[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 53 (Monday, March 20, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 16576]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-05575]


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 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 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.
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  Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 53 / Monday, March 20, 2023 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 16576]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

9 CFR Parts 71, 77, 78, and 86

[Docket No. APHIS-2021-0020]
RIN 0579-AE64


Use of Electronic Identification Eartags as Official 
Identification in Cattle and Bison

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: We are extending the comment period for our proposed rule that 
would amend the animal disease traceability regulations. The proposed 
rule would require that eartags applied on or after a date 6 months 
(180 days) after publication in the Federal Register of a final rule 
following the proposed rule to be both visually and electronically 
readable in order to be recognized for use as official eartags for 
interstate movement of cattle and bison covered under the regulations. 
We also proposed to clarify certain record retention and record access 
requirements and revise some requirements pertaining to slaughter 
cattle. This action will allow interested persons additional time to 
prepare and submit comments.

DATES: The comment period for the proposed rule published on January 
19, 2023 (88 FR 3320) is extended. We will consider all comments that 
we receive on or before April 19, 2023.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods: 
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov. Enter APHIS-
2021-0020 in the Search field. Select the Documents tab, then select 
the Comment button in the list of documents.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2021-0020, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, 
APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-
1238.
    Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may 
be viewed at Regulations.gov or in our reading room, which is located 
in room 1620 of the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence 
Avenue SW, Washington, DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is 
there to help you, please call (202) 799-7039 before coming.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Aaron Scott, Director, National 
Animal Disease Traceability and Veterinary Accreditation Center, 
Strategy & Policy, Veterinary Services, APHIS, 2150 Centre Ave., Fort 
Collins, CO 80526; [email protected]; (970) 494-7249

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 19, 2023, we published in the 
Federal Register (88 FR 3320, Docket No. APHIS-2021-0020) a proposed 
rule \1\ that would require that eartags applied on or after a date 6 
months (180 days) after publication in the Federal Register of a final 
rule following the proposed rule to be both visually and electronically 
readable in order to be recognized for use as official eartags for 
interstate movement of cattle and bison covered under the regulations. 
We also proposed to clarify certain record retention and record access 
requirements and revise some requirements pertaining to slaughter 
cattle.
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    \1\ To view the proposed rule, supporting documents, and public 
comments, go to www.regulations.gov. Enter APHIS-2021-0020 in the 
Search field.
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    Comments on the proposed rule were required to be received on or 
before March 20, 2023. We are extending the comment period on Docket 
No. APHIS-2021-0020 until April 19, 2023. This action will allow 
interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 8301-8317; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.4.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 14th day of March, 2023.
Michael Watson,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-05575 Filed 3-17-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P