Comment on FR Doc # 2012-01219

Is there any one on this board who is knowledgeable of the the production, harvesting, and marketing of peaches? I do hope so because this crop is very unpredictable. Who would determine the definition of "US Extra No. 1 fresh peach"? Will there be any type of federal inspector as in the shipping industry? Who would dermine on a daily basis if the farmer is selling No 1 fresh peaches? Would cost help to define No. I as compared to culls? Would the difference in roadside market prices as compared to wholesale prices be taken into condideration? Would a definite understandable directive be given to the procucer for record keeping? Will there be a qualified person to consistently check with the farmer so there is fairness across the board? We have been in the peach business for over 50 years, so I feel I have a good understanding of this crop. The one thing a good peach grower knows is that if he/she wants to stay in business he/she better sell No. 1 Fresh peaches to the consumer. Peaches are perishable even with the farmer's best efforts. The tricky part is to know what to do with the seconds. Supply and demand enters in, especially in an area such As Spartanburg County, SC where there are so many growers. With this change in rules, would it be better to leave fruit on the trees if they have hail pecks or try to harvest them, spend money, and then have disappointed consumers due to decay? Cold damage often does not show up until harvest time because the damage is in the seed. What does the farmer do at this point? What about the number of baskets of No. 1 peaches that go to State Farmer markets and due to the supply, they sit there and become seonds or are sold at lower prices. It is imperative that you as a board need to understand the needs and problems of the peach problem. In order for any rules to be carrued out fairly, this needs to be carried out professionally,