81 FR 45449 - U.S. Standards for Grades of Catfish and Catfish Products.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 135 (July 14, 2016)

Page Range		45449-45450
FR Document		2016-16703

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).

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 135 (Thursday, July 14, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 135 (Thursday, July 14, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45449-45450]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-16703]


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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.

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

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

45450 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 135 / Thursday, July 14, 2016 / Notices

that AMS should take into consideration may be viewed at http:// studies will be kept confidential and
for a voluntary grading program? www.regulations.gov/ will not be disclosed in any identifiable
AMS is soliciting comments from #!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2016-0023 or form. Only NAHMS staff and designated
stakeholders about whether changes in in our reading room, which is located in agents will be permitted access to
the catfish quality grade standards Room 1141 of the USDA South individual-level data. All information
should be made, and if so, what specific Building, 14th Street and Independence acquired under antimicrobial use
changes should be made. If after Avenue SW., Washington, DC. Normal studies will be used for statistical
analyzing the comments, AMS reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 purposes only.
determines that changes are warranted, p.m., Monday through Friday, except APHIS plans to initiate two annual
a notice will be published in the holidays. To be sure someone is there to antimicrobial use studies, one on cattle
Federal Register proposing specific help you, please call (202) 799–7039 feedlots and one on swine operations.
changes. Interested parties will have an before coming. The studies’ objectives are to describe
opportunity to comment prior to a final FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For antimicrobial use practices on livestock
decision adopting any changes. information on the Antimicrobial Use operations annually, including the
Therefore, we request your input Studies, contact Mr. William Kelley, impacts of U.S. Food and Drug
regarding any catfish and catfish Supervisory Management and Program Administration policy changes. The
products background information, Analyst, Center for Epidemiology and antimicrobial use studies will consist of
technical data, or research that you Animal Health, VS, APHIS, 2150 Centre Antimicrobial Use Producer Agreements
think will assist us on this matter. Avenue, Building B, MS 2E6, Fort and questionnaires administered by
Dated: June 11, 2016. Collins, CO 80526; (970) 494–7270. For National Agricultural Statistics Service
copies of more detailed information on personnel. Information collected will be
Elanor Starmer,
the information collection, contact Ms. analyzed and organized by NAHMS into
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing one or more descriptive reports
Service. Kimberly Hardy, APHIS’ Information
Collection Coordinator, at (301) 851– containing summary statistics. The
[FR Doc. 2016–16703 Filed 7–13–16; 8:45 am]
2727. information will be used to describe
BILLING CODE 3410–02–P current antimicrobial use practices; help
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: policymakers and industry make
Title: National Animal Health informed decisions; assist researchers
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Monitoring System; Antimicrobial Use and private enterprise in identifying and
Studies. focusing on vital issues related to
Animal and Plant Health Inspection OMB Control Number: 0579–XXXX.
Service antimicrobial use; facilitate education of
Type of Request: Approval of a new
future producers and veterinarians; and
[Docket No. APHIS–2016–0023] information collection.
collect data capable of informing
Abstract: Under the Animal Health
responses to objectives 2.4.3 and 2.4.4 of
Notice of Request for Approval of an Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8301 et seq.),
the National Action Plan for Combating
Information Collection; National the Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria.
Animal Health Monitoring System; Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department
We are asking OMB to approve our
Antimicrobial Use Studies of Agriculture is authorized, among
use of these information collection
other things, to protect the health of
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health activities for 3 years.
U.S. livestock and poultry populations The purpose of this notice is to solicit
Inspection Service, USDA. by preventing the introduction and comments from the public (as well as
ACTION: New information collection; interstate spread of serious diseases and affected agencies) concerning our
comment request. pests of livestock and by eradicating information collection. These comments
such diseases from the United States will help us:
SUMMARY: In accordance with the when feasible. In connection with this
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this (1) Evaluate whether the collection of
mission, APHIS operates the National information is necessary for the proper
notice announces the Animal and Plant Animal Health Monitoring System
Health Inspection Service’s intention to performance of the functions of the
(NAHMS), which collects data on the Agency, including whether the
request approval of a new information prevalence and economic importance of
collection associated with the National information will have practical utility;
livestock diseases and associated risk (2) Evaluate the accuracy of our
Animal Health Monitoring System’s factors.
studies on antimicrobial use in cattle estimate of the burden of the collection
NAHMS’ national studies are a of information, including the validity of
feedlot and swine operations. collaborative industry and government the methodology and assumptions used;
DATES: We will consider all comments initiative to help determine the most (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and
that we receive on or before September effective means of preventing and clarity of the information to be
12, 2016. controlling diseases of livestock. APHIS collected; and
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments is the only agency responsible for (4) Minimize the burden of the
by either of the following methods: collecting data on livestock health. collection of information on those who
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to On March 20, 2012, NAHMS was are to respond, through use, as
http://www.regulations.gov/ recognized by the Office of Management appropriate, of automated, electronic,
#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2016-0023. and Budget (OMB) as a statistical unit
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

mechanical, and other collection
• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: under the Confidential Information technologies; e.g., permitting electronic
Send your comment to Docket No. Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act submission of responses.
APHIS–2016–0023, Regulatory Analysis of 2002. In accordance with the Estimate of burden: The public
and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station Confidential Information Protection reporting burden for this collection of
3A–03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, provisions of Title V, Subtitle A, Public information is estimated to average
Riverdale, MD 20737–1238. Law 107–347, and other applicable 0.4276 hours per response.
Supporting documents and any Federal laws, all data provided to Respondents: Cattle feedlot personnel
comments we receive on this docket NAHMS under the antimicrobial use and swine owners and operators.

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Document Created: 2016-07-14 01:55:08
Document Modified: 2016-07-14 01:55:08

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice, request for comments.
Dates		Comments, information, and data relating to this notice are due no later than September 12, 2016.
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]
FR Citation		81 FR 45449

81 FR 45449 - U.S. Standards for Grades of Catfish and Catfish Products.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUREAgricultural Marketing Service

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 135 (July 14, 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service