[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 26 (Thursday, February 7, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 7245]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-2197]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket  AMS-FV-2006-0205; FV-06-317]


United States Standards for Grades of Cantaloups

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is revising the 
voluntary United States Standards for Grades of Cantaloups. 
Specifically, AMS is revising the ``Application of Tolerances'' section 
in the cantaloup standards. Additionally, AMS is removing the 
``Unclassified'' category from the standards. These changes will bring 
the standards for cantaloups in line with current marketing practices, 
thereby improving the usefulness of the standards in serving the 
industry.

EFFECTIVE DATE: March 10, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vincent J. Fusaro, Standardization 
Section, Fresh Products Branch, (202) 720-2185. The revised United 
States Standards for Grades of Cantaloups are available 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. 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 revising the United States Standards for Grades of 
Cantaloups using the procedures that appear in Part 36, Title 7 of the 
Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR part 36). These standards were last 
revised June 30, 1968.

Background

    Prior to undertaking detailed work to develop a proposed revision 
to the standards, AMS published a notice on December 28, 2006, in the 
Federal Register (71 FR 78128) soliciting comments on possible 
revisions of the United States Standards for Grades of Cantaloups. One 
supporting comment was received from a national trade association 
representing independent wholesale receivers. The commenter stated 
their members were in favor of the proposed revisions to the 
``Application of Tolerances'' section. Based on this supportive 
comment, a second notice was published on July 25, 2007, in the Federal 
Register (72 FR 40825) proposing to revise the standards to allow 
changes to section 51.480, which permitted applying tolerances to: 
either samples of the entire contents of melons in cartons or to 
samples consisting of at least twenty five melons for cantaloups packed 
in bulk bins or other packaging. Specifically within the section, ``The 
contents of individual packages * * *'' will be modified to ``Samples * 
* *'' and ``(a) A package may contain * * *'' will be modified to ``(a) 
Samples may contain * * *''. The notice also proposed eliminating the 
``Unclassified'' category. No additional comments were received.
    Based on the one initial comment received and information gathered, 
AMS is revising the grade standards for cantaloups to include these 
revisions.
    The official grades of cantaloups covered by these standards are 
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 51.62).
    The revised United States Standards for Grades of Cantaloups will 
become effective 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.

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

    Dated: February 1, 2008.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
 [FR Doc. E8-2197 Filed 2-6-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P