[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 249 (Wednesday, December 29, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 78038]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-28573]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

[Docket No. 2004D-0509]


Proposed Referral Program from the Food and Drug Administration 
to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Seafood 
Inspection Program for the Certification of Live and Perishable Fish 
and Fishery Products for Export to the European Union and the European 
Free Trade Association; Extension of Comment Period

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice; extension of comment period.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is extending to January 
25, 2005, the comment period for the notice that appeared in the 
Federal Register of November 26, 2004 (69 FR 68948). In the notice, FDA 
announced the availability and requested comments on the draft guidance 
entitled ``Proposed Referral Program from the Food and Drug 
Administration to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
Seafood Inspection Program for the Certification of Live and Perishable 
Fish and Fishery Products for Export to the European Union and the 
European Free Trade Association.'' The agency is taking this action in 
response to requests for an extension to allow interested persons 
additional time to submit comments.

DATES: Submit written or electronic comments by January 25, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to the Division of Dockets 
Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, 
rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852. Submit electronic comments to http://www.fda.gov/dockets/ecomments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Hansen, Center for Food Safety and 
Applied Nutrition (HFS-415), Food and Drug Administration, 5100 Paint 
Branch Pkwy., College Park, MD 20740, 301-436-1405, e-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    In the Federal Register of November 26, 2004 (69 FR 68948), FDA 
published a notice with a 30-day comment period on a draft guidance 
entitled ``Proposed Referral Program from the Food and Drug 
Administration to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
Seafood Inspection Program for the Certification of Live and Perishable 
Fish and Fishery Products for Export to the European Union and the 
European Free Trade Association.''
    The agency has received several requests for an extension of the 
comment period for the notice, ranging from an additional 30 to 90 
days. Each request conveyed concern that the current 30-day comment 
period does not allow sufficient time to develop a meaningful or 
thoughtful response to the draft guidance document.
    FDA has considered the requests for additional time to submit 
comments and is extending the comment period for the notice and related 
guidance document for 30 days, until January 25, 2005. The agency 
believes that a 30-day extension allows adequate time for interested 
persons to submit comments without significantly delaying 
implementation of this important program.

II. Comments

    Interested persons may submit to the Division of Dockets Management 
(see ADDRESSES) written or electronic comments on this document. Submit 
a single copy of electronic comments or two paper copies of any mailed 
comments, except that individuals may submit one paper copy. Comments 
are to be identified with the docket number found in brackets in the 
heading of this document. Received comments may be seen in the Division 
of Dockets Management between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

    Dated: December 23, 2004.
Jeffrey Shuren,
Assistant Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. 04-28573 Filed 12-27-04; 10:43 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-S