[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 224 (Wednesday, November 19, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69605-69606]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-27399]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration


United States Standards for Beans

AGENCY: Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, USDA.

ACTION: Final notice.

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SUMMARY: The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration 
(GIPSA) is revising the U.S. Standards for Beans to provide applicants 
for service with an optional grade designation for bean certification; 
and to remove the requirements that the percentage of high moisture 
and, in the case of Mixed Beans, the percentage of each class in the 
mixture, be shown on the grade line. These changes will facilitate use 
of the standards and better reflect current marketing practices.

EFFECTIVE DATE: December 19, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Beverly A. Whalen at USDA, GIPSA, 
FGIS, Market and Program Analysis Staff, Beacon Facility, STOP 1404, 
P.O. Box 419205, Kansas City, Missouri 64141; Telephone (816) 823-4648; 
Fax Number (816) 823-4644; e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    GIPSA published a notice in the Federal Register on April 17, 2007 
(72 FR 19168), inviting comments regarding the revision of the U.S. 
Standards for Beans to provide applicants for service with an optional 
grade designation for bean certification; and to remove the 
requirements that the percentage of high moisture and, in the case of 
Mixed Beans, the percentage of each class in the mixture, be shown on 
the grade line.
    The notice provided an opportunity for interested parties to 
forward written comments to GIPSA until May 17, 2007. Due to a 
continued high level of interest in the notice, on February 1, 2008 (73 
FR 6111), GIPSA reopened the comment period until April 1, 2008, to 
provide interested parties with additional time in which to comment.
    The U.S. Standards for Beans do not appear in the Code of Federal 
Regulations; the U.S. Department of Agriculture maintains the 
standards. The process for developing or revising these standards is 
specified in the regulations in 7 CFR 868.102, Procedures for 
Establishing and Revising Grade Standards. You may view or print the 
U.S. Standards for Beans from the GIPSA Web site at http://www.gipsa.usda.gov or by contacting GIPSA by phone, fax, or e-mail 
using the information provided above under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT.

Comment Review

    GIPSA received one comment submitted on behalf of the U.S. Dry Bean 
Council (USDBC). USDBC represents the national U.S. dry bean industry, 
including growers, shippers, dealers, canners, and state and regional 
trade associations. The USDBC comment supported our proposed changes.

Final Action

    Accordingly, GIPSA is revising the U.S. Standards for Beans to 
provide applicants for service with an optional grade designation for 
bean certification;

[[Page 69606]]

and to remove the requirements that the percentage of high moisture 
and, in the case of Mixed Beans, the percentage of each class in the 
mixture, be shown on the grade line. These changes will facilitate use 
of the standards and better reflect current marketing practices.

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

Terry Van Doren,
Administrator, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration.
[FR Doc. E8-27399 Filed 11-18-08; 8:45 am]
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