82 FR 22305 - United States Standards for Lentils

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 92 (May 15, 2017)

Page Range		22305-22306
FR Document		2017-09720

The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) is proposing a revision to the United States Standards for Lentils to (1) establish an additional grading factor, definition, grade requirements, and visual reference images for ``wrinkled lentils,'' and (2) establish a special grade, definition, special grade requirements, designation, and visual reference images for ``green lentils.'' These revisions are being proposed at the request of the lentil industry. GIPSA believes that this proposed revision of the United States Standards for Lentils would improve the application of the standards and facilitate the marketing of lentils.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 92 (Monday, May 15, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 92 (Monday, May 15, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22305-22306]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-09720]


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Notices
                                                Federal Register
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This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 92 / Monday, May 15, 2017 / Notices

[[Page 22305]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration


United States Standards for Lentils

AGENCY: Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; request for public comment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Grain 
Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) is proposing 
a revision to the United States Standards for Lentils to (1) establish 
an additional grading factor, definition, grade requirements, and 
visual reference images for ``wrinkled lentils,'' and (2) establish a 
special grade, definition, special grade requirements, designation, and 
visual reference images for ``green lentils.'' These revisions are 
being proposed at the request of the lentil industry. GIPSA believes 
that this proposed revision of the United States Standards for Lentils 
would improve the application of the standards and facilitate the 
marketing of lentils.

DATES: GIPSA will consider comments received by June 14, 2017.

ADDRESSES: GIPSA invites all interested parties to submit comments on 
this Notice. You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
     Mail: M. Irene Omade, GIPSA, USDA, 1400 Independence 
Avenue SW., Room 2530-S, Washington, DC 20250-3613.
     Hand Delivery or Courier: M. Irene Omade, GIPSA, USDA, 
1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 2530-S, Washington, DC 20250-3613.
     Internet: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line 
instructions for submitting comments.
    Instructions: All comments should make reference to the date and 
page number of this issue of the Federal Register. All documents and 
comments relating to this Notice are available for public inspection in 
Room 2530-S, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-3613 
during regular business hours (7 CFR 1.27(b)). All comments received 
will be included in the public docket without change, including any 
personal information provided. Please call the GIPSA Management and 
Budget Services support staff (202) 720-8479 for an appointment to view 
the comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Beverly A. Whalen at GIPSA, USDA, 
10383 N. Ambassador Drive, Kansas City, MO 64153; Telephone: (816) 659-
8410; Fax: (816) 872-1258; [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 203(c) of the Agricultural Marketing 
Act of 1946, as amended, (AMA), directs and authorizes the Secretary of 
Agriculture ``To develop and improve standards of quality, condition, 
quantity, grade, and packaging and recommend and demonstrate such 
standards in order to encourage uniformity and consistency in 
commercial practices.'' GIPSA is committed to carrying out this 
authority in a manner that facilitates the marketing of agricultural 
commodities.
    Under the AMA, GIPSA establishes standards for graded commodities 
including rice, whole dry peas, split peas, feed peas, lentils, and 
beans. The AMA standards are voluntary and widely used in private 
contracts, government procurement, marketing communication, and/or 
consumer information. The standards serve as a common trading language 
to define commodity quality in the domestic and global marketplace.

Background

    GIPSA engages in regular outreach with stakeholders to ensure 
commodity standards maintain relevance with the modern market. Lentil 
industry stakeholders include the USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council 
(USADPLC), a national organization of producers, processors, and 
exporters of U.S. dry peas, lentils, and chickpeas; the US Dry Pea and 
Lentil Trade Association (USPLTA), a national association representing 
processors, traders, and transporters in the pea, lentil and chickpea 
industry; and, other handlers and merchandisers.
    The United States Standards for Lentils are found on GIPSA's Web 
site at https://www.gipsa.usda.gov/fgis/standards/lentils.pdf. USADPLC 
and USPLTA reviewed the U.S. Standards for Lentils, which were last 
revised in 2008. The review resulted in those stakeholders jointly 
recommending that GIPSA revise the standards based on changing market 
trends. Specifically, these groups asked GIPSA to (1) establish a new 
grading factor of ``wrinkled lentils,'' and (2) establish a new special 
grade of ``green lentils.''
    GIPSA provides official inspection procedures for lentils in the 
Pea and Lentil Handbook, which is available on the GIPSA's public Web 
site at https://www.gipsa.usda.gov/fgis/handbook/PeaLentilHB/PeaLentil_2016-07-11.pdf.

Establishment of Grading Factor ``Wrinkled Lentils''

    USADPLC and USPLTA reported on a trend of an increasing percentage 
of fully developed lentils that possess a wrinkled seed coat. These 
lentils do not meet the definition for immature lentils. Under the 
current U.S. Standards for Lentils, these lentils would grade U.S. #1; 
however, the wrinkled appearance is considered undesirable. The 
stakeholders jointly recommended that GIPSA establish a new grade 
determining factor ``wrinkled lentil,'' and also recommended factor 
limits for grades No's. 1, 2, and 3. GIPSA and these stakeholders 
collaborated to develop a visual reference image that best reflects the 
``wrinkled lentil'' condition. Stakeholders endorsed the following 
definition:
    Wrinkled lentils are sound lentils that are substantially wrinkled 
on at least 50 percent of one side.
    The revised table of grade and grade requirements for dockage-free 
lentils would be as follows:

[[Page 22306]]



                           607 Grades and Grade Requirements for Dockage-Free Lentils
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 Grades U.S. Nos.
                         Grading factors                         -----------------------------------------------
                                                                         1               2               3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defective Lentils
    Total \1\...................................................             2.0             3.5             5.0
    Weevil-Damaged Lentils......................................             0.3             0.8             0.8
    Heat-Damaged Lentils........................................             0.2             0.5             1.0
Foreign Material
    Total \2\...................................................             0.2             0.5             0.5
    Stones......................................................             0.1             0.2             0.2
Skinned Lentils.................................................             4.0             7.0            10.0
Wrinkled Lentils \3\............................................             5.0            10.0           >10.0
Contrasting Lentils \4\.........................................             2.0             4.0            >4.0
Inconspicuous Admixture.........................................             0.5             0.8             1.0
Minimum Requirements for Color..................................            Good            Fair            Poor
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Sample grade lentils:
(a) Do not meet the requirements for the grades U.S. Nos. 1, 2, or 3; or
(b) Contain more than 14.0 percent moisture, live weevils, or other live insects, metal fragments, broken glass,
 or a commercially objectionable odor; or
(c) Are materially weathered, heating, or distinctly low quality.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Defective lentils total is weevil-damaged, heat-damaged, damaged, and split lentils combined.
\2\ Foreign material total includes stones.
\3\ Lentils with more than 10.0 percent wrinkled lentils must grade no higher than U.S. No. 3.
\4\ Lentils with more than 4.0 percent contrasting lentils must grade no higher than U.S. No. 3.

Establishment of Special Grade ``Green Lentils''

    The USPLTA Grades Committee members recommended that GIPSA 
establish a special grade, ``green lentils.'' Lentil stakeholders 
concurred on the need for a special grade to distinguish a desirable 
aesthetic feature. GIPSA and these stakeholders collaborated to develop 
a visual reference image that best reflects the ``green lentils'' 
condition. Stakeholder endorsed the following definition:
    Green lentils are clear seeded (non-mottled) and possess a natural, 
uniformly green color.

Proposed GIPSA Action

    Based on input from stakeholder organizations in the lentil 
industry that concurred on the need for revisions to the United States 
Standards for Lentils, GIPSA proposes to revise the lentil standards to 
(1) establish a new grade determining factor, definition, factor 
limits, and visual reference image for ``wrinkled lentils,'' and (2) 
establish a special grade, definition, designation, and visual 
reference image for ``green lentils.'' Accordingly, GIPSA proposes the 
following revisions:
    Section 601, Definitions, would be amended to include the 
definition of ``Wrinkled lentils.''
    Section 607, Grades and grade requirements for dockage-free 
lentils, would be amended to include grade limits for ``Wrinkled 
lentils.''
    Section 609, Special grades and requirements, would be amended to 
include the definition of ``Green lentils.''
    GIPSA will solicit comments for 30 days. All comments received 
within the comment period will be made part of the public record 
maintained by GIPSA, will be available to the public for review, and 
will be considered by GIPSA before final action is taken on the 
proposal.
    The Pea and Lentil Handbook would be revised to incorporate any 
revision to the standards.

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

Randall D. Jones,
Acting Administrator, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2017-09720 Filed 5-12-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-KD-P

22306 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 92 / Monday, May 15, 2017 / Notices

607 GRADES AND GRADE REQUIREMENTS FOR DOCKAGE-FREE LENTILS
Grades U.S. Nos.
Grading factors
1 2 3

Defective Lentils
Total 1 .................................................................................................................................... 2.0 3.5 5.0
Weevil-Damaged Lentils ....................................................................................................... 0.3 0.8 0.8
Heat-Damaged Lentils .......................................................................................................... 0.2 0.5 1.0
Foreign Material
Total 2 .................................................................................................................................... 0.2 0.5 0.5
Stones ................................................................................................................................... 0.1 0.2 0.2
Skinned Lentils ............................................................................................................................ 4.0 7.0 10.0
Wrinkled Lentils 3 ......................................................................................................................... 5.0 10.0 >10.0
Contrasting Lentils 4 ..................................................................................................................... 2.0 4.0 >4.0
Inconspicuous Admixture ............................................................................................................. 0.5 0.8 1.0
Minimum Requirements for Color ................................................................................................ Good Fair Poor

U.S. Sample grade lentils:
(a) Do not meet the requirements for the grades U.S. Nos. 1, 2, or 3; or
(b) Contain more than 14.0 percent moisture, live weevils, or other live insects, metal fragments, broken glass, or a commercially objectionable
odor; or
(c) Are materially weathered, heating, or distinctly low quality.
1 Defective lentils total is weevil-damaged, heat-damaged, damaged, and split lentils combined.
2 Foreign material total includes stones.
3 Lentils with more than 10.0 percent wrinkled lentils must grade no higher than U.S. No. 3.
4 Lentils with more than 4.0 percent contrasting lentils must grade no higher than U.S. No. 3.

Establishment of Special Grade ‘‘Green include the definition of ‘‘Green beans,’’ and (2) establish a new grade
Lentils’’ lentils.’’ determining factor, definition, factor
GIPSA will solicit comments for 30 limits, and visual reference image for
The USPLTA Grades Committee
days. All comments received within the ‘‘contrasting chickpeas.’’ These
members recommended that GIPSA
comment period will be made part of revisions are being proposed at the
establish a special grade, ‘‘green
the public record maintained by GIPSA, request of the pea and lentil industry,
lentils.’’ Lentil stakeholders concurred
will be available to the public for and are supported by the bean industry.
on the need for a special grade to
review, and will be considered by GIPSA believes that this proposed
distinguish a desirable aesthetic feature.
GIPSA before final action is taken on the revision of the United States Standards
GIPSA and these stakeholders
proposal. for Beans would facilitate the marketing
collaborated to develop a visual
The Pea and Lentil Handbook would of chickpeas and improve the
reference image that best reflects the
be revised to incorporate any revision to application of the standards.
‘‘green lentils’’ condition. Stakeholder
the standards. DATES: GIPSA will consider comments
endorsed the following definition:
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621–1627. received by June 14, 2017.
Green lentils are clear seeded (non-
ADDRESSES: GIPSA invites all interested
mottled) and possess a natural, Randall D. Jones,
uniformly green color. parties submit comments on this Notice.
Acting Administrator, Grain Inspection, You may submit comments by any of
Proposed GIPSA Action Packers and Stockyards Administration.
the following methods:
[FR Doc. 2017–09720 Filed 5–12–17; 8:45 am] • Mail: M. Irene Omade, GIPSA,
Based on input from stakeholder BILLING CODE 3410–KD–P USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue
organizations in the lentil industry that
SW., Room 2530–S, Washington, DC
concurred on the need for revisions to
20250–3613.
the United States Standards for Lentils, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE • Hand Delivery or Courier: M. Irene
GIPSA proposes to revise the lentil
Omade, GIPSA, USDA, 1400
standards to (1) establish a new grade Grain Inspection, Packers and
Independence Avenue SW., Room
determining factor, definition, factor Stockyards Administration
2530–S, Washington, DC 20250–3613.
limits, and visual reference image for • Internet: http://
‘‘wrinkled lentils,’’ and (2) establish a United States Standards for Beans
www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line
special grade, definition, designation, AGENCY: Grain Inspection, Packers and instructions for submitting comments.
and visual reference image for ‘‘green Stockyards Administration, USDA. Instructions: All comments should
lentils.’’ Accordingly, GIPSA proposes make reference to the date and page
ACTION: Notice; request for public
the following revisions: number of this issue of the Federal
comment.
Section 601, Definitions, would be Register. All documents and comments
amended to include the definition of SUMMARY: The United States Department relating to this Notice are available for
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

‘‘Wrinkled lentils.’’ of Agriculture’s (USDA) Grain public inspection in Room 2530–S, 1400
Section 607, Grades and grade Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Independence Avenue SW.,
requirements for dockage-free lentils, Administration (GIPSA) is proposing a Washington, DC 20250–3613 during
would be amended to include grade revision to the United States Standards regular business hours (7 CFR 1.27(b)).
limits for ‘‘Wrinkled lentils.’’ for Beans to (1) establish a class and All comments received will be included
Section 609, Special grades and grade requirement chart for in the public docket without change,
requirements, would be amended to ‘‘chickpeas,’’ also known as ‘‘garbanzo including any personal information

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Document Created: 2017-05-13 02:39:01
Document Modified: 2017-05-13 02:39:01

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice; request for public comment.
Dates		GIPSA will consider comments received by June 14, 2017.
Contact		Beverly A. Whalen at GIPSA, USDA, 10383 N. Ambassador Drive, Kansas City, MO 64153; Telephone: (816) 659- 8410; Fax: (816) 872-1258; [email protected]
FR Citation		82 FR 22305

82 FR 22305 - United States Standards for Lentils

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUREGrain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 92 (May 15, 2017)

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration