[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 48 (Monday, March 11, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9589-9590]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-5716]



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 Rules and Regulations
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  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 48 /  Monday, March 11, 1996 / Rules 
and Regulations  

[[Page 9589]]


DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Parts 29, 31, 32, 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 58, 70, and 160

[Docket Number FV-95-303]


Removal of U.S. Grade Standards and Other Selected Regulations

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Reopen and Extension of Comment Period.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the time period for filing 
comments is reopened and extended on the interim final rule published 
in the December 4, 1995, issue of the Federal Register (60 FR 62172-
62181). The comment period is extended until July 9, 1996. The comment 
period is extended to allow interested parties adequate time to 
comment.

DATES: Comments must be received by July 9, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments 
concerning this interim final rule. Comments must be submitted in 
duplicate, signed, include the address of the sender, and should bear 
reference to the date and page number of this issue of the Federal 
Register. Commentors are encouraged to include definitive information 
which explains and supports the sender's views. Written comments may be 
mailed to Eric Forman, Deputy Director, Fruit and Vegetable Division, 
USDA, AMS, Room 2085-S, P.O. Box 96456, Washington, DC 20090-6456.
    Comments will be available for public inspection during regular 
business hours in Room 2085-South Building; 14th Street and 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, D.C.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric Forman (202) 690-0262.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 4, 1995, an interim final rule 
was published in the Federal Register requesting comments on USDA's 
initiative to remove voluntary U.S. grade standards and other selected 
regulations covering a number of agricultural commodities (dairy 
products, tobacco, wool, mohair, fresh and processed fruits and 
vegetables, livestock, meats and meat products, eggs, and poultry and 
rabbit products) from the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Comments 
were to be received by February 2, 1996.
    On January 31, 1996, we received a comment from the American Dairy 
Products Institute (ADPI) requesting that implementation of the removal 
of grade standards for dairy products from the CFR be postponed and 
that the period for comment be extended for an additional 120 days. On 
February 2, 1996, we received a comment from the American Meat 
Institute (AMI) requesting that the comment period be extended for an 
additional 60 days to allow time for clarification of the procedures 
for developing and revising standards that will ensure that industry 
will be able to comment on, and receive responses to, their concerns 
about future modifications to grade standards.
    Both commentors expressed several of their concerns and the 
importance of having the comment period extended to allow additional 
time for their members to truly evaluate this initiative and the full 
impact it would have on their industry. This rule was developed in 
response to the President's regulatory review initiative. This provided 
the impetus to develop new approaches to meet more effectively the 
needs of U.S. industry, government agencies, and consumers and still 
reduce the regulatory burden. As part of this initiative, voluntary 
standards that are currently in the CFR and are administered by AMS are 
being removed from that publication. This rule eliminates selected 
regulations which encompass approximately 1,200 pages of the CFR. With 
respect to the official grade standards, this includes all the 
standards except those which are currently in the rulemaking process, 
or are incorporated by reference in marketing orders/agreements 
appearing at 7 CFR Parts 900 through 999 or those necessary for 
implementing government price support. Those grade standards will 
continue to appear in the CFR, although they will also be available in 
separate publications along with all other grade standards, except 
those for wool and mohair. Standards for wool and mohair and related 
regulations will be removed from the CFR and will no longer be 
available since there is no demand for services pertaining to wool or 
mohair.
    Since the Department has no objection to the requests for extension 
of the comment period, we suggest that the period be reopened and 
extended for an additional 120 days. Accordingly, the comment period is 
extended to July 9, 1996.

List of Subjects

7 CFR Part 29

    Administrative practice and procedure, Advisory committees, 
Government publications, Imports, Pesticides and pests, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Tobacco.

7 CFR Part 31

    Wool.

7 CFR Part 32

    Mohair.

7 CFR Part 51

    Agricultural commodities, Food grades and standards, Fruits, Nuts, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Trees, Vegetables.

7 CFR Part 52

    Food grades and standards, Food labeling, Frozen foods, Fruit 
juices, Fruits, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Vegetables.

7 CFR Part 53

    Cattle, Hogs, Livestock, Sheep.

7 CFR Part 54

    Food grades and standards, Food labeling, Meat and meat products.

7 CFR Part 56

    Eggs and egg products, Food grades and standards, Food labeling, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

7 CFR Part 58

    Dairy products, Food grades and standards, Food labeling, Reporting 
and recordkeeping requirements. 

[[Page 9590]]


7 CFR Part 70

    Food grades and standards, Food labeling, Poultry and poultry 
products, Rabbits and rabbit products, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

7 CFR Part 160

    Administrative practice and procedure, Advertising, Forests and 
forest products, Labeling, Packaging and containers, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: February 29, 1996.
David N. Lewis,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 96-5716 Filed 3-8-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P