# Removal of U.S. Grade Standards and Other Selected Regulations > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A96-5716 ## Record - **Collection:** Federal Register - **Document type:** Rule - **Published:** March 11, 1996 - **Citation:** 61 FR 9589 ## Text 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 --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A96-5716. Public record. Not legal advice.