[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 27 (Thursday, February 9, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6772-6773]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-3029]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Document No. AMS-FV-11-0054]


United States Standards for Grades of Okra

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 Okra. AMS has been reviewing the 
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable grade standards for usefulness in serving the 
industry. As a result, AMS has identified the United States

[[Page 6773]]

Standards for Grades of Okra for possible revisions. AMS would remove 
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 9, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to 
the Standardization and Training Branch, Fresh Products Division, Fruit 
and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, National Training and Development Center, Riverside 
Business Park, 100 Riverside Parkway, Suite 101, Fredericksburg, VA 
22406; Fax (540) 361-1199, or on the Web at: www.regulations.gov. 
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: Contact Dr. Carl Newell, 
Standardization and Training Branch, Fresh Products Division, (540) 
361-1120. The United States Standards for Grades of Okra 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 Okra 
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 
December 18, 1928.
    Background and Proposed Notice: AMS has been reviewing the fresh 
fruit and vegetable grade standards for usefulness in serving the 
industry and has identified that the ``Unclassified'' section needs to 
be eliminated from the United States Standards for Grades of Okra. 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. Therefore, 
AMS is soliciting comments on this proposed revision and any other 
comments regarding revisions to the United States Standards for Grades 
of Okra.
    This notice provides for a 60 day comment period for interested 
parties to comment on the proposed revisions in the standard. 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 3, 2012.
Robert C. Keeney,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-3029 Filed 2-8-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P