UNITED

NATIONS

Distr.

GENERAL

TRADE/WP.7/2000/11/Add.16

13 December 2000

ORIGINAL : ENGLISH AND FRENCH

ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE

COMMITTEE FOR TRADE, INDUSTRY AND

ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT

Working Party on Standardization of

Perishable Produce and Quality Development

Fifty-sixth session, Geneva, 6 to 8 November 2000

REPORT OF THE FIFTY-SIXTH SESSION

Addendum 16

Note by the secretariat

This document contains the UN/ECE Recommendation for Plums (FFV-29) which was adopted at the fifty-
sixth session of the Working Party for a one year trial period.

GE.00-

UN/ECE RECOMMENDATION FFV-29

relating to the marketing and commercial

quality control of

PLUMS

moving in international trade between and to

UN/ECE member countries

I.	DEFINITION OF PRODUCE

This standard applies to plums of varieties (cultivars) grown from

-	Prunus domestica L. ssp. domestica

-	Prunus domestica L. ssp. insititia (L.) Schneid.,

-	Prunus domestica L. ssp. italica (Borkh.) Gams,

-	Prunus domestica L. ssp. syriaca (Borkh.) Janchen and

-	Prunus salicina Lindl and

-	inter-specific hybrids derived from plums (Prunus domestica) and apricots (Prunus armeniaca) showing plum characteristics (see list of varieties),

to be supplied fresh to the consumer, plums for industrial processing being excluded.

II.	PROVISIONS CONCERNING QUALITY

The purpose of the standard is to define the quality requirements of plums at the export control stage, after preparation and packaging.

A.	Minimum requirements

In all classes, subject to the special provisions for each class and the tolerances allowed, the plums must be:

-	intact

-	sound; produce affected by rotting or deterioration such as to make it unfit for consumption is excluded

-	clean, practically free of any visible foreign matter

-	practically free from pests

-	practically free from damage caused by pests

-	free of abnormal external moisture

-	free of any foreign smell and/or taste.

The plums must have been carefully picked. They must be sufficiently developed and display satisfactory ripeness.

The development and condition of the plums must be such as to enable them:

-	to withstand transport and handling, and

-	to arrive in satisfactory condition at the place of destination.

B.	Classification

Plums are classified in three classes defined below:

(i)	"Extra" Class

Plums in this class must be of superior quality. In shape, development and colouring they must be characteristic of the variety.

They must be:

-	practically covered by their bloom, according to variety

-	of firm flesh.

They must be free from defects with the exception of very slight superficial defects provided these do not affect the general appearance of the produce, the quality, the keeping quality and presentation in the package.

(ii)	Class I

Plums in this class must be of good quality. They must be characteristic of the variety.

The following slight defects, however, may be allowed, provided these do not affect the general appearance of the produce, the quality, the keeping quality and presentation in the package:

-	a slight defect in shape

-	a slight defect in development

-	a slight defect in colouring

-	skin defects of elongated shape must not exceed in length one-third of the maximum diameter of the fruit. In particular, healed cracks may be allowed for "Golden gage" varieties1

-	other skin defects of which the total area affected must not exceed one-sixteenth of the whole surface.

(iii)	Class II

This class includes plums which do not qualify for inclusion in the higher classes but satisfy the minimum requirements specified above.

The following defects may be allowed provided the plums retain their essential characteristics as regards the quality, the keeping quality and presentation:

-	defects in shape

-	defects in development

-	defects in colouring

-	skin defects of which the total area affected must not exceed one-quarter of the whole surface.

III.	PROVISIONS CONCERNING SIZING

Size is determined by the maximum diameter of the equatorial section.

Minimum sizes are fixed as follows:

"Extra" and I	II
Large-fruited varieties2	35 mm	30 mm
Other varieties	28 mm	25 mm
Mirabelles and Damsons	20 mm	17 mm

For the "Extra" Class, the maximum difference in diameter between fruit in any one package is fixed at 10 mm.

IV.	PROVISIONS CONCERNING TOLERANCES

Tolerances in respect of quality and size shall be allowed in each package for produce not satisfying the requirements of the class indicated.

A.	Quality tolerances

(i)	"Extra" Class

5 per cent by number or weight of plums not satisfying the requirements of the class, but meeting those of Class I or, exceptionally, coming within the tolerances of that class.

(ii)	Class I

10 per cent by number or weight of plums not satisfying the requirements of the class, but meeting those of Class II or, exceptionally, coming within the tolerances of that class. Within this tolerance, not more than 2 per cent in total may consist of split and/or worm eaten fruit.

(iii)	Class II

10 per cent by number or weight of plums satisfying neither the requirements of the class nor the minimum requirements, with the exception of produce affected by rotting, marked bruising, or any other deterioration rendering it unfit for consumption. Within this tolerance, not more than 4 per cent in total may consist of split and/or worm eaten fruit.

B.	Size Tolerances

For all classes: 10 per cent by number or weight of plums deviating from the minimum size or the size stated on the package, the deviation not exceeding 3 mm above or below.

V.	PROVISIONS CONCERNING PRESENTATION

A.	Uniformity

The contents of each package must be uniform and contain only plums of the same origin, variety, quality and size (if sized), and for the "Extra" Class, the contents must also be uniform in colour.

The visible part of the contents of the package must be representative of the entire contents.

B.	Packaging

Plums must be packed in such a way as to protect the produce properly.

The materials used inside the package must be new, clean and of a quality such as to avoid causing any external or internal damage to the produce. The use of materials, particularly of paper or stamps bearing trade specifications is allowed provided the printing and labelling has been done with non-toxic ink or glue.

Packages must be free of all foreign matter.

C.	Presentation

The plums may be presented

-	in small packages

-	arranged in one or more layers separated from each other

-	in bulk in the package, except for the "Extra" Class.

VI.	PROVISIONS CONCERNING MARKING

Each package3 must bear the following particulars, in letters grouped on the same side, legibly and indelibly marked, and visible from the outside:

A.	Identification

Packer	)	Name and address or

and/or	)	officially issued or

Dispatcher	)	accepted code mark. 4

B.	Nature of Produce

-	"Plums", if the contents are not visible from the outside

-	Name of the variety.

C.	Origin of Produce

-	Country of origin and, optionally, district where grown, or national, regional or local place name.

D.	Commercial Specification

-	Class

-	Size (if sized) expressed in minimum and maximum diameter.

E.	Official Control Mark (optional)

Published 1961

Revised 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000

The UN/ECE Standard for Plums

has led to an explanatory brochure published by the OECD Scheme

ANNEX

Non-exhaustive list of large-fruited varieties of Prunus domestica

Variety
Cultivar and/or trade name	Synonyms
Ariel
Apple
Belle de Louvain	Bella di Lovanio
Bernardina
Bluefre	Blue Fré
Cacanska lepotica	Belle de Cacak, Cacaks Beauty,
Cacaks Schöne
Cacanska najbolja	Meilleure de Cacak, Cacaks Beste
Cacanska rana	Précoce de Cacak, Cacaks Frühe
California Blue	California Blu
Carpatin
Centenar
Coe's Golden Drop
De Fraile	Fraila
Denniston Superb
Edwards	Colbus
Emma Leppermann
Empress
Erfdeel
Giant	Burbank Giant Prune
Grand Prix	Grand Prize
Hall
Harris Monarch	Harris
Heron
Impérial Epineuse
Janand
Jefferson	Jefferson's Gage
Jori's Plum
Jubileum
June Blood
Magna Glauca
Manns Number One
Marjorie's Seedling
Merton Gage	Merton, Mereton
Merton Gem
Monarch
Monsieur hâtif	Early Orleans
Nueva Extremadura
Oneida
Ontario	Ontariopflaume
Pitestean
Pond's Seedling
President
Prince Engelbert
Prince of Wales	Prince de Galles
Prof. Collumbien
Prune Martin
Queen's Crown	Cox's Emperor
Quetsche Blanche de Létricourt	Quetsche Dr. Létricourt
Regina Claudia Mostruosa
Regina d'Italia
Reine-Claude d'Althan	Falso
Reine-Claude d'Oullin's	Oullin's Gage
Seneca
Sugar Prune
Sultan
Swan Gage
Tragedy
Utility	Laxton's Utility
Valor
Victoria
Vision
Washington
Zimmers Frühzwetsche

Non-exhaustive list of large-fruited varieties of Prunus salicina

Variety
Cultivar and/or trade name	Synonyms
Allo
Andy's Pride
Angeleno
Autumn Giant
Autumn Pride
Beaut Sun
Beauty	Beaty
Bella di Barbiano
Black Amber
Black Beaut
Black Diamond
Black Gold
Black Rosa
Black Royal
Black Star
Black Sun
Burbank
Burmosa
Calita
Casselman	Kesselman
Catalina
Celebration
Centenaria
Del Rey Sun
Delbarazur
Dolar
Eclipse
Eldorado
Eric Sun
Flavor King
Formosa
Fortune
Friar
Frontier
Gavearli
Gaviota
Globe Sun
Goccia d'Oro
Golden Japan	Shiro
Golden King
Golden Kiss
Golden Plum
Goldsweet 4
Grand Rosa
Green Sun
Hackman
Harry Pickstone
Howard Sun
Kelsey
Lady Red
Lady West
Laetitia
Laroda
Larry Ann	Larry Anne, Tegan Blue, Freedom
Late Red
Late Santa Rosa
Linda Rosa
Mariposa	Improved Satsuma, Satsuma Improved
Methley
Midnight Sun
Morettini 355	Cœur de Lion
Narrabeen
Newyorker
Nubiana
Obilnaja
October Sun
Original Sun
Oro Miel
Ozark Premier	Premier
Pink Delight
Pioneer
Queen Ann
Queen Rosa
Red Beaut
Red Rosa
Red Sweet
Redgold
Redroy
Reubennel	Ruby Nel
Royal Black
Royal Diamond
Royal Garnet
Royal Star
Roysum
Ruby Blood
Ruby Red
Sangue di Drago
Santa Rosa
Sapphire
Satsuma
Simka
Sir Prize	Akihime
Songold
Southern Belle
Southern Pride
Souvenir
Souvenir II
Spring Beaut
Starking Delicious
Stirling
Suplumeleven
Suplumthirteen
Suplumtwelve
Susy
TC Sun
Teak Gold
Top Black
Tracy Sun
Wickson
Yakima
Yellow Sun
Zanzi Sun

Non-exhaustive list of large-fruited varieties of hybrids

Non – exhaustive list of varieties of Plumcots (Prunus domestica × Prunus armeniaca)

Variety

Cultivar and/or trade name	Synonyms
Flavorella
Flavorrich
Blue Gusto

Non – exhaustive list of varieties of Pluots (Prunus armeniaca × Prunus domestica × Prunus domestica)

Variety

Cultivar and/or trade name	Synonyms
Flavor Queen
Flavor King
Dapple Dandy

Non – exhaustive list of varieties of Apriums (Prunus armeniaca × Prunus domestica × Prunus armeniaca)

Variety

Cultivar and/or trade name	Synonyms
Flavor Delight