[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 133 (Thursday, July 10, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 39646]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-15644]


 ========================================================================
 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
 and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
 statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
 appearing in this section.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 133 / Thursday, July 10, 2008 / 
Notices  

[[Page 39646]]



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.

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

SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is soliciting 
comments on its proposal to revise the voluntary United States 
Standards for Grades of Beet Greens. AMS is proposing to remove 
``Unclassified'' category from the standards. The proposed revisions 
will update the beet greens grade standards.

DATES: Effective Date: Comments must be received by September 8, 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/freshinspection.

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 Beet 
Greens 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 1, 1959.

Background

    Prior to undertaking detailed work to develop a proposed revision 
to the standards, AMS published a notice on February 19, 2008, in the 
Federal Register (73 FR 9086) soliciting comments for possible 
revisions to the United States Standards for Grades of Beet Greens. The 
proposal would remove the ``Unclassified'' category from the standards. 
No comments were received regarding this change.
    AMS would eliminate the unclassified category. This category is 
being removed from all standards when 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.
    AMS is seeking comments regarding how this revision will affect the 
marketing of beet greens. Additionally, AMS is interested in learning 
the costs and/or benefits to the industry by revising the United States 
Standards for Grades of Beet Greens.
    The official grades of beet greens 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).
    This notice provides for a 60-day comment period for interested 
parties to comment on the proposed revisions to the standards.

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

    Dated: July 3, 2008.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
 [FR Doc. E8-15644 Filed 7-9-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P