[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 15 (Tuesday, January 24, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 3816]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-785]


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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.

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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) is revising the United States Standards for Grades 
of Globe Artichokes. Specifically, AMS is revising the standards to add 
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 further defining ``fairly 
compact'' by including 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 
revisions would bring the standards for globe artichokes in line with 
current marketing practices, thereby improving their usefulness in 
serving the industry.

DATES: Effective Date: February 23, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheri L. Emery, 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 revised United States Standards for 
Grades of Globe Artichokes will be available either through the address 
cited above or by accessing the AMS, Fresh Products Branch Web site at: 
http://www.ams.usda.gov/standards/stanfrfv.htm.

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 revising 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).

Background

    Prior to undertaking work to develop a proposed revision to the 
standard, AMS published a notice on April 26, 2005, in the Federal 
Register (70 FR 21391) soliciting comments on a possible revision to 
the United States Standards for Grades of Globe Artichokes. After 
receiving comments, a second notice was published in the September 12, 
2005, Federal Register (70 FR 53774) proposing to revise the standards 
by adding a new grade ``U.S. No. 1 Long Stem'' and further defining 
``fairly compact'' by including a definition for ``slightly spread.'' 
In response to this notice AMS received one comment from an industry 
group supporting the proposed revision. The comment is available by 
accessing the AMS, Fresh Products Branch Web site at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/fpbdocketlist.htm.
    Based on comments received and information gathered, AMS believes 
the revision to the standards will bring the standards for globe 
artichokes in line with current marketing practices and thereby improve 
their usefulness.
    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 (Sec. 51.1 to 51.61).
    The United States Standards for Grades of Globe Artichokes will 
become effective 30 days after the publication of this notice in the 
Federal Register.

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

    Dated: January 18, 2006.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. E6-785 Filed 1-23-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P