AMS No. 029-08

Jimmie Turner (202) 720-6179

jimmie.turner@usda.gov

Billy Cox (202) 720-8998

billy.cox@usda.gov

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26, 2008 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture is proposing to revise the U.S. Standards for Grades of Table Grapes (European or Vinifera type).

By request from the California Grape and Tree Fruit League, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking comments on the possible addition of an allowance for shattered berries in consumer containers for shipments that are en route or at destination. The proposal is based on changes in packaging and marketing that have occurred in the European or Vinifera Table Grape industry.

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

The request for comments will be published in the Feb. 26, 2008, Federal Register. Comments must be received by March 27, 2008, and should be sent to Vincent J. Fusaro, AMS Fruit & Vegetable Programs, Room 1661-S, USDA Stop 0240, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-0240. Copies of the notice are also available from the same address. In addition, comments may be submitted to http://www.regulations.gov.

Current standards can be viewed at www.ams.usda.gov/standards/frutmrkt.htm.