AMS No. 130-08

Jimmie Turner (202) 720-6179

jimmie.turner@usda.gov

Billy Cox (202) 720-8998

billy.cox@usda.gov

WASHINGTON, July 9, 2008 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture is soliciting comments on its proposal to revise and update the U.S. Standards for Grades of Beet Greens.

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is proposing to remove “Unclassified” category from the standards. This category is not a grade and only serves to show that no grade has been applied to the lot; therefore, it is no longer considered necessary.

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. 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 July 10, 2008, Federal Register. Comments must be received by Sept. 8, 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. Comments also can be submitted to www.regulations.gov or e-mail to: FPB.DocketClerk@usda.gov. In addition, copies of the notice are available from the same address.

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