[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 89 (Wednesday, May 10, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 21742]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-09410]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 89 / Wednesday, May 10, 2017 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 21742]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 205

[Document Number AMS-NOP-17-0031; NOP-15-06A]
RIN 0581-AD74


National Organic Program (NOP); Organic Livestock and Poultry 
Practices Second Proposed Rule

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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

SUMMARY: This proposed rule sets forth the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture's (USDA) intention to pursue one of several actions on the 
Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices Final Rule (FR) published in 
the Federal Register on January 19, 2017, by USDA's Agricultural 
Marketing Service (AMS). USDA is asking the public to comment on the 
possible actions USDA should take in regards to the disposition of the 
FR. The FR amends the organic livestock and poultry production 
requirements in the USDA organic regulations by adding new provisions 
for livestock handling and transport for slaughter and avian living 
conditions; and expands and clarifies existing requirements covering 
livestock care and production practices and mammalian living 
conditions. The FR was originally set to take effect on March 20, 2017, 
and is now being extended to November 14, 2017.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on 
this proposed rule on or before June 9, 2017.

ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit comments on the proposed rule by any 
of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Mail: Paul Lewis Ph.D., Director, Standards Division, 
National Organic Program, USDA-AMS-NOP, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., 
Room 2642-So., Ag Stop 0268, Washington, DC 20250-0268.
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the docket 
number AMS-NOP-17-0031; NOP-15-06A, and/or Regulatory Information 
Number (RIN) 0581-AD74 for this rulemaking. Your comments should 
clearly indicate whether or not you support an option presented in this 
proposed rule. You should clearly indicate the reason(s) for the stated 
position. All comments received and any relevant background documents 
will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov.
    Document: For access to the document and to read background 
documents or comments received, go to http://www.regulations.gov. 
Comments submitted in response to this proposed rule will also be 
available for viewing in person at USDA-AMS, National Organic Program, 
Room 2642-South Building, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC, 
from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday 
(except official Federal holidays). Persons wanting to visit the USDA 
South Building to view comments received in response to this proposed 
rule are requested to make an appointment in advance by calling (202) 
720-3252.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Lewis, Ph.D., Director, Standards 
Division, Telephone: (202) 702-3252; Fax: (202) 720-7808.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Consistent with the memorandum of January 20, 2017, to the heads of 
executive departments and agencies from the Assistant to the President 
and Chief of Staff entitled ``Regulatory Freeze Pending Review,'' AMS 
published in the Federal Register [82 FR 9967] a notice that delayed 
the effective date of the FR until May 19, 2017. Along with this 
proposed rule, AMS is also publishing a Notice in the Federal Register 
that further delays the effective date of the FR until November 14, 
2017.
    The FR amends the organic livestock and poultry production 
requirements of the USDA organic regulations by adding new provisions 
for livestock handling and transport for slaughter and avian living 
conditions; and expands and clarifies existing requirements covering 
livestock care and production practices and mammalian living 
conditions. The FR finalizes a proposed rule that AMS published in the 
Federal Register on April 13, 2016, 81 FR 21955.

Actions Being Considered

    Because there are significant policy and legal issues addressed 
within the FR that warrant further review by USDA, the public is being 
asked to comment on which of the following four actions they believe 
would be best for USDA to take with regard to the disposition of the 
FR. Specifically, the public should submit their comments on the 
following options:
    (1) Let the rule become effective. This means that the rule would 
become effective on November 14, 2017.
    (2) Suspend the rule indefinitely. During the suspension, USDA 
could consider whether to implement, modify or withdraw the final rule.
    (3) Delay the effective date of the rule further, beyond the 
effective date of November 14, 2017.
    (4) Withdraw the rule so that USDA would not pursue implementation 
of the rule.

Notice Delaying IFR Effective Date

    Concurrent with this proposed rule, AMS is publishing in the 
Federal Register a notice extending the effective date of the FR by 180 
days until November 14, 2017.

    Dated: May 4, 2017.
Bruce Summers,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-09410 Filed 5-9-17; 8:45 a.m.]
 BILLING CODE 3410-02-P