AMS NEWS RELEASE

AMS No. 120-04

George Chartier (202) 720-8998

Billy Cox (202) 720-8998

USDA SEEKS COMMENTS ON PROPOSED CHANGES TO U.S. STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF PERSIAN LIMES

WASHINGTON, June 25, 2004 –– The U.S. Department of Agriculture is accepting written comments on a petition to revise the U.S. Standards for Grades of Persian (Tahiti) Limes.

At the request of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service is reviewing all fresh fruit and vegetable grade standards, as well as the development of other commodity grade standards. Chartered by the agriculture secretary in August 2001, the committee makes recommendations on USDA programs to better meet the needs of the fruit and vegetable industry.

AMS is reviewing the U.S. Standards for Grades of Persian (Tahiti) Limes for possible revision. Some important changes being considered include amending the methods for determining the color and juice content requirements for the grades. These potential changes

will update the standards so that their usefulness is maintained as they are applied to today’s marketing practices.

AMS works with industry representatives and others to establish or revise U.S. standards for nearly 240 agricultural products. The 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.

The request for comments appears in today’s Federal Register. Comments must be received by Aug. 24. Send comments to David L. Priester, AMS Fruit & Vegetable Programs, USDA Stop 0240, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington DC 20250-0240; by e-mailing FPBDocketClerk@usda.gov; or submitting them through the Federal eRulemaking portal at http://www.regulations.gov. Copies of the notice are also available at the same address.

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