[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 243 (Tuesday, December 19, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 75932]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-21568]


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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. 243 / Tuesday, December 19, 2006 / 
Notices  

[[Page 75932]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. 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 establishing voluntary United States Standards 
for Grades of Cultivated Ginseng. AMS received a request from an 
industry group representing cultivated ginseng growers to develop a 
standard that will provide the industry with a common language and 
uniform basis for trading, thus promoting the orderly and efficient 
marketing of cultivated ginseng.

DATES: Effective Date: January 18, 2007.

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 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/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 established voluntary United States Standards for Grades of 
Cultivated Ginseng using the procedures that appear in Part 36, Title 7 
of the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR part 36).

Background

    AMS received a request from an industry group representing 
cultivated ginseng growers to develop a standard that will provide a 
common language for trade and a means of measuring value in the 
marketing of cultivated ginseng. Based on information gathered and 
comments rendered by the industry, AMS developed a proposed U.S. 
Standards for Grades of Cultivated Ginseng. The proposed standards 
contained 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.
    On June 28, 2006, AMS published a notice in the Federal Register 
(71 FR 36753), soliciting comments on the proposed United States 
Standards for Grades of Cultivated Ginseng.
    In response to the notice, comments were received from two industry 
groups. One comment from an industry group was in favor of the 
standards as proposed. Another comment was also in favor of the 
proposed standards. However, they suggested that the section concerning 
Sample and Sample Size should be changed, and the words ``at least'' be 
added to the sample size to allow for any needed adjustments by the 
inspector while performing inspections. AMS agrees with this comment, 
because adjustments in the sample size may be necessary when performing 
the inspection. Consequently, AMS has added the wording ``minimum'' to 
the section.
    The comments are available by accessing the AMS, Fresh Products 
Branch Web site at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/fpbdocketlist.htm.
    The adoption of the U.S. grade standards will provide the 
cultivated ginseng 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 cultivated ginseng 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 Cultivated Ginseng will 
be effective 30 days after publication of this notice in the Federal 
Register.

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

    Dated: December 13, 2006.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-21568 Filed 12-18-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P