[Federal Register: March 29, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 59)]
[Notices]               
[Page 15817]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29mr05-38]                         





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.

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[[Page 15817]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket Number FV-05-304]

 
United States Standards for Grades of Fresh Asparagus

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice, request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), prior to undertaking 
research and other work associated with revising an official grade 
standard, is soliciting comments on a possible revision to the United 
States Standards for Grades of Fresh Asparagus. At a 2003 meeting of 
the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee, AMS was asked to 
review all the fresh fruit and vegetable grade standards for usefulness 
in serving the industry. As a result, AMS has noted that currently 
there are no provisions to allow purple or white asparagus to be graded 
using the standards. Therefore, AMS is soliciting comments on the 
possible revision of the color requirements in the grade standards. 
Additionally, AMS is seeking comments regarding any other revisions 
that may be necessary to better serve the industry.

DATES: Comments must be received by May 31, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments 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, e-mail 
FPB.DocketClerk@usda.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. The United States Standards for Grades of Fresh 
Asparagus is available either at the above address or by accessing the 
Fresh Products Branch Web site at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/standards/stanfrfv.htm
.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David L. Priester, at the above 
address or call (202) 720-2185; e-mail David.Priester@usda.gov.

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, quality, 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 and makes copies of official standards 
available upon request. The United States Standards for Grades of Fruit 
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 the USDA/AMS/Fruit and Vegetable 
Programs.
    AMS is proposing to revise the U.S. Standards for Grades of Fresh 
Asparagus 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 in 1966.

Background

    At a meeting of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Committee, AMS was 
asked to review all the fresh fruit and vegetable grade standards for 
usefulness in serving the industry. As a result, AMS has identified the 
U.S. Standards for Grades of Fresh Asparagus green color requirement 
for possible updating. Currently the standards require two-thirds of 
the asparagus stalk to be green color. AMS is proposing to revise the 
requirement to allow for purple and white asparagus to be graded using 
the standards. AMS believes that a revision to include purple and white 
asparagus in the color requirement section is warranted to better serve 
the industry. However, prior to undertaking detailed work to develop a 
proposed revision to the standard, AMS is soliciting comments on the 
possible revision to the standard and the probable impact on 
distributors, processors, and growers. Additionally, AMS is seeking 
comments regarding any other revisions that may be necessary to better 
serve the industry.
    This notice provides for a 60-day comment period for interested 
parties to comment on changes to the standard. Should AMS conclude that 
there is a need for the revision of the standard, the proposed revision 
of the standard 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: March 23, 2005.
Kenneth C. Clayton,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 05-6083 Filed 3-28-05; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-02-P