[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 142 (Wednesday, July 25, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40825-40826]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-14339]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket  AMS-FV-2006-0199; FV-07-301]


United States Standards for Grades of Mangos

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing 
Service (AMS) is revising the

[[Page 40826]]

voluntary United States Standards for Grades of Mangos. Specifically, 
AMS is revising the standards to allow for longer, up to an inch, 
attached stem lengths. The revisions would bring the standards for 
mangos in line with current marketing practices, thereby improving 
their usefulness in serving the industry.

EFFECTIVE DATES: August 24, 2007.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vincent J. Fusaro, Standardization 
Section, Fresh Products Branch; (202) 720-2185. The United States 
Standards for Grades of Mangos 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.

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 revising the voluntary United States Standards for Mangos 
using the procedures that appear in Part 36, Title 7 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations (7 CFR part 36). The standards were developed 
February 2006.

Background

    AMS received two petitions, one from a packer/shipper and another 
from an importer, requesting a revision to the United States Standards 
for Grades of Mangos. The petitioners requested a revision to the 
definition of ``well trimmed.'' The standards currently define ``well 
trimmed'' as: The stem is neatly clipped or broken off at a point not 
more than \1/2\ inch beyond the point of attachment. The petitioners 
requested an increase to the allowable length of the attached stem to 
one inch from the point of attachment. The packer/shipper stated a 
change is warranted because a longer stem, up to one inch in length, 
would permit healing of the stem end and reduce the amount of latex 
that leaks out of the fruit. The petitioner further stated incidences 
of ``sunken stem end'' would be reduced significantly by allowing a 
longer stem.
    AMS published a notice in the Federal Register (72 FR 5259) on 
February 5, 2007, soliciting comments on the possible revisions to the 
United States Standards for Grades of Mangos. No comments were received 
in response to the notice.
    Based on the initial request received and the information gathered, 
AMS is revising the mango standards to bring the standards in line with 
current marketing practices. The revision to the definition reads as 
follows: ``Well trimmed'' means the stem is neatly clipped or broken 
off at a point not more than 1 inch beyond the point of attachment.
    The official grade of a lot of mangos 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).
    The revisions to the United States Standards for Grades of Mangos 
will become effective 30 days after publication of this notice in the 
Federal Register.

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

    Dated: July 19, 2007.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-14339 Filed 7-24-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P