of the 
Universal Cotton Standards Advisory Committee in Memphis, Tennessee on 
June 9 and 10, 2005. This notice announces the Advisory Committee's 
recommendation to expand the Universal Cotton Standards Agreement to 
include Universal HVI Cotton Color Standards and to recognize the color 
tolerance for Rd and +b as defined by USDA Guidelines for HVI Testing. 
These guidelines can be obtained on the Internet from the USDA, AMS, 
Cotton Program's Web site at http://www.ams.usda.gov/cotton/cnpubs.htm.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 31, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments 
concerning the Advisory Committee's recommendation to Darryl W. 
Earnest, Deputy Administrator, Cotton Program, Agricultural Marketing 
Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., STOP 0224, Washington, DC 
20250-0224. Comments should be submitted in triplicate. Comments may 
also be submitted electronically to: [email protected] or http://www.regulations.gov. All comments should reference the docket number 
and the date and page number of this issue of the Federal Register. All 
comments received will be made available for public inspection at the 
Cotton Program, AMS, USDA, Room 2641-S, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., 
Washington, DC 20250 during regular business hours. A copy of this 
notice may be found at: www.ams.usda.gov/cotton/rulemaking.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Darryl W. Earnest, Deputy 
Administrator, Cotton Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., 
STOP 0224, Washington, DC 20250-0224, telephone 202-720-3193, facsimile 
202-690-1718, or e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Universal Cotton Standards Advisory 
Committee meets triennially to consider any necessary changes to the 
Universal Cotton Standards and to review freshly prepared sets of 
Universal Cotton Standards for conformity with the existing standards.
    At its June 9-10, 2005, meeting the committee recommended to expand 
the Universal Cotton Standards Agreement to include Universal HVI 
Cotton Color Standards and to recognize the color tolerance for RD and 
+b as defined by USDA Guidelines for HVI Testing. These guidelines can 
be obtained on the Internet at http://www.ams.usda.gov/cotton/cnpubs.htm.
    High Volume Instrument (HVI) Classing of cotton has been available 
on an optional basis since 1980. Since 1991, HVI classification has 
been provided on all cotton classed by USDA along with the classer 
color grade and

[[Page 72288]]

leaf grade, which conform to the Universal Grade Standards. HVI systems 
provide the most scientific and reliable sources of cotton quality 
information available. The advisory committee includes representatives 
of all segments of the U.S. cotton industry and the 23 overseas cotton 
associations that are signatories to the Universal Cotton Standards 
Agreement. Adoption of this recommendation will continue to facilitate 
establishing a universal language for the marketing of U.S. cotton 
under the HVI classification system.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 51-65.

    Dated: November 28, 2005.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
 [FR Doc. E5-6781 Filed 12-1-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P