82 FR 27679 - Changes to the Inspection Coverage in Official Establishments That Slaughter Fish of the Order Siluriformes

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food Safety and Inspection Service

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 115 (June 16, 2017)

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is extending until July 17, 2017, the comment period for its plan to adjust inspection coverage at official establishments that slaughter fish of the order Siluriformes, which include catfish, from all hours of operation to once per production shift.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 115 (Friday, June 16, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27679-27680]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-12556]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

[Docket No. FSIS-2017-0003]


Changes to the Inspection Coverage in Official Establishments 
That Slaughter Fish of the Order Siluriformes

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is extending 
until July 17, 2017, the comment period for its plan to adjust 
inspection coverage at official establishments that slaughter fish of 
the order Siluriformes, which include catfish, from all hours of 
operation to once per production shift.

[[Page 27680]]


DATES: Submit comments on or before July 17, 2017.

ADDRESSES: FSIS invites interested persons to submit comments relevant 
to adjusting inspection coverage as discussed and outlined in this 
notice. Only comments addressing the scope of this notice will be 
considered. Comments may be submitted by one of the following methods:
    Federal eRulemaking Portal: This Web site provides the ability to 
type short comments directly into the comment field on this Web page or 
attach a file for lengthier comments. Go to http://www.regulations.gov/. Follow the on-line instructions at that site for 
submitting comments.
    Mail, CD-ROMs: Send to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Patriots Plaza 3, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW., Mailstop 3782, Room 8-163B, Washington, DC 
20250-3700.
    Hand- or courier-delivered submittals: Deliver to Patriots Plaza 3, 
355 E. Street SW., Room 8-163A, Washington, DC 20250-3700.
    Instructions: All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must 
include the Agency name and docket number FSIS-2017-0003. Comments 
received in response to this docket will be made available for public 
inspection and posted without change, including any personal 
information, to http://www.regulations.gov.
    Docket: For access to background documents or to comments received, 
go to the FSIS Docket Room at Patriots Plaza 3, 355 E. Street SW., Room 
164-A, Washington, DC 20250-3700 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., 
Monday through Friday.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rachel Edelstein, Deputy Assistant 
Administrator, Office of Policy and Program Development; Telephone: 
(202) 205-0495, or by Fax: (202) 720-2025.

Background

    On May 17, 2017, FSIS published a notice announcing that it will be 
adjusting its inspection coverage at official Siluriformes fish 
slaughter establishments, starting September 1, 2017, the date of full 
enforcement of the regulatory requirements for fish, from all hours of 
operation to once per production shift. This decision is based on the 
Agency's experience inspecting fish slaughter establishments since 
implementing the mandatory inspection program on March 1, 2016. FSIS 
requested comment on this decision on or before June 16, 2017.
    A consumer advocacy organization requested that FSIS extend the 
comment period by 30 days, while it researches the implications of the 
decision, so as to make informed comments. FSIS agrees to extend the 
comment period. The comment period will now end on July 17, 2017.

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

    No agency, officer, or employee of the USDA shall, on the grounds 
of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual 
orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, 
income derived from a public assistance program, or political beliefs, 
exclude from participation in, deny the benefits of, or subject to 
discrimination any person in the United States under any program or 
activity conducted by the USDA.
    To file a complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program 
Discrimination Complaint Form, which may be accessed online at http://www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2012/Complain_combined_6_8_12.pdf, or write a letter signed by you or your 
authorized representative.
    Send your completed complaint form or letter to USDA by mail, fax, 
or email:
    Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of 
Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410.
    Fax: (202) 690-7442 .
    Email: [email protected].
    Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for 
communication (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact 
USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

Additional Public Notification

    FSIS will announce this notice online through the FSIS Web page 
located at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/federal-register.
    FSIS will also make copies of this Federal Register publication 
available through the FSIS Constituent Update, which is used to provide 
information regarding FSIS policies, procedures, regulations, Federal 
Register notices, FSIS public meetings, and other types of information 
that could affect or would be of interest to constituents and 
stakeholders. The Update is communicated via Listserv, a free 
electronic mail subscription service for industry, trade groups, 
consumer interest groups, health professionals, and other individuals 
who have asked to be included. The Update is also available on the FSIS 
Web page. In addition, FSIS offers an electronic mail subscription 
service which provides automatic and customized access to selected food 
safety news and information. This service is available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/subscribe. Options range from recalls to export 
information to regulations, directives, and notices. Customers can add 
or delete subscriptions themselves, and have the option to password 
protect their accounts.

    Done at Washington, DC, on June 13, 2017.
Alfred V. Almanza,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2017-12556 Filed 6-15-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P