Removal of U.S. Grade Standards and Other Selected Regulations

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the time period for filing

comments is reopened and extended on the interim final rule published

in the December 4, 1995, issue of the Federal Register (60 FR 62172-

62181). The comment period is extended until July 9, 1996. The comment

period is extended to allow interested parties adequate time to

comment.

DATES: Comments must be received by July 9, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments

concerning this interim final rule. Comments must be submitted in

duplicate, signed, include the address of the sender, and should bear

reference to the date and page number of this issue of the Federal

Register. Commentors are encouraged to include definitive information

which explains and supports the sender's views. Written comments may be

mailed to Eric Forman, Deputy Director, Fruit and Vegetable Division,

USDA, AMS, Room 2085-S, P.O. Box 96456, Washington, DC 20090-6456.

Comments will be available for public inspection during regular

business hours in Room 2085-South Building; 14th Street and

Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, D.C.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric Forman (202) 690-0262.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 4, 1995, an interim final rule

was published in the Federal Register requesting comments on USDA's

initiative to remove voluntary U.S. grade standards and other selected

regulations covering a number of agricultural commodities (dairy

products, tobacco, wool, mohair, fresh and processed fruits and

vegetables, livestock, meats and meat products, eggs, and poultry and

rabbit products) from the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Comments

were to be received by February 2, 1996.

On January 31, 1996, we received a comment from the American Dairy

Products Institute (ADPI) requesting that implementation of the removal

of grade standards for dairy products from the CFR be postponed and

that the period for comment be extended for an additional 120 days. On

February 2, 1996, we received a comment from the American Meat

Institute (AMI) requesting that the comment period be extended for an

additional 60 days to allow time for clarification of the procedures

for developing and revising standards that will ensure that industry

will be able to comment on, and receive responses to, their concerns

about future modifications to grade standards.

Both commentors expressed several of their concerns and the

importance of having the comment period extended to allow additional

time for their members to truly evaluate this initiative and the full

impact it would have on their industry. This rule was developed in

response to the President's regulatory review initiative. This provided

the impetus to develop new approaches to meet more effectively the

needs of U.S. industry, government agencies, and consumers and still

reduce the regulatory burden. As part of this initiative, voluntary

standards that are currently in the CFR and are administered by AMS are

being removed from that publication. This rule eliminates selected

regulations which encompass approximately 1,200 pages of the CFR. With

respect to the official grade standards, this includes all the

standards except those which are currently in the rulemaking process,

or are incorporated by reference in marketing orders/agreements

appearing at 7 CFR Parts 900 through 999 or those necessary for

implementing government price support. Those grade standards will

continue to appear in the CFR, although they will also be available in

separate publications along with all other grade standards, except

those for wool and mohair. Standards for wool and mohair and related

regulations will be removed from the CFR and will no longer be

available since there is no demand for services pertaining to wool or

mohair.

Since the Department has no objection to the requests for extension

of the comment period, we suggest that the period be reopened and

extended for an additional 120 days. Accordingly, the comment period is

extended to July 9, 1996.

List of Subjects

7 CFR Part 29

Administrative practice and procedure, Advisory committees,

Government publications, Imports, Pesticides and pests, Reporting and

recordkeeping requirements, Tobacco.

7 CFR Part 31

Wool.

7 CFR Part 32

Mohair.

7 CFR Part 51

Agricultural commodities, Food grades and standards, Fruits, Nuts,

Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Trees, Vegetables.

7 CFR Part 52

Food grades and standards, Food labeling, Frozen foods, Fruit

juices, Fruits, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Vegetables.

7 CFR Part 53

Cattle, Hogs, Livestock, Sheep.

7 CFR Part 54

Food grades and standards, Food labeling, Meat and meat products.

7 CFR Part 56

Eggs and egg products, Food grades and standards, Food labeling,

Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

7 CFR Part 58

Dairy products, Food grades and standards, Food labeling, Reporting

and recordkeeping requirements.

[[Page 9590]]

7 CFR Part 70

Food grades and standards, Food labeling, Poultry and poultry

products, Rabbits and rabbit products, Reporting and recordkeeping

requirements.

7 CFR Part 160

Administrative practice and procedure, Advertising, Forests and

forest products, Labeling, Packaging and containers, Reporting and

recordkeeping requirements.

Dated: February 29, 1996.

David N. Lewis,

Acting Administrator.

[FR Doc. 96-5716 Filed 3-8-96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-02-P