[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 165 (Friday, August 25, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 50383]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-14113]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 165 / Friday, August 25, 2006 / 
Notices  

[[Page 50383]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket Number FV-06-316]


United States Standards for Grades of Oranges (California and 
Arizona) and/or United States Standards for Grades of Grapefruit 
(California and Arizona)

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), prior to undertaking 
research and other work associated with revising official grade 
standards, is soliciting comments on the need for possible revisions to 
the United States Standards for Grades of Oranges (California and 
Arizona) and/or United States Standards for Grades of Grapefruit 
(California and Arizona). AMS is seeking comments regarding any 
revisions to the United States Standards for Grades of Oranges 
(California and Arizona) and/or United States Standards for Grades of 
Grapefruit (California and Arizona) that may be necessary to better 
serve the industry.

DATES: Comments must be received by October 24, 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 United States Standards for Grades of Oranges 
(California and Arizona) and/or United States Standards for Grades of 
Grapefruit (California and Arizona) are available either at the above 
address or by accessing the AMS, Fresh Products Branch Web site at: 
http://www.ams.usda.gov/ standards/stanfrfv.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheri 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 considering whether to revise the U.S. Standards for Grades 
of Oranges (California and Arizona) and United States Standards for 
Grades of Grapefruit (California and Arizona) using the procedures that 
appear in Part 36, Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR 
part 36). These standards were last revised in 1999.

Background

    AMS has identified the United States Standards for Grades of 
Oranges (California and Arizona) and/or United States Standards for 
Grades of Grapefruit (California and Arizona) for possible revisions. 
AMS has identified the standards may need to be revised to reflect 
current marketing trends. However, prior to undertaking detailed work 
to develop proposed revisions to the standards, AMS is seeking 
suggestions from the industry on possible revisions, such as: changing 
the basic requirements to the grades, or changing the tolerances in 
order to make them more suitable for the markets, adding additional 
definitions, or revising the existing definitions particularly those 
that contain scoring guides for defects. These areas for possible 
revisions are only illustrative. AMS invites suggestions on all aspects 
of these standards that may need to be revised.
    This notice provides for a 60-day comment period for interested 
parties to comment on whether any changes are necessary to the 
standards. Should AMS conclude that there is a need for any revisions 
of the standards, the proposed revisions will be published in the 
Federal Register with a request for comments in accordance with 7 CFR 
part 36.

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

    Dated: August 21, 2006.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. E6-14113 Filed 8-24-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P