Rules and Regulations. Proposed rule; extension of comment period

Agency: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA
Action: Proposed rule; extension of comment period
Citation: 68 FR (No. 17) · FR Doc. 03-1752 · RIN 0579-AB13 · Docket No. 99-017-2 · 9 CFR 71

Summary

We are extending the comment period for our proposed rule regarding the collection of blood and tissue samples at slaughtering establishments. In that document, we proposed, among other things, to establish requirements for the collection of blood and tissue samples from livestock (horses, cattle, bison, captive cervids, sheep and goats, swine, and other farm animals) and poultry at slaughtering establishments when it is necessary for disease surveillance. This action will allow interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments.

Dates

We will consider all comments that we receive on or before March 28, 2003.

Supplementary Information

Background On November 27, 2002, we published in the Federal Register (67 FR 70864-70875, Docket No. 99-017-1) a proposal to amend the regulations in 9 CFR part 71 to establish requirements for the collection of blood and tissue samples from livestock (horses, cattle, bison, captive cervids, sheep and goats, swine, and other farm animals) and poultry at slaughtering establishments when it is necessary for disease surveillance. We also proposed to require that livestock or poultry moved interstate for slaughter be moved only to a slaughtering establishment that has been listed by the Administrator and provided proposed criteria for the listing of establishments. Comments on the proposed rule were required to be received on or before January 27, 2003. We are extending the comment period on Docket No. 99-017-1 for an additional 60 days, ending March 28, 2003. This action will allow interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments. Authority: 7 U.S.C. 8304-8306, 8308, 8310, 8313, and 8315; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.4. Done in Washington, DC, this 21st day of January 2003. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 03-1752 Filed 1-24-03; 8:45 am]