[Federal Register: January 31, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 21)]
[Notices]               
[Page 5789]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr31ja08-31]                         

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Notices
                                                Federal Register
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or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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[[Page 5789]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. AMS-LS-07-0131]

 
United States Standards for Livestock and Meat Marketing Claims, 
Naturally Raised Claim for Livestock and the Meat and Meat Products 
Derived From Such Livestock

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Reopening and Extension of the Comment Period.

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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is reopening and 
extending the comment period for the proposed voluntary standard for a 
naturally raised marketing claim that was published in the Federal 
Register on November 28, 2007 (72 FR 67266).

DATES: Comments must be received by March 3, 2008 to be assured of 
consideration.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments 
concerning this proposal. Comments should be submitted through the Web 
site at http://www.regulations.gov. Send written comments to: Naturally 
Raised Marketing Claim, Room 2607-S, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-0254, or by facsimile to (202) 720-
1112. All comments should reference the docket number. Comments 
received will be posted on the Web site at http://www.regulations.gov 
and will be made available for public inspection at the above physical 
address during regular business hours.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Martin E. O'Connor, Chief, Standards, 
Analysis, and Technology Branch, Livestock and Seed Program, AMS, USDA, 
Room 2607-S, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-0254; 
facsimile: (202) 720-1112; telephone: (202) 720-4486; or e-mail: 
Martin.OConnor@usda.gov. Additional information can also be found by 
accessing the Web site at http://www.ams.usda.gov/lsg/stand/
naturalclaim.htm.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 203(c) of the Agricultural Marketing 
Act of 1946, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1622), 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 way of achieving this objective is through 
the development and maintenance of voluntary standards by AMS. AMS is 
seeking comments on a proposed voluntary U.S. Standard for Livestock 
and Meat Marketing Claims, Naturally Raised Claim for Livestock and the 
Meat and Meat Products Derived from such Livestock, in accordance with 
procedures that are contained in Title 7 Part 36 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations.
    On November 28, 2007, AMS published a notice (72 FR 67266) with 
request for comments for the proposed voluntary standard for a 
naturally raised marketing claim. The comment period closed on January 
28, 2008. However, a number of interested producers, processors, and 
marketers have requested additional time to evaluate the full impact of 
the requirements of the proposed standard in order to provide more 
meaningful and substantive comments. Therefore, AMS has determined that 
there is sufficient justification to reopen and extend the comment 
period.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627.

    Dated: January 25, 2008.
Kenneth C. Clayton,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. E8-1722 Filed 1-30-08; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-02-P