[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
Federal Register
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This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents.
Prices of new books are listed in the first FEDERAL REGISTER issue of each
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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]
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