AMS No. 303-06

Jimmie Turner (202) 720-6179

jimmie.turner@usda.gov

Billy Cox (202) 720-8998

billy.cox@usda.gov

WASHINGTON, Dec. 28, 2006 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture is soliciting comments on a proposed revision to the U.S. Standards for Grades of Parsley. The proposed revision to the grade standards will allow percentages for tolerances and defects to be determined by count, not weight.

The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, 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 works with industry representatives and others to establish or revise U.S. standards for nearly 240 agricultural products. The industry uses the standards in the marketplace to specify acceptable quality and/or condition of commodities.

Current standards can be viewed at http://www.ams.usda.gov/standards/vegfm.htm. The request for comments was published in the Dec. 26, 2006, Federal Register. Comments must be received by Feb. 26, 2007, and should be mailed to Cheri L. Emery, AMS Fruit & Vegetable Programs, Room 1661-S, USDA Stop 0240, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-0240. In addition, copies of the notice are available from the same address. Comments may be e-mailed to FPBDocketClerk@usda.gov.