WAC 16-442-085   Damage defects.  The following specific defects or any combination of them, when the combined seriousness exceeds the maximum allowed for any one defect, are considered damage to winter pears:

     (1) Russeting:

     (a) Excessively rough russeting that shows "frogging" or slight cracking on all pear varieties when the russeting exceeds one-half inch in diameter and is excessively rough.

     (b) Slightly rough or thick russeting that is characteristic of frost injury on Anjou and other smooth-skinned varieties when it exceeds three-fourths inch in diameter.

     (c)(i) Smooth solid or smooth netlike russeting that exceeds one-third of the surface on Anjou pears or covers more than fifteen percent of the surface on other smooth-skinned varieties.

     (ii) On Anjou and other smooth-skinned varieties, any amount of characteristic smooth russeting is permitted on the portion of the calyx end that is invisible for more than one-half inch along the contour of the pear when the pear is placed calyx end down on a flat surface.

     (d)(i) Rough or thick russeting that is characteristic of frost injury when it exceeds three-fourths inch in diameter on Bosc, Seckel, and other similar varieties.

     (ii) On Bosc, Seckel, and similar varieties, any amount of characteristic russeting is permitted, whether caused by natural or artificial means.

     (iii) Light limb rubs that resemble and blend into russet areas are considered russet.

     (2) Hard end pears are considered defects of all grades.

     (3) Skin breaks when the pear has one skin break that is more than three-sixteenths inch in diameter or deeper than three-sixteenths inch or has more than one skin break that is at least one-eighth inch in diameter or at least one-eighth inch deep.

     (a) Small inconspicuous skin breaks that are less than one-eighth inch in diameter or less than one-eighth inch deep are not considered damage.

     (b) At a maximum, fifteen percent of the pears in any container may have no more than one skin break per pear ranging in size from one-eighth inch to three-sixteenths inch in diameter or depth.

     (4) Limb rubs when they cause:

     (a) Cracks, softening, or more than slight depressions; or

     (b) Black discoloration that exceeds an aggregate area of three-eighths inch in diameter; or

     (c) Dark brown discoloration or excessive roughness that exceeds an aggregate area of one-half inch in diameter; or

     (d) A slightly rough, light colored discoloration that exceeds an aggregate area of three-fourths inch in diameter; or

     (e) Smooth, light colored discoloration that exceeds an aggregate area of one inch in diameter.

     (5) Hail marks or other similar depressions or scars that are not shallow or superficial or when they affect an aggregate area of more than three-eighths inch in diameter.

     (6) Cork spot when more than one spot is externally visible or when the externally visible injury affects an aggregate area of more than three-eighths inch in diameter.

     (7) Drought spot when there is more than one spot or the external injury exceeds an aggregate area of three-eighths inch in diameter or the appearance of the flesh is materially affected by corky tissue or brownish discoloration.

     (8)(a) Sunburn or sprayburn when the skin is blistered, cracked, or shows any light tan or brownish color or the shape is appreciably flattened or the flesh is appreciably softened or changed in color.

     (b) Sprayburn of a russet character must be considered under the definition of russeting in subsection (1) of this section.

     (9) Insect stings when there are more than two healed codling moth stings or a sting is over three thirty-seconds of an inch in diameter or when other insect stings affect the pear's appearance.

     (10) Blister mite or canker worm injury that is not shallow or superficial or when it affects an aggregate area of more than three-eighths inch in diameter.

     (11)(a) Scab spots when they are black and cover an aggregate area of more than one-eighth inch in diameter.

     (b) Scab spots of a russet character must be considered under the definition of russeting in subsection (1) of this section.

     (12) Sooty blotch when it is thinly scattered over more than five percent of the pear's surface or when it appears as dark, heavily concentrated spots affecting an aggregate area of more than three-eighths inch in diameter.



[Statutory Authority: Chapter 15.17 RCW, RCW 15.17.030, and chapter 34.05 RCW. 09-01-094, § 16-442-085, filed 12/16/08, effective 1/16/09.]