E9-11491. United States Standards for Grades of Table Grapes (European or Vinifera Type)

AGENCY:

Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Withdrawal of proposed rule.

SUMMARY:

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is withdrawing the document soliciting comments on its proposal to amend the voluntary United States Standards for Grades of Table Grapes (European or Vinifera Type). After reviewing and considering the comments received, the agency has decided not to proceed with this action.

DATES:

Effective Date: The proposed rule published February 26, 2008 (73 FR 10185), is withdrawn as of May 18, 2009.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dr. Carl Newell, Standardization and Training Section, Fresh Products Branch, 100 Riverside Parkway, Suite 101, Fredericksburg, VA 22406-1016; Telephone: [phone]; or Fax: [phone]. The United States Standards for Grades of Table Grapes (European or Vinifera Type) are available by accessing the Fresh Products Branch Web site at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/​freshinspection.

Background

In November of 2005, AMS received petitions from two trade associations requesting a revision to the United States Standards for Grades of Table Grapes (European or Vinifera Type). These petitions were received from the California Grape and Tree Fruit League on November 9, 2005, and Western Growers on November 25, 2005. These two trade associations represent more than 85 percent of the European or Vinifera type table grape production in the United States. They requested an additional 10 percent allowance for shattered berries en route or at destination for grapes in consumer containers. The petitioners stated that changes to the standard, specifically limited to shattered berries packed in consumer containers, are warranted because the majority of table grapes are now being sold in consumer containers which allow shattered berries to be fully utilized/sold.

Prior to undertaking detailed work to develop a proposed revision to the standards, AMS published an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) on January 24, 2006, in the Federal Register (71 FR 3818) soliciting comments on a proposal to revise the standards. Based on comments received, AMS published a proposed rule on September 22, 2006, in the Federal Register (71 FR 55367) proposing to modify the standard by adding a 10 percent allowance for shattered grapes in consumer containers. Due to lack of industry consensus concerning the proposed rule, AMS published in the Federal Register (72 FR 35668) a notice to withdraw the proposed rule on June 29, 2007.

The withdrawal stated that AMS would continue to work with interested parties regarding the subject of shattered berries. AMS subsequently met with the representatives from the California Grape and Tree Fruit League, the North American Perishable Agricultural Receivers, and other wholesale produce receivers to gather additional background information in order to consider possible future revisions.

On October 5, 2007, AMS received a second petition from the California Grape and Tree Fruit League requesting a revision to the United States Standards for Grades of Table Grapes (European or Vinifera Type). The petitioner repeated the original request for an additional 10 percent allowance for shattered grapes en route or at destination for grapes in consumer containers. However, AMS did not propose the 10 percent allowance. AMS was concerned that this percentage would weaken the standard and reduce consumer confidence in the grade. In recognizing that the majority of grapes now sold at retail are packaged in consumer containers, AMS proposed a smaller change in the allowance. Therefore, on February 26, 2008, AMS published a proposed rule in the Federal Register (73 FR 10185) proposing a 5 percent allowance for shattered grapes in consumer containers.

AMS received 58 comments from the table grape industry. These comments are available by accessing the AMS, Fresh Products Branch Web site at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/​freshinspection or http://www.regulations.gov.

Thirty-three comments supported the proposal. Three were from regional agricultural trade associations; one comment was from a national table grape association; and 29 were from growers, packers, and shippers. Supporting comments indicated that changes in grading are necessary to recognize improvements made in packaging, marketing, and shipping of grapes. They expressed that the proposed allowance for shatter would strengthen the United States Standards for Grades of Table Grapes (European or Vinifera Type). These comments stated that consumers are buying shattered berries in bags and clamshells resulting in less shrink. They also stated that the key to consumer acceptance of low to medium amounts of shattered berries is the healthy appearance of the berry (a whole and sound berry that is free from other visible defects), not just whether the berry is attached to the stem.

Twenty-five comments opposed the proposal. Two comments were received from national trade associations, one from a Chilean trade association, and 22 comments were received from wholesalers, receivers, and distributors. Opposing comments stated that shattered berries were weaker berries more susceptible to microbiological contamination and are more prone to develop other defects than berries that are still attached to the stem. They also commented that in their experience, customers seek out the bags with the most berries still attached to the stem. These comments conveyed that containers with higher amounts of shattered grapes sit in produce cases longer increasing the amount of shrink compared to containers with less shattered grapes present. Commenters opposed to the proposed changes were also concerned that the proposed allowance would weaken the United States Standards for Grades of Table Grapes (European or Vinifera Type).

AMS has reviewed all comments and we note that improvements in packaging for table grapes have occurred. Nonetheless, there were conflicting comments received that specifically raised questions regarding: (1) Marketability and subsequent shrink, due to changes in packaging; and (2) the effect this proposed rule would have on individual businesses. Further, we note that there is a lack of independent data available to clarify these issues. In such circumstances, there continues to be no clear consensus among industry segments to support a proposed rule. Accordingly AMS will not proceed with this action. However, AMS will continue to work with the industry to revise the current U.S. Grade standards to better reflect the current marketing of this and other agricultural products.

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627.

Dated: May 12, 2009.

Robert C. Keeney,

Acting Associate Administrator.