New Animal Drugs for Use in Animal Feed; Category Definitions, 57796-57800 [2016-20148]
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 164 / Wednesday, August 24, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
4. Letter dated May 3, 2016, from Society of
Plastics Industry, Inc., and other
organizations to Michael Taylor and
Stephen Ostroff of FDA.
5. FDA, ‘‘Part 117. FSMA Final Rulemaking
for Current Good Manufacturing Practice
and Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based
Preventive Controls for Human Food:
Final Regulatory Impact Analysis, Final
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis, Final
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
Analysis, and Final Paperwork
Reduction Act Analysis,’’ 2015. (https://
www.fda.gov/downloads/AboutFDA/
ReportsManualsForms/Reports/
EconomicAnalyses/UCM472884.pdf).
6. FDA, ‘‘Final Regulatory Impact Analysis,
Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis,
and Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
Analysis for the Standards for the
Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and
Holding of Produce for Human
Consumption,’’ 2015. (https://
www.fda.gov/downloads/AboutFDA/
ReportsManualsForms/Reports/
EconomicAnalyses/UCM472330.pdf).
Dated: August 18, 2016.
Jeremy Sharp,
Deputy Commissioner for Policy, Planning,
Legislation, and Analysis.
[FR Doc. 2016–20176 Filed 8–23–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4164–01–P
Food and Drug Administration
21 CFR Part 558
[Docket No. FDA–2016–N–1896]
New Animal Drugs for Use in Animal
Feed; Category Definitions
Food and Drug Administration,
HHS.
ACTION:
Direct final rule.
The Food and Drug
Administration (FDA, the Agency, we)
is amending the animal drug regulations
by revising the definitions of the two
categories of new animal drugs used in
medicated feeds to base category
assignment only on approved uses in
major animal species. This revision will
preserve the availability of medicated
feeds intended for therapeutic use in
minor animal species and prevent a
significant disincentive for future
development of additional minor
species therapies.
DATES: This rule is effective December 1,
2016. Submit either electronic or
written comments by November 7, 2016.
See Section IV for further discussion of
the effective date.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
as follows:
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SUMMARY:
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Submit electronic comments in the
following way:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
Comments submitted electronically,
including attachments, to https://
www.regulations.gov will be posted to
the docket unchanged. Because your
comment will be made public, you are
solely responsible for ensuring that your
comment does not include any
confidential information that you or a
third party may not wish to be posted,
such as medical information, your or
anyone else’s Social Security number, or
confidential business information, such
as a manufacturing process. Please note
that if you include your name, contact
information, or other information that
identifies you in the body of your
comments, that information will be
posted on https://www.regulations.gov.
• If you want to submit a comment
with confidential information that you
do not wish to be made available to the
public, submit the comment as a
written/paper submission and in the
manner detailed (see ‘‘Written/Paper
Submissions’’ and ‘‘Instructions’’).
Written/Paper Submissions
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
AGENCY:
Electronic Submissions
Submit written/paper submissions as
follows:
• Mail/Hand delivery/Courier (for
written/paper submissions): Division of
Dockets Management (HFA–305), Food
and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers
Lane, Rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852.
• For written/paper comments
submitted to the Division of Dockets
Management, FDA will post your
comment, as well as any attachments,
except for information submitted,
marked and identified, as confidential,
if submitted as detailed in
‘‘Instructions.’’
Instructions: All submissions received
must include the Docket No. FDA–
2016–N–1896 for ‘‘Category Definitions
For Minor Species.’’ Received
comments will be placed in the docket
and, except for those submitted as
‘‘Confidential Submissions,’’ publicly
viewable at https://www.regulations.gov
or at the Division of Dockets
Management between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.,
Monday through Friday.
• Confidential Submissions—To
submit a comment with confidential
information that you do not wish to be
made publicly available, submit your
comments only as a written/paper
submission. You should submit two
copies total. One copy will include the
information you claim to be confidential
with a heading or cover note that states
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‘‘THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.’’ The
Agency will review this copy, including
the claimed confidential information, in
its consideration of comments. The
second copy, which will have the
claimed confidential information
redacted/blacked out, will be available
for public viewing and posted on https://
www.regulations.gov. Submit both
copies to the Division of Dockets
Management. If you do not wish your
name and contact information to be
made publicly available, you can
provide this information on the cover
sheet and not in the body of your
comments and you must identify this
information as ‘‘confidential.’’ Any
information marked as ‘‘confidential’’
will not be disclosed except in
accordance with 21 CFR 10.20 and other
applicable disclosure law. For more
information about FDA’s posting of
comments to public dockets, see 80 FR
56469, September 18, 2015, or access
the information at: https://www.fda.gov/
regulatoryinformation/dockets/
default.htm.
Docket: For access to the docket to
read background documents or the
electronic and written/paper comments
received, go to https://
www.regulations.gov and insert the
docket number found in brackets in the
heading of this document, into the
‘‘Search’’ box and follow the prompts
and/or go to the Division of Dockets
Management, 5630 Fishers Lane, Rm.
1061, Rockville, MD 20852.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
David Edwards, Center for Veterinary
Medicine (HFV–220), Food and Drug
Administration, 7519 Standish Pl.,
Rockville, MD 20855, 240–402–6205,
david.edwards@fda.hhs.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
I. Executive Summary
A. Purpose of the Direct Final Rule
B. Summary of the Major Provisions of the
Direct Final Rule
C. Legal Authority
D. Costs and Benefits
II. Background
III. Provisions of the Regulation
IV. Direct Final Rulemaking
V. Legal Authority
VI. Economic Analysis of Impacts
VII. Analysis of Environmental Impact
VIII. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
IX. Federalism
X. References
I. Executive Summary
A. Purpose of the Direct Final Rule
FDA is issuing this direct final rule to
revise the definitions of the two
categories of new animal drugs used in
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medicated feeds to base category
assignment only on approved uses in
major animal species. This action is
being taken to address a potential
consequence of animal drug sponsor
cooperation in implementing a strategy
initiated by the FDA Center for
Veterinary Medicine (CVM) to address
antimicrobial resistance by taking
measures to ensure the judicious use of
antimicrobial drugs in animal
agriculture. Under this program,
sponsors of antimicrobial new animal
drugs that also have importance in
human medicine were requested to
voluntarily withdraw approval of
production (e.g., growth production,
feed efficiency) indications for their
drug products that are intended for use
in the feed or water of food-producing
animals. Based on the existing drug
category definitions, the voluntary
withdrawal of production indications by
these drug sponsors would, in some
cases, result in a change to a medicated
feed drug’s category, potentially leading
to additional consequences not foreseen
at the time the program was initiated.
The category in which a new animal
drug used in medicated feeds is placed
is based on their likelihood of
producing unsafe residues in the edible
products of treated animals. Category I
consists of those drugs that require no
withdrawal period at the lowest use
level in each species for which they are
approved. Category II consists of those
drugs that require a withdrawal period
at the lowest use level for at least one
species for which they are approved, or
that are regulated on a ‘‘no-residue’’
basis or with a zero tolerance because of
a carcinogenic concern, regardless of
whether a withdrawal period is
required.
New animal drugs approved for use in
medicated feeds are approved as Type A
medicated articles, the most
concentrated form of the drug product
for use by feed mills. Category I Type A
medicated articles can be handled by
both licensed and unlicensed feed mills,
whereas Category II Type A medicated
articles can be handled only by licensed
feed mills.
Certain Category I Type A medicated
articles would be recategorized to
Category II when a production
indication is voluntarily withdrawn by
a sponsor as part of the judicious use
initiative that is currently underway,
based on the next lowest use level that
remains once the production use is
withdrawn having a withdrawal period
such that the drug would then meet the
definition for Category II. For Category
I Type A medicated articles that include
indications for minor species, FDA is
concerned that if such a Type A
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medicated article is recategorized to
Category II based on a withdrawal
period for an approved therapeutic use
in a minor species, sponsors may opt to
request withdrawal of approval of these
minor species indications in order to
ensure the Type A medicated article can
remain in Category I. Sponsors may also
decline to pursue development of
additional therapies for minor species if
these uses would require a withdrawal
period that would trigger a
recategorization to Category II.
This direct final rule revises the
category definitions such that they will
be based only on whether a withdrawal
period is required for a major species.1
Under this new definition, a Category I
Type A medicated article will not be
recategorized to Category II based on the
existence of a withdrawal period for an
approved indication in a minor species,
even if that minor species indication is
the next lowest approved use level that
remains after the production indication
has been withdrawn. However, if the
next lowest use level (apart from the
minor species indication) is an
indication approved for use in a major
species that has a withdrawal period,
under the new definition the drug will
move to Category II.
The purpose of this revision is to
preserve the present availability of
medicated feeds intended for
therapeutic uses in minor species and to
prevent a significant disincentive for
future development of additional
therapies for minor species. We believe
this revision will not compromise
public health due to the comparatively
lower exposure by humans to potential
drug residues in edible tissues of foodproducing minor species inherent in
their less frequent consumption.
B. Summary of the Major Provisions of
the Direct Final Rule
FDA is amending 21 CFR 558.3
Definitions and general considerations
applicable to this part (§ 558.3) to base
the definition for each of the two
categories (Category I and Category II) of
new animal drugs used in medicated
feeds only on approved uses in major
species. Definitions for ‘‘major species’’
1 As a practical matter, categorization under the
revised definitions in this direct final rule will be
driven by approved indications for major foodproducing species (cattle, poultry, swine, and
turkeys). While the definition for major species
includes horses, dogs, and cats, they are not
regulated as food-producing major species and thus
drugs approved for use in these species do not
require an assessment of human food safety that
may result in assignment of a withdrawal period.
Minor species are defined as animals, other than
humans, that are not major species. Minor species
include animals such as sheep, goats, ducks, geese,
and aquaculture species such as catfish, salmon,
and trout.
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and ‘‘minor species’’ are also being
added to this section.
C. Legal Authority
FDA is issuing these regulations based
on its authority under the new animal
drug provisions in sections 512 of the
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
(the FD&C Act) (21 U.S.C. 360b) and
under section 701(a) of the FD&C Act
(21 U.S.C. 371(a)), which gives the
Agency general rulemaking authority to
issue regulations for the efficient
enforcement of the FD&C Act.
D. Costs and Benefits
The revisions made by this direct
final rule are intended to preserve the
availability of medicated feeds intended
for therapeutic use in minor animal
species. In addition, these revisions will
prevent a significant disincentive for
future development of additional
therapies for minor species. No
additional costs or benefits will accrue
from this rulemaking.
II. Background
FDA is issuing this direct final rule to
revise the definitions of the two
categories of new animal drugs used in
medicated feeds to base category
assignment only on approved uses in
major animal species. To strengthen the
Agency’s medicated feed program, FDA
issued a final rule in the Federal
Register of March 3, 1986 (51 FR 7382),
which, among other things, established
two categories of new animal drugs used
in medicated feeds. As discussed in the
final rule, the Agency placed these
drugs into categories based on their
likelihood of producing unsafe residues
in the edible products of treated animals
(51 FR 7382). Category I consists of
those drugs that require no withdrawal
period at the lowest use level in each
species for which they are approved.
Category II consists of those drugs that
require a withdrawal period at the
lowest use level for at least one species
for which they are approved, or that are
regulated on a ‘‘no-residue’’ basis or
with a zero tolerance because of a
carcinogenic concern, regardless of
whether a withdrawal period is
required.
New animal drugs approved for use in
medicated feeds are approved as Type A
medicated articles, the most
concentrated form of the drug product
for use by feed mills. Category I Type A
medicated articles can be handled by
both licensed and unlicensed feed mills,
whereas Category II Type A medicated
articles can be handled only by licensed
feed mills.
This action is being taken to address
a potential consequence of animal drug
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sponsor cooperation in implementing a
strategy initiated by CVM to address
antimicrobial resistance by taking
measures to ensure the judicious use of
antimicrobials of importance to human
medicine (i.e., medically important
antimicrobials) in animal agriculture.
Specifically, CVM’s initiative to ensure
the judicious use of medically important
antimicrobial drugs in animal
agriculture advocates two specific
changes to the approved conditions of
use of medically important
antimicrobials that are administered
through the medicated feed or water of
food-producing animals.
These changes, which are described
in Guidance for Industry (GFI) #213,
‘‘New Animal Drugs and New Animal
Drug Combination Products
Administered in or on Medicated Feed
or Drinking Water of Food-Producing
Animals: Recommendations for Drug
Sponsors for Voluntarily Aligning
Product Use Conditions with GFI #209,’’
published December 2013 (https://
www.fda.gov/downloads/
AnimalVeterinary/
GuidanceComplianceEnforcement/
GuidanceforIndustry/UCM299624.pdf),
are intended to reduce the development
of antimicrobial resistance and thereby
preserve the effectiveness of these
important drugs for use in treating
infections in humans. Following
publication of GFI #213, all sponsors of
these medically important antimicrobial
new animal drug products approved for
use in the feed or water of foodproducing animals notified FDA in
writing of their intent to voluntarily
make changes to their affected products
as outlined in the guidance.
Under GFI #213, sponsors of
medically important antimicrobial new
animal drugs approved for over-thecounter use in the feed or water of foodproducing animals were asked to change
the marketing status of their products to
veterinary prescription (Rx) marketing
status in the case of new animal drugs
administered in water, or to veterinary
feed directive (VFD) marketing status for
drugs administered in or on animal
feed. New animal drugs with Rx or VFD
marketing status can legally only be
used with a veterinarian’s oversight.
Prescription animal drugs require a
veterinarian’s prescription, while use of
VFD drugs requires a VFD; both types of
orders must be issued by a licensed
veterinarian in the course of the
veterinarian’s professional practice.
In addition, under GFI #213 sponsors
of medically important new animal
drugs used in animal feed or water that
have production indications were
requested to voluntarily withdraw these
indications; approved therapeutic
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indications for use of these drugs would
remain.
In some instances, once a sponsor
withdraws the production indication
from a drug approved for use in animal
feed (which is generally the lowest use
level of the drug), the remaining lowest
therapeutic use level will require a
withdrawal period. Based on the
existing definitions of the feed drug
categories, this results in a Category I
new animal drug being recategorized as
a Category II drug, the more restrictive
of the two possible categories of drugs
used in medicated feed. Category II
drugs require that the manufacture of
Type B and Type C medicated feeds
from Type A medicated articles be done
in facilities possessing a medicated feed
mill license, which number roughly 900
in the United States. In contrast, there
are tens of thousands of unlicensed feed
mills in this country. Such a
recategorization to Category II, thereby
limiting the use of the Type A
medicated article to a much smaller
subset of feed mills, may disrupt the
existing movement of these medicated
feeds through distribution channels.
FDA believes that sponsors may
request voluntary withdrawal of those
specific therapeutic indications as a way
to keep their products in the less
restrictive Category I when the
recategorization of a drug to Category II
is triggered by a therapeutic indication
for a minor species. For certain drug
products, the only therapeutic
indications requiring a withdrawal
period that would remain following the
voluntary withdrawal of approval of
production uses are those for minor
species. The loss of therapeutic
indications for minor species would
adversely affect the availability of
therapeutic medicated feeds necessary
for the health of minor species, which
is a matter of significant concern for the
Agency.
This foreseeable adverse effect on the
health of minor species would directly
undermine the intent of Congress in
passing the Minor Use and Minor
Species Animal Health Act of 2004
(Pub. L. 108–282) as well as to our
intent in establishing the implementing
regulations under that statute. The
Category I drugs likely to be affected
have been safely used in this category
for decades, and we have no reason to
believe they would not continue to be
safely used in this category moving
forward.
Under the current category definitions
in § 558.3 for feed use drugs, a drug will
be included in Category II if the lowest
use level of the drug in any approved
species requires a withdrawal period.
This approach equates the existence of
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a withdrawal period for a particular use
with the potential risk that edible
tissues from animals administered a
medicated feed might contain a residue
of concern.
However, the toxicological analysis of
animal drugs used to calculate a
withdrawal period is based on lifetime
exposure by humans to potential drug
residues. This assessment of lifetime
exposure does not consider the lower
risk to the public health from the use of
these same new animal drugs in foodproducing minor species attributable to
the lower human consumption over
time of edible tissues from foodproducing minor species (Refs. 1 and 2).
For this reason, FDA does not at this
time believe this revision of the category
definitions presents a risk to the public
health.
In a manner similar to its effect on
drug indications that are already
approved, CVM believes the existing
categorization scheme would pose a
significant disincentive for future
development of additional minor
species therapies for existing Category I
drugs if those new uses would require
a withdrawal period and thus trigger a
change to Category II for that drug.
Given the potential for
implementation of GFI #213 to result in
the foreseeable consequence of the
withdrawal of approval of needed
therapeutic indications for minor
species, the definitions of the two
categories of new animal drugs used in
medicated feeds in § 558.3 are being
revised to base category assignment only
on uses in major species. This revision
is expected to preserve the availability
of drugs intended for therapeutic use in
minor species and also prevent a
significant disincentive for future
development of additional therapies for
minor species without compromising
public health.
III. Provisions of the Regulation
We are amending paragraphs (b)(1)(i)
and (ii) of this Agency’s regulations at
§ 558.3 (Definitions and general
considerations applicable to this part.)
to base the definition for each of the two
categories of new animal drugs
(Category I and Category II) used in
medicated feeds only on approved uses
in major species. Section 558.3(b) is
further amended to add definitions for
‘‘major species’’ and ‘‘minor species’’
that are identical to the definitions of
those terms found in FDA’s regulations
for new animal drugs for minor use and
minor species (21 CFR 516.3). We are
revising the feed drug category
definitions in § 558.3 to preserve the
availability of medicated feeds intended
for use in minor species and prevent a
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likely disincentive for development of
additional therapies for minor species.
IV. Direct Final Rulemaking
FDA has determined that the subject
of this rulemaking is suitable for a direct
final rule. FDA is amending
§ 558.3(b)(1) by revising the definitions
of Category I and Category II new animal
drugs administered in or on medicated
feed. This rule is intended to make
noncontroversial changes to existing
regulations. The Agency does not
anticipate receiving any significant
adverse comments on this rule.
Consistent with FDA’s procedures on
direct final rulemaking, we are
publishing elsewhere in this issue of the
Federal Register a companion proposed
rule. The companion proposed rule and
this direct final rule are substantively
identical. The companion proposed rule
provides the procedural framework
within which the rule may be finalized
in the event the direct final rule is
withdrawn because of any significant
adverse comment. The comment period
for this direct final rule runs
concurrently with the comment period
of the companion proposed rule. Any
comments received in response to the
companion proposed rule will also be
considered as comments regarding this
direct final rule.
FDA is providing a comment period
for the direct final rule of 75 days after
the date of publication in the Federal
Register. If FDA receives a significant
adverse comment, we intend to
withdraw this direct final rule before its
effective date by publication of a notice
in the Federal Register within 30 days
after the comment period ends. A
significant adverse comment is one that
explains why the rule would be
inappropriate, including challenges to
the rule’s underlying premise or
approach, or would be ineffective or
unacceptable without a change. In
determining whether an adverse
comment is significant and warrants
withdrawing a direct final rule, the
Agency will consider whether the
comment raises an issue serious enough
to warrant a substantive response in a
notice-and-comment process in
accordance with section 553 of the
Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5
U.S.C. 553).
Comments that are frivolous,
insubstantial, or outside the scope of
this direct final rule will not be
considered significant or adverse under
this procedure. For example, a comment
recommending a regulation change in
addition to those in the rule would not
be considered a significant adverse
comment unless the comment states
why the rule would be ineffective
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without the additional change. In
addition, if a significant adverse
comment applies to an amendment,
paragraph, or section of this rule and
that provision can be severed from the
remainder of the rule, FDA may adopt
as final those provisions of the rule that
are not the subject of a significant
adverse comment.
If FDA withdraws the direct final rule,
all comments received will be
considered under the companion
proposed rule in developing a final rule
under the usual notice-and-comment
procedures under the APA (5 U.S.C. 552
et seq.). If FDA does not receive a
significant adverse comment in
response to the direct final rule, the
Agency will publish, within 30 days
after the comment period ends, a
document in the Federal Register
confirming the effective date of the final
rule. The Agency intends to make the
direct final rule effective December 1,
2016.
A full description of FDA’s policy on
direct final rule procedures may be
found in a guidance document
announced in the Federal Register of
November 21, 1997 (62 FR 62466). The
guidance document may be accessed at:
https://www.fda.gov/
RegulatoryInformation/Guidances/
ucm125166.htm.
V. Legal Authority
We are issuing these regulations
under the legal authority provided by
section 512 of the FD&C Act relating to
new animal drugs and section 701(a) of
the FD&C Act. Section 512 gives FDA
the authority to approve new animal
drug applications (NADAs). Such
approval establishes conditions of use
under which the drug can be used in a
safe and effective manner.
Categorization of new animal drugs
used in medicated feeds is one such
condition of use. In addition, section
701(a) of the FD&C Act gives FDA
general rulemaking authority to issue
regulations for the efficient enforcement
of the FD&C Act.
VI. Economic Analysis of Impacts
We have examined the impacts of the
direct final rule under Executive Order
12866, Executive Order 13563, the
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C.
601–612), and the Unfunded Mandates
Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–4).
Executive Orders 12866 and 13563
direct us to assess all costs and benefits
of available regulatory alternatives and,
when regulation is necessary, to select
regulatory approaches that maximize
net benefits (including potential
economic, environmental, public health
and safety, and other advantages;
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57799
distributive impacts; and equity). We
believe that this direct final rule is not
a significant regulatory action as defined
by Executive Order 12866.
The Regulatory Flexibility Act
requires Agencies to analyze regulatory
options that would minimize any
significant impact of a rule on small
entities. Because this direct final rule
would not impose any compliance costs
on the sponsors of animal drug products
that are currently marketed or in
development, we certify that this direct
final rule will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities.
The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
of 1995 (section 202(a)) requires us to
prepare a written statement, which
includes an assessment of anticipated
costs and benefits, before issuing ‘‘any
rule that includes any Federal mandate
that may result in the expenditure by
State, local, and tribal governments, in
the aggregate, or by the private sector, of
$100,000,000 or more (adjusted
annually for inflation) in any one year.’’
The current threshold after adjustment
for inflation is $146 million, using the
most current (2015) Implicit Price
Deflator for the Gross Domestic Product.
This direct final rule would not result
in an expenditure in any year that meets
or exceeds this amount.
This direct final rule allows certain
new animal drugs approved for use in
animal feed that would otherwise be
recategorized as Category II drugs under
the current definitions in § 558.3
following withdrawal of approval of
production indications during GFI #213
implementation to remain in Category I
if the change to Category II would have
been triggered by a minor species
indication.
Based on the revised definitions of the
two feed drug categories, there is one
drug, sulfamerazine for control of
furunculosis in trout (21 CFR 558.582),
that will be recategorized from Category
II to Category I as a result of this direct
final rule. No compliance costs will be
incurred due to this recategorization
because no changes to the approved
application are required for continued
marketing of the drug.
VII. Analysis of Environmental Impact
We have determined under 21 CFR
25.30(h) that this action is of a type that
does not individually or cumulatively
have a significant effect on the human
environment. Therefore, neither an
environmental assessment nor an
environmental impact statement is
required.
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VIII. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
■
This direct final rule contains no
collection of information. Therefore,
clearance by the Office of Management
and Budget under the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501–
3520) is not required.
§ 558.3 Definitions and general
considerations applicable to this part.
IX. Federalism
We have analyzed this direct final
rule in accordance with the principles
set forth in Executive Order 13132. We
have determined that this direct final
rule does not contain policies that have
substantial direct effects on the States,
on the relationship between the
National Government and the States, or
on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various
levels of government. Accordingly, we
have concluded that this direct final
rule does not contain policies that have
federalism implications as defined in
the Executive Order and, consequently,
a federalism summary impact statement
is not required.
X. References
The following references are on
display in the Division of Dockets
Management (see ADDRESSES) and are
available for viewing by interested
persons between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.,
Monday through Friday; they are also
available electronically at https://
www.regulations.gov. FDA has verified
the Web site addresses, as of the date
this document publishes in the Federal
Register, but Web sites are subject to
change over time.
1. U.S. Department of Agriculture, ‘‘Livestock
& Meat Domestic Data,’’ https://
www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/
livestock-meat-domestic-data (accessed
on June 23, 2016).
2. ‘‘Food Fish Production and Sales by
Species, by Size Category, by State and
United States: 2005,’’ https://
www.agcensus.usda.gov/Publications/
2002/Aquaculture/aquacen2005_08.pdf
(accessed on June 23, 2016).
List of Subjects in 21 CFR Part 558
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with RULES
Animal drugs, animal feeds.
Therefore, under the Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act and under authority
delegated to the Commissioner of Food
and Drugs and redelegated to the Center
for Veterinary Medicine, 21 CFR part
558 is amended as follows:
PART 558—NEW ANIMAL DRUGS FOR
USE IN ANIMAL FEEDS
1. The authority citation for part 558
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 354, 360b, 360ccc,
360ccc–1, 371.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:56 Aug 23, 2016
Jkt 238001
2. In § 558.3, revise paragraphs
(b)(1)(i) and (ii); and add paragraphs
(b)(13) and (14) to read as follows:
*
*
*
*
*
(b) * * *
(1) * * *
(i) Category I—These drugs require no
withdrawal period at the lowest use
level in each major species for which
they are approved or are approved for
use only in minor species.
(ii) Category II—These drugs require a
withdrawal period at the lowest use
level for at least one major species for
which they are approved, or are
regulated on a ‘‘no-residue’’ basis or
with a zero tolerance because of
carcinogenic concern regardless of
whether a withdrawal period is required
in any species.
*
*
*
*
*
(13) ‘‘Major species’’ means cattle,
horses, swine, chickens, turkeys, dogs,
and cats.
(14) ‘‘Minor species’’ means animals,
other than humans, that are not major
species.
Dated: August 18, 2016.
Jeremy Sharp,
Deputy Commissioner for Policy, Planning,
Legislation, and Analysis.
[FR Doc. 2016–20148 Filed 8–23–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4164–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[Docket No. USCG–2016–0814]
Drawbridge Operation Regulation;
Trent River, New Bern, NC
Coast Guard, DHS.
Notice of deviation from
drawbridge regulation.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Coast Guard has issued a
temporary deviation from the operating
schedule that governs the U.S. 70/Alfred
A. Cunningham Bridge across the Trent
River, mile 0.0, at New Bern, NC. The
deviation is necessary to facilitate safe
participation in the Multiple Sclerosis
Society’s Historic New Bern Bike Ride.
This deviation allows the bridge to
remain in the closed-to-navigation
position.
SUMMARY:
The deviation is effective from 8
a.m. on Saturday, September 10, 2016,
to 9:30 a.m. Sunday, September 11,
2016.
DATES:
PO 00000
Frm 00056
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 9990
The docket for this
deviation, [USCG–2016–0814] is
available at https://www.regulations.gov.
Type the docket number in the
‘‘SEARCH’’ box and click ‘‘SEARCH’’.
Click on Open Docket Folder on the line
associated with this deviation.
ADDRESSES:
If
you have questions on this temporary
deviation, call or email Mr. Michael
Thorogood, Bridge Administration
Branch Fifth District, Coast Guard,
telephone 757–398–6557, email
Michael.R.Thorogood@uscg.mil.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
The North
Carolina Department of Transportation,
who owns and operates the U.S. 70/
Alfred A. Cunningham Bridge, has
requested a temporary deviation from
the current operating regulations set out
in 33 CFR 117.843(a), to ensure the
safety of the cyclists and spectators that
are associated with the Multiple
Sclerosis Society’s Historic New Bern
Bike Ride.
Under this temporary deviation, the
bridge will be maintained in the closed
position from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on
Saturday, September 10, 2016, and from
8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on Sunday,
September 11, 2016. The bridge is a
double bascule drawbridge and has a
vertical clearance in the closed position
of 14 feet above mean high water.
The Trent River is used by small
commercial vessels and recreational
vessels. The Coast Guard has carefully
considered the nature and volume of
vessel traffic in publishing this
temporary deviation.
Vessels able to pass through the
bridge in the closed position may do so
at any time. The bridge will be able to
open in case of emergencies, there is no
immediate alternative route for vessels
to pass. The Coast Guard will also
inform the users of the waterway
through our Local and Broadcast Notice
to Mariners of the change in operating
schedule for the bridge so that vessel
operators can arrange their transits to
minimize any impact caused by the
temporary deviation.
In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e),
the drawbridge must return to its regular
operating schedule immediately at the
end of the effective period of this
temporary deviation. This deviation
from the operating regulations is
authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Dated: August 17, 2016.
Hal R. Pitts,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard
District.
[FR Doc. 2016–20232 Filed 8–23–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110–04–P
E:\FR\FM\24AUR1.SGM
24AUR1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 164 (Wednesday, August 24, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57796-57800]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-20148]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
21 CFR Part 558
[Docket No. FDA-2016-N-1896]
New Animal Drugs for Use in Animal Feed; Category Definitions
AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.
ACTION: Direct final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA, the Agency, we) is
amending the animal drug regulations by revising the definitions of the
two categories of new animal drugs used in medicated feeds to base
category assignment only on approved uses in major animal species. This
revision will preserve the availability of medicated feeds intended for
therapeutic use in minor animal species and prevent a significant
disincentive for future development of additional minor species
therapies.
DATES: This rule is effective December 1, 2016. Submit either
electronic or written comments by November 7, 2016. See Section IV for
further discussion of the effective date.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments as follows:
Electronic Submissions
Submit electronic comments in the following way:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments. Comments submitted
electronically, including attachments, to https://www.regulations.gov
will be posted to the docket unchanged. Because your comment will be
made public, you are solely responsible for ensuring that your comment
does not include any confidential information that you or a third party
may not wish to be posted, such as medical information, your or anyone
else's Social Security number, or confidential business information,
such as a manufacturing process. Please note that if you include your
name, contact information, or other information that identifies you in
the body of your comments, that information will be posted on https://www.regulations.gov.
If you want to submit a comment with confidential
information that you do not wish to be made available to the public,
submit the comment as a written/paper submission and in the manner
detailed (see ``Written/Paper Submissions'' and ``Instructions'').
Written/Paper Submissions
Submit written/paper submissions as follows:
Mail/Hand delivery/Courier (for written/paper
submissions): Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug
Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, Rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852.
For written/paper comments submitted to the Division of
Dockets Management, FDA will post your comment, as well as any
attachments, except for information submitted, marked and identified,
as confidential, if submitted as detailed in ``Instructions.''
Instructions: All submissions received must include the Docket No.
FDA-2016-N-1896 for ``Category Definitions For Minor Species.''
Received comments will be placed in the docket and, except for those
submitted as ``Confidential Submissions,'' publicly viewable at https://www.regulations.gov or at the Division of Dockets Management between 9
a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Confidential Submissions--To submit a comment with
confidential information that you do not wish to be made publicly
available, submit your comments only as a written/paper submission. You
should submit two copies total. One copy will include the information
you claim to be confidential with a heading or cover note that states
``THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.'' The Agency will
review this copy, including the claimed confidential information, in
its consideration of comments. The second copy, which will have the
claimed confidential information redacted/blacked out, will be
available for public viewing and posted on https://www.regulations.gov.
Submit both copies to the Division of Dockets Management. If you do not
wish your name and contact information to be made publicly available,
you can provide this information on the cover sheet and not in the body
of your comments and you must identify this information as
``confidential.'' Any information marked as ``confidential'' will not
be disclosed except in accordance with 21 CFR 10.20 and other
applicable disclosure law. For more information about FDA's posting of
comments to public dockets, see 80 FR 56469, September 18, 2015, or
access the information at: https://www.fda.gov/regulatoryinformation/dockets/default.htm.
Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or
the electronic and written/paper comments received, go to https://www.regulations.gov and insert the docket number found in brackets in
the heading of this document, into the ``Search'' box and follow the
prompts and/or go to the Division of Dockets Management, 5630 Fishers
Lane, Rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Edwards, Center for Veterinary
Medicine (HFV-220), Food and Drug Administration, 7519 Standish Pl.,
Rockville, MD 20855, 240-402-6205, david.edwards@fda.hhs.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
I. Executive Summary
A. Purpose of the Direct Final Rule
B. Summary of the Major Provisions of the Direct Final Rule
C. Legal Authority
D. Costs and Benefits
II. Background
III. Provisions of the Regulation
IV. Direct Final Rulemaking
V. Legal Authority
VI. Economic Analysis of Impacts
VII. Analysis of Environmental Impact
VIII. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
IX. Federalism
X. References
I. Executive Summary
A. Purpose of the Direct Final Rule
FDA is issuing this direct final rule to revise the definitions of
the two categories of new animal drugs used in
[[Page 57797]]
medicated feeds to base category assignment only on approved uses in
major animal species. This action is being taken to address a potential
consequence of animal drug sponsor cooperation in implementing a
strategy initiated by the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) to
address antimicrobial resistance by taking measures to ensure the
judicious use of antimicrobial drugs in animal agriculture. Under this
program, sponsors of antimicrobial new animal drugs that also have
importance in human medicine were requested to voluntarily withdraw
approval of production (e.g., growth production, feed efficiency)
indications for their drug products that are intended for use in the
feed or water of food-producing animals. Based on the existing drug
category definitions, the voluntary withdrawal of production
indications by these drug sponsors would, in some cases, result in a
change to a medicated feed drug's category, potentially leading to
additional consequences not foreseen at the time the program was
initiated.
The category in which a new animal drug used in medicated feeds is
placed is based on their likelihood of producing unsafe residues in the
edible products of treated animals. Category I consists of those drugs
that require no withdrawal period at the lowest use level in each
species for which they are approved. Category II consists of those
drugs that require a withdrawal period at the lowest use level for at
least one species for which they are approved, or that are regulated on
a ``no-residue'' basis or with a zero tolerance because of a
carcinogenic concern, regardless of whether a withdrawal period is
required.
New animal drugs approved for use in medicated feeds are approved
as Type A medicated articles, the most concentrated form of the drug
product for use by feed mills. Category I Type A medicated articles can
be handled by both licensed and unlicensed feed mills, whereas Category
II Type A medicated articles can be handled only by licensed feed
mills.
Certain Category I Type A medicated articles would be recategorized
to Category II when a production indication is voluntarily withdrawn by
a sponsor as part of the judicious use initiative that is currently
underway, based on the next lowest use level that remains once the
production use is withdrawn having a withdrawal period such that the
drug would then meet the definition for Category II. For Category I
Type A medicated articles that include indications for minor species,
FDA is concerned that if such a Type A medicated article is
recategorized to Category II based on a withdrawal period for an
approved therapeutic use in a minor species, sponsors may opt to
request withdrawal of approval of these minor species indications in
order to ensure the Type A medicated article can remain in Category I.
Sponsors may also decline to pursue development of additional therapies
for minor species if these uses would require a withdrawal period that
would trigger a recategorization to Category II.
This direct final rule revises the category definitions such that
they will be based only on whether a withdrawal period is required for
a major species.\1\ Under this new definition, a Category I Type A
medicated article will not be recategorized to Category II based on the
existence of a withdrawal period for an approved indication in a minor
species, even if that minor species indication is the next lowest
approved use level that remains after the production indication has
been withdrawn. However, if the next lowest use level (apart from the
minor species indication) is an indication approved for use in a major
species that has a withdrawal period, under the new definition the drug
will move to Category II.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ As a practical matter, categorization under the revised
definitions in this direct final rule will be driven by approved
indications for major food-producing species (cattle, poultry,
swine, and turkeys). While the definition for major species includes
horses, dogs, and cats, they are not regulated as food-producing
major species and thus drugs approved for use in these species do
not require an assessment of human food safety that may result in
assignment of a withdrawal period. Minor species are defined as
animals, other than humans, that are not major species. Minor
species include animals such as sheep, goats, ducks, geese, and
aquaculture species such as catfish, salmon, and trout.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The purpose of this revision is to preserve the present
availability of medicated feeds intended for therapeutic uses in minor
species and to prevent a significant disincentive for future
development of additional therapies for minor species. We believe this
revision will not compromise public health due to the comparatively
lower exposure by humans to potential drug residues in edible tissues
of food-producing minor species inherent in their less frequent
consumption.
B. Summary of the Major Provisions of the Direct Final Rule
FDA is amending 21 CFR 558.3 Definitions and general considerations
applicable to this part (Sec. 558.3) to base the definition for each
of the two categories (Category I and Category II) of new animal drugs
used in medicated feeds only on approved uses in major species.
Definitions for ``major species'' and ``minor species'' are also being
added to this section.
C. Legal Authority
FDA is issuing these regulations based on its authority under the
new animal drug provisions in sections 512 of the Federal Food, Drug,
and Cosmetic Act (the FD&C Act) (21 U.S.C. 360b) and under section
701(a) of the FD&C Act (21 U.S.C. 371(a)), which gives the Agency
general rulemaking authority to issue regulations for the efficient
enforcement of the FD&C Act.
D. Costs and Benefits
The revisions made by this direct final rule are intended to
preserve the availability of medicated feeds intended for therapeutic
use in minor animal species. In addition, these revisions will prevent
a significant disincentive for future development of additional
therapies for minor species. No additional costs or benefits will
accrue from this rulemaking.
II. Background
FDA is issuing this direct final rule to revise the definitions of
the two categories of new animal drugs used in medicated feeds to base
category assignment only on approved uses in major animal species. To
strengthen the Agency's medicated feed program, FDA issued a final rule
in the Federal Register of March 3, 1986 (51 FR 7382), which, among
other things, established two categories of new animal drugs used in
medicated feeds. As discussed in the final rule, the Agency placed
these drugs into categories based on their likelihood of producing
unsafe residues in the edible products of treated animals (51 FR 7382).
Category I consists of those drugs that require no withdrawal period at
the lowest use level in each species for which they are approved.
Category II consists of those drugs that require a withdrawal period at
the lowest use level for at least one species for which they are
approved, or that are regulated on a ``no-residue'' basis or with a
zero tolerance because of a carcinogenic concern, regardless of whether
a withdrawal period is required.
New animal drugs approved for use in medicated feeds are approved
as Type A medicated articles, the most concentrated form of the drug
product for use by feed mills. Category I Type A medicated articles can
be handled by both licensed and unlicensed feed mills, whereas Category
II Type A medicated articles can be handled only by licensed feed
mills.
This action is being taken to address a potential consequence of
animal drug
[[Page 57798]]
sponsor cooperation in implementing a strategy initiated by CVM to
address antimicrobial resistance by taking measures to ensure the
judicious use of antimicrobials of importance to human medicine (i.e.,
medically important antimicrobials) in animal agriculture.
Specifically, CVM's initiative to ensure the judicious use of medically
important antimicrobial drugs in animal agriculture advocates two
specific changes to the approved conditions of use of medically
important antimicrobials that are administered through the medicated
feed or water of food-producing animals.
These changes, which are described in Guidance for Industry (GFI)
#213, ``New Animal Drugs and New Animal Drug Combination Products
Administered in or on Medicated Feed or Drinking Water of Food-
Producing Animals: Recommendations for Drug Sponsors for Voluntarily
Aligning Product Use Conditions with GFI #209,'' published December
2013 (https://www.fda.gov/downloads/AnimalVeterinary/GuidanceComplianceEnforcement/GuidanceforIndustry/UCM299624.pdf), are
intended to reduce the development of antimicrobial resistance and
thereby preserve the effectiveness of these important drugs for use in
treating infections in humans. Following publication of GFI #213, all
sponsors of these medically important antimicrobial new animal drug
products approved for use in the feed or water of food-producing
animals notified FDA in writing of their intent to voluntarily make
changes to their affected products as outlined in the guidance.
Under GFI #213, sponsors of medically important antimicrobial new
animal drugs approved for over-the-counter use in the feed or water of
food-producing animals were asked to change the marketing status of
their products to veterinary prescription (Rx) marketing status in the
case of new animal drugs administered in water, or to veterinary feed
directive (VFD) marketing status for drugs administered in or on animal
feed. New animal drugs with Rx or VFD marketing status can legally only
be used with a veterinarian's oversight. Prescription animal drugs
require a veterinarian's prescription, while use of VFD drugs requires
a VFD; both types of orders must be issued by a licensed veterinarian
in the course of the veterinarian's professional practice.
In addition, under GFI #213 sponsors of medically important new
animal drugs used in animal feed or water that have production
indications were requested to voluntarily withdraw these indications;
approved therapeutic indications for use of these drugs would remain.
In some instances, once a sponsor withdraws the production
indication from a drug approved for use in animal feed (which is
generally the lowest use level of the drug), the remaining lowest
therapeutic use level will require a withdrawal period. Based on the
existing definitions of the feed drug categories, this results in a
Category I new animal drug being recategorized as a Category II drug,
the more restrictive of the two possible categories of drugs used in
medicated feed. Category II drugs require that the manufacture of Type
B and Type C medicated feeds from Type A medicated articles be done in
facilities possessing a medicated feed mill license, which number
roughly 900 in the United States. In contrast, there are tens of
thousands of unlicensed feed mills in this country. Such a
recategorization to Category II, thereby limiting the use of the Type A
medicated article to a much smaller subset of feed mills, may disrupt
the existing movement of these medicated feeds through distribution
channels.
FDA believes that sponsors may request voluntary withdrawal of
those specific therapeutic indications as a way to keep their products
in the less restrictive Category I when the recategorization of a drug
to Category II is triggered by a therapeutic indication for a minor
species. For certain drug products, the only therapeutic indications
requiring a withdrawal period that would remain following the voluntary
withdrawal of approval of production uses are those for minor species.
The loss of therapeutic indications for minor species would adversely
affect the availability of therapeutic medicated feeds necessary for
the health of minor species, which is a matter of significant concern
for the Agency.
This foreseeable adverse effect on the health of minor species
would directly undermine the intent of Congress in passing the Minor
Use and Minor Species Animal Health Act of 2004 (Pub. L. 108-282) as
well as to our intent in establishing the implementing regulations
under that statute. The Category I drugs likely to be affected have
been safely used in this category for decades, and we have no reason to
believe they would not continue to be safely used in this category
moving forward.
Under the current category definitions in Sec. 558.3 for feed use
drugs, a drug will be included in Category II if the lowest use level
of the drug in any approved species requires a withdrawal period. This
approach equates the existence of a withdrawal period for a particular
use with the potential risk that edible tissues from animals
administered a medicated feed might contain a residue of concern.
However, the toxicological analysis of animal drugs used to
calculate a withdrawal period is based on lifetime exposure by humans
to potential drug residues. This assessment of lifetime exposure does
not consider the lower risk to the public health from the use of these
same new animal drugs in food-producing minor species attributable to
the lower human consumption over time of edible tissues from food-
producing minor species (Refs. 1 and 2). For this reason, FDA does not
at this time believe this revision of the category definitions presents
a risk to the public health.
In a manner similar to its effect on drug indications that are
already approved, CVM believes the existing categorization scheme would
pose a significant disincentive for future development of additional
minor species therapies for existing Category I drugs if those new uses
would require a withdrawal period and thus trigger a change to Category
II for that drug.
Given the potential for implementation of GFI #213 to result in the
foreseeable consequence of the withdrawal of approval of needed
therapeutic indications for minor species, the definitions of the two
categories of new animal drugs used in medicated feeds in Sec. 558.3
are being revised to base category assignment only on uses in major
species. This revision is expected to preserve the availability of
drugs intended for therapeutic use in minor species and also prevent a
significant disincentive for future development of additional therapies
for minor species without compromising public health.
III. Provisions of the Regulation
We are amending paragraphs (b)(1)(i) and (ii) of this Agency's
regulations at Sec. 558.3 (Definitions and general considerations
applicable to this part.) to base the definition for each of the two
categories of new animal drugs (Category I and Category II) used in
medicated feeds only on approved uses in major species. Section
558.3(b) is further amended to add definitions for ``major species''
and ``minor species'' that are identical to the definitions of those
terms found in FDA's regulations for new animal drugs for minor use and
minor species (21 CFR 516.3). We are revising the feed drug category
definitions in Sec. 558.3 to preserve the availability of medicated
feeds intended for use in minor species and prevent a
[[Page 57799]]
likely disincentive for development of additional therapies for minor
species.
IV. Direct Final Rulemaking
FDA has determined that the subject of this rulemaking is suitable
for a direct final rule. FDA is amending Sec. 558.3(b)(1) by revising
the definitions of Category I and Category II new animal drugs
administered in or on medicated feed. This rule is intended to make
noncontroversial changes to existing regulations. The Agency does not
anticipate receiving any significant adverse comments on this rule.
Consistent with FDA's procedures on direct final rulemaking, we are
publishing elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register a companion
proposed rule. The companion proposed rule and this direct final rule
are substantively identical. The companion proposed rule provides the
procedural framework within which the rule may be finalized in the
event the direct final rule is withdrawn because of any significant
adverse comment. The comment period for this direct final rule runs
concurrently with the comment period of the companion proposed rule.
Any comments received in response to the companion proposed rule will
also be considered as comments regarding this direct final rule.
FDA is providing a comment period for the direct final rule of 75
days after the date of publication in the Federal Register. If FDA
receives a significant adverse comment, we intend to withdraw this
direct final rule before its effective date by publication of a notice
in the Federal Register within 30 days after the comment period ends. A
significant adverse comment is one that explains why the rule would be
inappropriate, including challenges to the rule's underlying premise or
approach, or would be ineffective or unacceptable without a change. In
determining whether an adverse comment is significant and warrants
withdrawing a direct final rule, the Agency will consider whether the
comment raises an issue serious enough to warrant a substantive
response in a notice-and-comment process in accordance with section 553
of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553).
Comments that are frivolous, insubstantial, or outside the scope of
this direct final rule will not be considered significant or adverse
under this procedure. For example, a comment recommending a regulation
change in addition to those in the rule would not be considered a
significant adverse comment unless the comment states why the rule
would be ineffective without the additional change. In addition, if a
significant adverse comment applies to an amendment, paragraph, or
section of this rule and that provision can be severed from the
remainder of the rule, FDA may adopt as final those provisions of the
rule that are not the subject of a significant adverse comment.
If FDA withdraws the direct final rule, all comments received will
be considered under the companion proposed rule in developing a final
rule under the usual notice-and-comment procedures under the APA (5
U.S.C. 552 et seq.). If FDA does not receive a significant adverse
comment in response to the direct final rule, the Agency will publish,
within 30 days after the comment period ends, a document in the Federal
Register confirming the effective date of the final rule. The Agency
intends to make the direct final rule effective December 1, 2016.
A full description of FDA's policy on direct final rule procedures
may be found in a guidance document announced in the Federal Register
of November 21, 1997 (62 FR 62466). The guidance document may be
accessed at: https://www.fda.gov/RegulatoryInformation/Guidances/ucm125166.htm.
V. Legal Authority
We are issuing these regulations under the legal authority provided
by section 512 of the FD&C Act relating to new animal drugs and section
701(a) of the FD&C Act. Section 512 gives FDA the authority to approve
new animal drug applications (NADAs). Such approval establishes
conditions of use under which the drug can be used in a safe and
effective manner. Categorization of new animal drugs used in medicated
feeds is one such condition of use. In addition, section 701(a) of the
FD&C Act gives FDA general rulemaking authority to issue regulations
for the efficient enforcement of the FD&C Act.
VI. Economic Analysis of Impacts
We have examined the impacts of the direct final rule under
Executive Order 12866, Executive Order 13563, the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), and the Unfunded Mandates Reform
Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4). Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct us
to assess all costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives
and, when regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that
maximize net benefits (including potential economic, environmental,
public health and safety, and other advantages; distributive impacts;
and equity). We believe that this direct final rule is not a
significant regulatory action as defined by Executive Order 12866.
The Regulatory Flexibility Act requires Agencies to analyze
regulatory options that would minimize any significant impact of a rule
on small entities. Because this direct final rule would not impose any
compliance costs on the sponsors of animal drug products that are
currently marketed or in development, we certify that this direct final
rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities.
The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (section 202(a)) requires
us to prepare a written statement, which includes an assessment of
anticipated costs and benefits, before issuing ``any rule that includes
any Federal mandate that may result in the expenditure by State, local,
and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of
$100,000,000 or more (adjusted annually for inflation) in any one
year.'' The current threshold after adjustment for inflation is $146
million, using the most current (2015) Implicit Price Deflator for the
Gross Domestic Product. This direct final rule would not result in an
expenditure in any year that meets or exceeds this amount.
This direct final rule allows certain new animal drugs approved for
use in animal feed that would otherwise be recategorized as Category II
drugs under the current definitions in Sec. 558.3 following withdrawal
of approval of production indications during GFI #213 implementation to
remain in Category I if the change to Category II would have been
triggered by a minor species indication.
Based on the revised definitions of the two feed drug categories,
there is one drug, sulfamerazine for control of furunculosis in trout
(21 CFR 558.582), that will be recategorized from Category II to
Category I as a result of this direct final rule. No compliance costs
will be incurred due to this recategorization because no changes to the
approved application are required for continued marketing of the drug.
VII. Analysis of Environmental Impact
We have determined under 21 CFR 25.30(h) that this action is of a
type that does not individually or cumulatively have a significant
effect on the human environment. Therefore, neither an environmental
assessment nor an environmental impact statement is required.
[[Page 57800]]
VIII. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
This direct final rule contains no collection of information.
Therefore, clearance by the Office of Management and Budget under the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520) is not required.
IX. Federalism
We have analyzed this direct final rule in accordance with the
principles set forth in Executive Order 13132. We have determined that
this direct final rule does not contain policies that have substantial
direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the National
Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Accordingly,
we have concluded that this direct final rule does not contain policies
that have federalism implications as defined in the Executive Order
and, consequently, a federalism summary impact statement is not
required.
X. References
The following references are on display in the Division of Dockets
Management (see ADDRESSES) and are available for viewing by interested
persons between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday; they are also
available electronically at https://www.regulations.gov. FDA has
verified the Web site addresses, as of the date this document publishes
in the Federal Register, but Web sites are subject to change over time.
1. U.S. Department of Agriculture, ``Livestock & Meat Domestic
Data,'' https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/livestock-meat-domestic-data (accessed on June 23, 2016).
2. ``Food Fish Production and Sales by Species, by Size Category, by
State and United States: 2005,'' https://www.agcensus.usda.gov/Publications/2002/Aquaculture/aquacen2005_08.pdf (accessed on June
23, 2016).
List of Subjects in 21 CFR Part 558
Animal drugs, animal feeds.
Therefore, under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and under
authority delegated to the Commissioner of Food and Drugs and
redelegated to the Center for Veterinary Medicine, 21 CFR part 558 is
amended as follows:
PART 558--NEW ANIMAL DRUGS FOR USE IN ANIMAL FEEDS
0
1. The authority citation for part 558 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 354, 360b, 360ccc, 360ccc-1, 371.
0
2. In Sec. 558.3, revise paragraphs (b)(1)(i) and (ii); and add
paragraphs (b)(13) and (14) to read as follows:
Sec. 558.3 Definitions and general considerations applicable to this
part.
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(1) * * *
(i) Category I--These drugs require no withdrawal period at the
lowest use level in each major species for which they are approved or
are approved for use only in minor species.
(ii) Category II--These drugs require a withdrawal period at the
lowest use level for at least one major species for which they are
approved, or are regulated on a ``no-residue'' basis or with a zero
tolerance because of carcinogenic concern regardless of whether a
withdrawal period is required in any species.
* * * * *
(13) ``Major species'' means cattle, horses, swine, chickens,
turkeys, dogs, and cats.
(14) ``Minor species'' means animals, other than humans, that are
not major species.
Dated: August 18, 2016.
Jeremy Sharp,
Deputy Commissioner for Policy, Planning, Legislation, and Analysis.
[FR Doc. 2016-20148 Filed 8-23-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4164-01-P