[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 23 (Monday, February 5, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 5261]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-1762]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket  AMS-FV-2006-0203; FV-06-306]


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

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 Peppers (Other Than Sweet Peppers). The standards will 
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.

EFFECTIVE DATE: March 7, 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 Peppers (Other Than Sweet 
Peppers) 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 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 establishing 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

    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 the other from a 
shipper. Both comments were in support of developing the standards. The 
comments are available by accessing AMS, Fresh Products Branch Web site 
at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/fpbdocketlist.htm.
    On July 24, 2006, AMS published a second notice in the Federal 
Register (71 FR 41755-41756), soliciting comments on the proposed 
voluntary United States Standards for Grades of Peppers (Other Than 
Sweet Peppers). The proposed standards contained U.S. Fancy, U.S. No. 
1, and U.S. No. 2 grades and tolerances for each grade. In addition, 
there were ``Application of Tolerances'' and ``Size'' sections. AMS 
also defined ``Injury,'' ``Damage,'' and ``Serious Damage,'' along with 
specific basic requirements and definitions for defects, definitions 
for color, diameter, and length. Comments were not received in 
connection with the second notice.
    The adoption of the U.S. grade standards will provide the pepper 
(other than sweet peppers) 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. Accordingly, AMS is adopting 
the United States Standards for Grades of Peppers (Other Than Sweet 
Peppers) as proposed in the July 24, 2006, Federal Register notice.
    The official grades 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 (7 CFR 51.1 to 51.61).
    The United States Standards for Grades of Peppers (Other Than Sweet 
Peppers) will become effective 30 days after publication in the Federal 
Register.

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

    Dated: January 30, 2007.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. E7-1762 Filed 2-2-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P