[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 124 (Wednesday, June 28, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 36753]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-5851]


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 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
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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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 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 124 / Wednesday, June 28, 2006 / 
Notices  

[[Page 36753]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket Number FV-06-311]


United States Standards for Grades of Cultivated Ginseng

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 the proposed voluntary 
United States Standards for Grades of Cultivated Ginseng. AMS received 
a request from the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin (GBW), to develop the 
standards. The proposed standards would provide a common language for 
trade and a means of measuring value in the marketing of cultivated 
ginseng, thus promoting orderly and efficient marketing of ginseng.

DATES: Comments must be received by August 28, 2006.

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 proposed United States Standards for Grades of Cultivated 
Ginseng are available either from the above address or by accessing the 
AMS, Fresh Products Branch Web site at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/fpbdocketlist.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 establish the voluntary United States Standards 
for Grades of Cultivated Ginseng using procedures that appear in Part 
36, Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR part 36).

Background

    AMS received a request from the GBW to develop United States 
Standards for Grades of Cultivated Ginseng. The GBW represents 
shippers, processors and all the cultivated ginseng growers in 
Wisconsin. AMS met with members of the GBW on a number of occasions to 
develop the proposed U.S. Standards for Grades of Cultivated Ginseng. 
The proposal would establish the following grades, as well as a range 
of numerical values for each grade: U.S. Premium, U.S. Select, U.S. 
Medium and U.S. Standard. In addition, proposed basic requirements for 
all grades, size, sample size, color, wrinkle and a definitions section 
would be established. The proposal will provide a common language for 
trade and a means of measuring value in the marketing of cultivated 
ginseng.
    The official grade of a lot of cultivated ginseng covered by the 
standards will be 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 standards.

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

    Dated: June 23, 2006.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 06-5851 Filed 6-27-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P