[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 60 (Thursday, March 29, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 14709]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-5788]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 60 / Thursday, March 29, 2007 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 14709]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 51

[Docket  AMS-FV-2007-0008; FV-06-310]


United States Standards for Grades of Florida Avocados

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking.

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

SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), prior to undertaking 
research and other work associated with revising official grade 
standards, is soliciting comments on the possible revisions of the 
United States Standards for Grades of Florida Avocados. At a meeting 
with the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee, AMS was asked 
to review the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable grade standards for usefulness 
in serving the industry. As a result AMS is considering revisions to 
the Florida Avocado standard to include all avocados.

DATES: Comments must be received by May 29, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on 
the internet at http://www.regulations.gov or 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. 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vincent J. Fusaro, Standardization 
Section, Fresh Products Branch, (202) 720-2185. The United States 
Standards for Grades of Florida Avocados are available either through 
the address cited above or by accessing the 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. AMS makes copies of official standards 
available upon request.
    AMS is considering revisions to the United States Standards for 
Grades of Florida Avocados. These standards were published on September 
3, 1957.

Background

    At a meeting with the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory 
Committee, AMS was asked to review the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable grade 
standards for usefulness in serving the industry. AMS has identified 
the United States Standards for Grades of Florida Avocados (7 CFR 
51.3050-3069) for possible revision. The current standard only applies 
to avocados grown in Florida. AMS is considering revisions to the 
standards so it may be applied to all avocados. The title of the 
standard would be modified by deleting ``Florida,'' to make the 
standards generic to cover all avocados. As a result this allows for 
avocados from different growing regions to be marketed and certified to 
a grade using the standard. AMS will also eliminate Sec.  51.3054 
entitled ``Unclassified.'' This section is not a grade and only serves 
to show than no grade has been applied to the lot. This section will be 
removed from all fresh fruit and vegetable standards. It is no longer 
considered necessary. However, prior to undertaking detailed work to 
develop the proposed revision to the standards, AMS is soliciting 
comments on these changes as well as any other revisions to the United 
States Standards for Grades of Florida Avocados to better serve the 
industry. Users of these standards include: voluntary, destination and 
shipping point users, in addition to required users.
    AMS is seeking comments regarding how, if at all, marketing would 
be improved by removing the word ``Florida'' so the standard could be 
applied to all avocados, including avocados grown outside the state of 
Florida. Further, comments outlining any additional costs or benefits 
would be helpful in determining a final decision after the comments are 
received and reviewed. AMS will also review any other suggested 
revisions and would be interested in how they would improve the 
marketing of avocados and any associated costs and/or benefits to the 
industry.
    There is a mandatory marketing program which regulates the handling 
of Florida avocados under (7 CFR part 915). Avocados under the 
marketing order have to meet certain requirements set forth in the 
grade standards. In addition, avocados are subject to section 8e import 
requirements (7 CFR part 944) under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 
1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674) which requires imported avocados to 
meet grade, size, quality under the applicable marketing order.

Executive Order 12866

    The Office of Management and Budget has waived the review process 
required by Executive Order 12866 for this action.
    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.

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

    Dated: March 23, 2007.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. E7-5788 Filed 3-28-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P