[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 141 (Monday, July 24, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41755-41756]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-11740]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket Number FV-06-306]


United States Standards for Grades of Peppers (Other Than Sweet 
Peppers)

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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

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 Peppers (Other Than Sweet 
Peppers). This action is being taken at the request of the Fruit and 
Vegetable Industry

[[Page 41756]]

Advisory Committee, which asked AMS to identify commodities that needed 
grade standards developed to facilitate commerce. The proposed 
standards would provide industry with a common language and uniform 
basis for trading, thus promoting the orderly and efficient marketing 
of peppers that are not sweet peppers.

DATES: Comments must be received by September 22, 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 and on the Internet.
    The draft of the proposed United States Standards for Grades of 
Peppers (Other Than Sweet Peppers) is available either from the above 
address or by accessing AMS, Fresh Products Branch website 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 that are not requirements of 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 voluntary United States Standards for 
Grades of Peppers (Other Than Sweet Peppers) 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 Advisory 
Committee, AMS was asked to identify fresh fruit and vegetables that 
may be better served if grade standards are developed. As a result, AMS 
identified peppers that were not sweet peppers as possibly in need of 
official grade standards. Such standards are used by the fresh produce 
industry to describe the product they are trading, thus facilitating 
the marketing of the product.
    Prior to undertaking research and other work associated to develop 
the standards, AMS published a notice in the Federal Register (71 FR 
9514), on February 24, 2006, soliciting comments on the possible 
development of United States Standards for Grades of Peppers (Other 
Than Sweet Peppers). In response to the request for comments, AMS 
received two comments, one comment was from an industry group, and one 
from a pepper shipper. Both comments were in support of developing the 
standards. The comments are available by accessing AMS, Fresh Products 
Branch Web site: http://www.ams.usda.gov/fvfpbdocketlist.htm.
    Based on the comments received and information gathered, AMS has 
developed proposed grade standards for peppers other than sweet 
peppers. This proposal would establish the following grades, as well as 
a tolerance for each grade: U.S. Fancy, U.S. No. 1 and U.S. No. 2. In 
addition, there are proposed ``Tolerances,'' ``Application of 
Tolerances,'' and ``Size'' sections. AMS is proposing to define 
``Injury,'' ``Damage,'' and ``Serious Damage,'' with specific basic 
requirements and definitions for defects, along with definitions for 
color, diameter, and length. AMS is soliciting comments on the proposed 
voluntary United States Standards for Grades of Peppers (Other Than 
Sweet Peppers).
    The adoption of these proposed standards would provide industry 
with U.S. grade standards similar to those extensively in use by the 
fresh produce industry to assist in orderly marketing of other 
commodities.
    The official grade of a lot or shipment of fresh vegetables covered 
by U.S. 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 for a 60-day comment period for interested 
parties to comment on the proposed United States Standards for Grades 
of Peppers (Other Than Sweet Peppers).

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

     Dated: July 18, 2006.
 Lloyd C. Day,
 Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-11740 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P