[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 135 (Thursday, July 14, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45449-45450]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-16703]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 135 / Thursday, July 14, 2016 / 
Notices  

[[Page 45449]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. AMS-LPS-16-0006]


U.S. Standards for Grades of Catfish and Catfish Products.

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice, request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) invites catfish 
producers, suppliers, processors, retailers, foodservice operators, and 
other interested stakeholders to provide background information, 
comments, and data to assist in the development of voluntary U.S. 
Standards for Grades of Catfish and Catfish Products. AMS is requesting 
comments concerning, but not limited to, the catfish quality standard 
that is currently implemented by the Department of Commerce (DOC), 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and National 
Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).

DATES: Comments, information, and data relating to this notice are due 
no later than September 12, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments, 
information, and data relating to this notice by using the electronic 
process available at http://www.regulations.gov, or email: 
[email protected]. Written comments, information, and data 
may also be submitted to Catfish Grade Standards, Quality Assessment 
Division (QAD), 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Stop 0258, Room 3932-S, 
Washington, DC 20250 or by facsimile to (202) 690-2746.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Bowden, Chief, Standardization 
Branch, QAD, Livestock, Poultry, and Seed Program, Agricultural 
Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence 
Avenue SW., Stop 0258, Room 3932-S, Washington, DC 20250, by phone 
(202) 690-3148, or via email: [email protected] or Bucky 
Gwartney, Marketing Specialist, Standardization Branch, QAD, Livestock, 
Poultry, and Seed Program at (202) 720-1424 or via email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Agricultural Act of 2014 (2014 U.S. Farm 
Bill) directed the Secretary of Agriculture to establish, within USDA, 
a voluntary fee-based grading program for catfish. Section 203(c) of 
the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (AMA) (7 U.S.C. 1621-1627) 
directs and authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture ``to develop and 
improve standards of quality, condition, quantity, grade, and 
packaging, and recommend and demonstrate such standards in order to 
encourage uniformity and consistency in commercial practices.'' USDA is 
committed to carrying out this authority in a manner that facilitates 
the marketing of agricultural products. One method of achieving this 
objective is through the development and maintenance of voluntary 
standards by AMS. AMS Livestock, Poultry, and Seed Program's QAD 
Standardization Branch develops and maintains product and carcass 
standards for many different protein commodities. The development of 
grade standards for catfish and catfish products will assist the USDA 
in meeting its obligations under the 2014 U.S. Farm Bill.

Background

    Since 1987, the NMFS has administered and applied the U.S. 
Standards for Grades of North American Freshwater Catfish and Products 
Made Therefrom (http://www.seafood.nmfs.noaa.gov/pdfs/catfish.pdf). 
While NMFS has a rigorous grading system, it may not be as recognizable 
to consumers as USDA graded products and is not utilized widely in the 
catfish industry. The longstanding USDA commodity grade standards are 
recognized, understood, valued, and expected by the consuming public.
    AMS voluntary grade standards exist for many commodities, including 
a wide range of fruits, vegetables, poultry, meat, shell eggs, dairy, 
cotton, and other agricultural commodities. The application of these 
grade standards in their respective industries allows for the 
segregation and differentiation of product in accordance with quality 
attributes. Furthermore, creation of a grade standard often leads to 
broader opportunities to develop branded products through AMS 
certification, which serves to expand the market for the particular 
commodity and allow for the marketing of premium products.
    The purpose of this Notice is to identify what the industry 
requires and needs in a catfish quality standard. We are seeking any 
recent research, industry data, and background information that will 
assist in the possible revision of or development of new catfish 
quality standards. Specific information is needed about catfish 
products, including both domestically produced and imported catfish, 
and how quality standards would promote value differentiation and 
create more objective market signals up and down the product and 
processing chain. Product standards also assist producers, processors, 
and retail segments in making informed management and marketing 
decisions. Additionally, any information regarding the use of quality 
specifications for value differentiation would be helpful.
    To assist AMS in the potential development of catfish grade 
standards, background information, comments, and data are requested 
concerning the following:
    1. Is there a need for AMS to develop a new voluntary catfish grade 
standards? If yes:
    a. What key components should be included in the new voluntary 
standards for grades of catfish and catfish products?
    b. What catfish and catfish product factors are currently being 
used by catfish producers, processors, and marketers to determine 
value?
    c. Should voluntary grade standards for catfish include both 
quality and cutability (yield) determinations?
    d. Are there currently any established industry catfish and catfish 
products standards being used by producers, processors, or marketers 
that could be useful in developing new AMS catfish and catfish products 
grade standards?
    e. What are the consumer's expectations of catfish quality and how 
should a standard reflect those expectations?
    f. How many tiers or levels of quality and/or yield should a 
catfish standard set forth?
    g. Are there any additional species of farm-raised fish or farm-
raised shellfish

[[Page 45450]]

that AMS should take into consideration for a voluntary grading 
program?
    AMS is soliciting comments from stakeholders about whether changes 
in the catfish quality grade standards should be made, and if so, what 
specific changes should be made. If after analyzing the comments, AMS 
determines that changes are warranted, a notice will be published in 
the Federal Register proposing specific changes. Interested parties 
will have an opportunity to comment prior to a final decision adopting 
any changes.
    Therefore, we request your input regarding any catfish and catfish 
products background information, technical data, or research that you 
think will assist us on this matter.

    Dated: June 11, 2016.
Elanor Starmer,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-16703 Filed 7-13-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P