[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 33 (Tuesday, February 19, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9086-9087]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-2961]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket  AMS-FV-07-0142]


United States Standards for Grades of Beet Greens

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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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 to the 
United States Standards for Grades of Beet Greens. AMS has been 
reviewing the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable grade standards for usefulness 
in fostering commerce. As a result, AMS has identified the United 
States Standards for Grades of Beet Greens for possible revisions.
    AMS is considering removing the ``Unclassified'' category from the 
standards. AMS is seeking comments regarding this change as well as any 
other possible revisions that may be necessary to better serve the 
industry.

DATES: Comments must be received by April 21, 2008.

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 Beet Greens 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 
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[[Page 9087]]

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 considering revisions to the voluntary United States 
Standards for Grades of Beet Greens using procedures that appear in 
Part 36, Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR part 36). 
These standards were last revised on June 1, 1959.

Background

    AMS has been reviewing the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable grade 
standards for usefulness in serving the industry. AMS has identified 
the United States Standards for Grades of Beet Greens for possible 
revision. Prior to undertaking detailed work developing the proposed 
revisions in the standards, AMS is soliciting comments on the proposed 
revision and any other comments regarding revisions to the United 
States Standards for Grades of Beet Greens to better serve the 
industry.
    AMS would eliminate the ``Unclassified'' category. AMS is removing 
this section in all standards as they are revised. This category is not 
a grade and only serves to show that no grade has been applied to the 
lot. It is no longer considered necessary due to current marketing 
practices.
    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 Beet Greens. Should AMS go forward with the 
revisions, it will develop the proposed revised standards that will be 
published in the Federal Register with a request for comments in 
accordance with 7 CFR part 36.

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

    Dated: February 12, 2008.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. E8-2961 Filed 2-15-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P