[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 146 (Thursday, July 30, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45540-45541]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-18668]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

[Docket No. FDA-2015-N-1305]


Multicriteria-Based Ranking Model for Risk Management of Animal 
Drug Residues in Milk and Milk Products; Extension of Comment Period

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is extending the 
comment period for the risk assessment entitled ``Multicriteria-Based 
Ranking Model for Risk Management of Animal Drug Residues in Milk and 
Milk Products.'' A notice of the availability of the risk assessment 
and our request for comments appeared in the Federal Register of April 
30, 2015. We initially established July 29, 2015, as the deadline for 
the submission of requested comments that can help improve the ranking 
model approach, including the specific criteria, scoring, and weighting 
scheme; the scientific data and assumptions used to inform scoring used 
in the model; the selection of animal drugs evaluated; and the clarity 
and the transparency of the risk assessment. We are taking this action 
in response to a request for an extension to allow interested persons 
additional time to submit comments.

DATES: FDA is extending the comment period on the risk assessment whose 
availability we announced in a notice published on April 30, 2015 (80 
FR 24260). Submit either electronic or written comments on the risk 
assessment by October 27, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:

Electronic Submissions

    Submit electronic comments in the following way:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

Written Submissions

    Submit written submissions in the following ways:
     Mail/Hand delivery/Courier (for paper submissions): 
Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 
5630 Fishers Lane, Rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852.
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the Docket No. 
FDA-2015-N-1305. All comments received may be posted without change to 
http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information 
provided. For additional information on submitting comments, see the 
``Comments'' heading of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this 
document.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, go to http://www.regulations.gov and insert the 
docket number(s), found in brackets in the heading of this document, 
into the ``Search'' box and follow the prompts and/or go to the 
Division of Dockets Management, 5630 Fishers Lane, Rm. 1061, Rockville, 
MD 20852.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jane Van Doren, Center for Food Safety 
and Applied Nutrition (HFS-005), Food and Drug Administration, 5100 
Paint Branch Pkwy., College Park, MD 20740, 240-402-2927.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    In the Federal Register of April 30, 2015, FDA published a notice 
announcing the availability of a risk assessment entitled 
``Multicriteria-Based Ranking Model for Risk Management of Animal Drug 
Residues in Milk and Milk Products,'' with a 90-day comment period to 
request comments on the risk assessment.
    We received a request for a 90-day extension of the comment period 
for the risk assessment. The request conveyed concern that the current 
90-day comment period does not allow sufficient time to develop 
meaningful or thoughtful comments to the risk assessment.
    FDA has considered the request and is extending the comment period 
for the risk assessment for 90 days, until October 27, 2015. We believe 
that a 90-

[[Page 45541]]

day extension allows adequate time for interested persons to submit 
comments.

II. Request for Comments

    Interested persons may submit either electronic comments regarding 
this document to http://www.regulations.gov or written comments to the 
Division of Dockets Management (see ADDRESSES). It is only necessary to 
send one set of comments. Identify comments 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, and will be posted to the docket at http://www.regulations.gov.

III. Electronic Access

    Persons with access to the Internet may obtain the risk assessment 
at http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodScienceResearch/RiskSafetyAssessment/ucm443549.htm.

    Dated: July 24, 2015.
Leslie Kux,
Associate Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2015-18668 Filed 7-29-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4164-01-P