WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/TBT/Notif.98.290
17 June 1998
(98-2470)
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade
NOTIFICATION
The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6.
1. Member to Agreement notifying:  UNITED STATES
If applicable, name of local government involved (Articles 3.2 and 7.2):
2. Agency responsible:  Department of Agriculture (18)
Agency or authority designated to handle comments regarding the notification shall beindicated if different from above:
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [X], 2.10.1 [    ], 5.6.2 [    ], 5.7.1 [   ], other:           
4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading.
ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable):  Grapes (HS Chapter 7)
5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document: Grapes Grown in a
Designated Area of Southeastern California and Imported Table Grapes; Revision in
Minimum Grade, Container, and Pack  Requirements (6 pages, English)
6. Description of content: This rule revises minimum grade requirements for grapes grown in
southeastern California and for grapes imported into the United States.  It also revises
container and pack requirements currently prescribed for California grapes.  This rule
allows California grape handlers to market consumer packages of grapes more economicallyby increasing the range of allowable bunch sizes for a portion of the 1998 season.  Master
containers of consumer grape packages could be marketed if the grape clusters/bunches in
the packages consist of at least 2 berry clusters and the clusters/bunches are not greater than
19 ounces in weight.  The increased bunch size range also applies to imported grapes.  This
action is in the interest of handlers, producers, importers, and consumers.
7. Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where applicable:  To offer
handlers and importers more marketing flexibility.
8. Relevant documents:  63 FR 28475, 26 May 1998;  7 CFR Parts 925 and 944.  Will appear
in the Federal Register when adopted.
9. Proposed date of adoption:  1 June 1998
Proposed date of entry into force:
10. Final date for comments:  25 June 1998
11. Texts available from:  National enquiry point [X] or address, e-mail and telefax number of
the other body: