[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 212 (Thursday, November 2, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 64509]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-18514]


 ========================================================================
 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
 and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
 statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
 appearing in this section.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 212 / Thursday, November 2, 2006 / 
Notices  

[[Page 64509]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket Number FV-06-301]


United States Standards for Grades of Mixed Commodities

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) is establishing voluntary United States Standards 
for Grades of Mixed Commodities. The standards will provide industry 
with a common language and uniform basis for trading, thus promoting 
the orderly and efficient marketing for fresh fruits and vegetables 
that are mixed in a package.

DATES: Effective Date: December 4, 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 Ave., SW., Room 1661, South Building, Stop 0240, 
Washington, DC 20250-0240, (202) 720-2185, fax (202) 720-8871, or e-
mail [email protected].
    The United States Standards for Grades of Mixed Commodities is 
available either from the above address 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 establishing voluntary United States Standards for Grades of 
Mixed Commodities using the procedures that appear in Part 36, Title 7 
of the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR part 36).

Background

    AMS previously published a notice in the Federal Register (71 FR 
3816-3817), on January 24, 2006, soliciting comments on the proposed 
voluntary United States Standards for Grades of Mixed Commodities. The 
proposed standards contained the U.S. Mixed grade. In addition, there 
were ``Sample Basis,'' ``Tolerances,'' and ``Application of 
Tolerances'' sections. AMS also defined ``Mixed,'' ``Injury,'' 
``Damage,'' and ``Serious Damage.''
    In response to the notice, a comment was received from an 
individual asking `` * * * how would commodities with tolerances of 
less than 10% be handled?'' The total tolerance in the United States 
Standards for Grades of Mixed Commodities would be 10 percent. 
Therefore, when commodities are being certified under the mixed 
commodities standards the 10 percent tolerance would apply regardless 
of the tolerances in the individual standards. Additionally, the 
commenter asked, ``Can commodities under a Marketing Order (with less 
than 10% tolerance, i.e. onions from Idaho and Eastern Oregon) be 
packed under this standard?'' Marketing orders are issued under the 
Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 (7 U.S.C. 601-608) and 
commodities regulated under such orders must meet handling requirements 
that may include tolerances that differ from the 10 percent tolerance 
that appears in the mixed commodities standards. The voluntary mixed 
commodities standards are issued under the Agricultural Marketing Act 
of 1946 and the 10 percent total tolerance for such mixed commodities 
would be applicable to grading and certification under this program. 
Certification under the U.S. mixed commodities standard would not meet 
the requirements of the marketing order program.
    The adoption of the U.S. grade standards will provide the mixed 
commodity 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 of mixed commodities covered by these 
standards will be 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 Mixed Commodities will be 
effective 30 days after publication of this notice in the Federal 
Register.

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

    Dated: October 27, 2006.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-18514 Filed 11-1-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P