AMS NEWS RELEASE

AMS Release No. 317-03

George Chartier (202) 720-8998

george.chartier@usda.gov

Billy Cox (202) 720-8998

billy.cox@usda.gov

USDA SEEKS COMMENTS ON PETITION TO REVISE GRADE STANDARD FOR CANNED PEARS

 WASHINGTON, January 20, 2004 –– The U. S. Department of Agriculture is requesting comment on a petition to change the United State Grade Standard for Canned Pears.

The petitioners have requested that USDA change the character classification for Grade “B” sliced and diced pears to read “the units are reasonably tender or tenderness may be variable within the unit.” The petitioners believe the change in the standard will improve the economic position of domestic growers of pears.

This revision of the standard would affect an average of 377,629 metric tons of canned pears produced yearly in the United States.

Comments, postmarked no later than Feb. 20***, should be sent to Karen L. Kaufman, AMS Fruit and Vegetable Programs, USDA STOP 0247, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington DC  20250-0247; or by e-mail to: karen.kaufman@usda.gov. The United States Standards for Grades of Canned Pears is available either through the above address or at http://www.ams.usda.gov/standards/frutcan.htm.

***NOTE: Please see AMS News Release 317a-03, which corrects the deadline date on this release. The deadline for public comments is March 22.

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