7 CFR Part 51 - FRESH FRUITS, VEGETABLES AND OTHER PRODUCTS 1 2 (INSPECTION, CERTIFICATION, AND STANDARDS)

Notice is hereby given that the comment period for the interim rule on revisions to inspection application requirements is extended until March 23, 2017. The rule invited comments on amendments to the inspection requirements for fresh and processed fruits, vegetables, and other products that added an option for electronic inspection application submissions. The rule also updated terminology in the regulations to reflect the use of modern technology in common use by the industry.

This rule amends the inspection, certification and standards requirements for fresh fruits, vegetables and other products and processed fruits and vegetables, processed products and certain other processed food products (7 CFR parts 51 and 52) by adding an option to allow for electronic submissions of inspection applications. This rule also eliminates outdated terminology referencing submission of inspection applications by telegraph.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposes to revise the U.S. Standards for Grades of Shelled Walnuts and the U.S. Standards for Grades of Walnuts in the Shell. AMS proposes to include red colored walnuts. In addition, AMS proposes to remove the “Unclassified” section. The changes will modernize the standards, and meet growing consumer demand by providing greater marketing flexibility.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is revising 41 U.S. Standards for Grades of fresh fruits and vegetables, fruits and vegetables for processing, nuts, and specialty crops by removing the “Unclassified” category from each standard. This revision brings these grade standards in line with other recently amended standards and current terminology. The change also updates the standards to more accurately represent today's marketing practices and provide the industry with greater flexibility.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposes revising 46 U.S. Standards for Grades of fresh fruits and vegetables, fruits and vegetables for processing, nuts, and specialty crops by removing the “Unclassified” category from each standard. This would bring these grade standards in line with other recently amended standards and current terminology. This revision would update the standards to more accurately represent today's marketing practices and provide the industry with greater flexibility.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is amending its regulations to provide for a set of standardized formulas by which fees are calculated. The fees are calculated using formulas to account for all costs incurred by AMS in providing these services. Each year, fees will be announced in a notice in the Federal Register by June 1 and take effect at the start of the fiscal year, crop year, or as required by specific laws. This action provides greater transparency to the customers we serve as to how the fees are derived. The standardized formulas will be used to calculate fees that AMS charges for providing voluntary grading, inspection, certification, auditing and laboratory services for a variety of agricultural commodities including meat and poultry, fruits and vegetables, eggs, dairy products, and cotton and tobacco. The fees will also apply to those persons requesting such services including producers, handlers, processors, importers and exporters. Fees charged for inspection of fruits, vegetables, and specialty crops subject to the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 are also affected by this rule. Provisions of this rule do not supersede rates established by Memoranda of Understanding, Marketing Orders, or by cooperative agreements already in place. Furthermore, the cotton program will continue to consult with its industry before rates are established.

This rule revises the U.S. Standards for Grades of Onions (Other Than Bermuda-Granex-Grano (BGG) and Creole Type) and the U.S. Standards for Grades of BGG Type Onions which were issued under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is amending the “similar varietal characteristic” and “one type” requirements to allow mixed colors of onions when designated as a mixed or specialty pack. This revision will update the standards to more accurately represent today's marketing practices and to provide the industry with greater flexibility.

This proposed rule would revise the United States Standards for Grades of Onions (Other Than Bermuda-Granex-Grano and Creole Type) and the United States Standards for Grades of Bermuda-Granex-Grano Type Onions which were issued under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is proposing to amend the “similar varietal characteristic” and “one type” requirements to allow mixed colors of onions when designated as a mixed or specialty pack. The purpose of this revision is to update and revise the standards to more accurately represent today's marketing practices and to provide the industry with greater flexibility.

This rule revises the United States Standards for Grades of Almonds in the Shell. These standards are issued under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is revising the standards by changing the determination of internal defects from count to weight. These revisions will align the inspection procedures for incoming inspections (based on the marketing order) and outgoing inspections (based on the standards). These changes will promote greater uniformity and will provide consistency with current marketing practices.