USDA Reviewing Strawberry Grade Proposal

WASHINGTON - Mar 10/05 - SNS -- The USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service is seeking comments on a petition to change the U.S. grading standards for strawberries.

AMS is seeking comments on the possible revision of the grade standards to allow percentages to be determined by count and not volume. Comments are also requested on other revisions that may be necessary to update the standards to more closely reflect current cultural and marketing practices. The revision was requested by the California Strawberry Commission.

The standards and proposed changes are at http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/fpbdocketlist.htm. The proposal and request for comments will appear in the Mar. 11 Federal Register. Comments must be received by May 10 and should be sent to David L. Priester, AMS Fruit & Vegetable Programs, USDA Stop 0240, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20250. Comments may be e-mailed to FPBDocketClerk@usda.gov. Copies of the notice are also available from the same address.

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 the quality of commodities. Standards facilitate commerce by providing a common language for trade and a means of measuring value in the marketing of agricultural products.