[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 247 (Tuesday, December 26, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77366-77367]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-22048]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket  AMS-FV-2006-0201; FV-06-314]


United States Standards for Grades of Parsley

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 its proposal to revise the 
United States Standards for Grades of Parsley. AMS is proposing to 
revise the standards to allow percentages to be determined by count 
rather than weight. AMS is also proposing to eliminate the unclassified 
category. The proposed revisions would bring the standards for parsley 
in line with current marketing practices, thereby improving the 
usefulness in serving the industry.

DATES: Comments must be received by February 26, 2007.

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 Parsley are 
available either through the address cited above or by accessing the 
AMS, Fresh Products Branch Web site at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/standards/stanfrfv.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

[[Page 77367]]

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. AMS 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 revise the voluntary United States Standards 
for Grades of Parsley using procedures that appear in Part 36, Title 7 
of the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR part 36). These standards 
were last published on July 30, 1930.

Background

    Prior to undertaking research and other work associated with 
revision of the grade standards, AMS published a notice in the Federal 
Register (71 FR 41755) on July 24, 2006, soliciting comments on the 
possible revision to the United States Standards for Grades of Parsley.
    In response to our request for comments, AMS received one comment 
from an industry group representing receivers. The comment is available 
by accessing AMS's Fresh Products Branch Web site at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/fpbdocketlist.htm. The commenter was in favor of 
the proposed revision to allow the percentages for tolerances and 
defects to be determined by count rather than weight, and further 
stated that as for the ``Unclassified'' category, some members 
requested that it be preserved, while others did not. However, this 
section is being removed in all standards when they are revised, as 
this category is not a grade and it only serves to show that no grade 
has been applied to the lot. It is no longer considered necessary. 
Therefore, AMS will eliminate the ``Unclassified'' category.
    The proposed revision will allow percentages for tolerances and 
defects to be determined by count rather than weight. Currently, 
parsley is packed and marketed by count and weight. Taking into account 
these marketing practices, this proposal will bring the standards for 
parsley in line with current marketing practices, thereby, improving 
the usefulness of the standards in serving the industry.
    The official grade of a lot of parsley covered by these 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 changes to the United States 
Standards for Grades of Parsley.

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

    Dated: December 19, 2006.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-22048 Filed 12-22-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P