Availability of FSIS Guidance for Importing Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products Into the United States, 31549-31550 [2017-14287]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 129 / Friday, July 7, 2017 / Notices 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. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Food Safety and Inspection Service [Docket No. FSIS–2017–0020] Availability of FSIS Guidance for Importing Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products Into the United States FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roberta Wagner, Assistant Administrator, Office of Policy and Program Development; Telephone: (202) 205–0495, or by Fax: (202) 720–2025. Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of availability and request for comments. AGENCY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing the availability of and requesting comment on guidance for importing meat, poultry, and egg products into the United States. This guidance is intended to help U.S. importers, customs brokers, official import inspection establishments, egg products plants, and other interested parties understand and comply with FSIS import requirements. DATES: Submit comments on or before September 5, 2017. ADDRESSES: A downloadable version of the guidance is available to view and print at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/ Regulations_&_Policies/Compliance_ Guides_Index/index.asp. No hard copies of the compliance guideline have been published. FSIS invites interested persons to submit comments on issues 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 https://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– 2017–0020. Comments received in response to this docket will be made available for public inspection and posted without change, including any personal information, to https:// www.regulations.gov. asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:56 Jul 06, 2017 Jkt 241001 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is the public health regulatory agency responsible for ensuring that domestic and imported meat, poultry, and egg products are safe, wholesome, and correctly labeled and packaged. FSIS inspects imported meat, poultry, and egg products under the authority of the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) (21 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) and the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA) (21 U.S.C. 451 et seq.), and the Egg Products Inspection Act (EPIA) (15 U.S.C. 1031 et seq.). Imported meat, poultry, and egg products must originate from eligible countries and from establishments or plants that are certified to export to the United States (21 U.S.C. 620, 466 and 1046). A country becomes eligible following an equivalence determination process completed by FSIS in coordination with the country’s central competent authority (CCA). Foreign establishments or plants become eligible when the CCA certifies to FSIS that the establishments or plants meet requirements that are equivalent to FSIS requirements. All imported shipments of meat, poultry, and egg products must be presented to FSIS for inspection, with certain exceptions, as detailed in the guidance (e.g., meat, poultry, or dried egg products shipment that does not exceed 50 pounds, for personal consumption only). This guidance summarizes existing requirements and best practices for complying with those requirements. FSIS encourages interested parties (e.g., U.S. importers, brokers, official import inspection establishments, and egg products plants) to follow this guidance. This guidance represents current FSIS thinking, and FSIS will update it as necessary to reflect comments received and any additional information that becomes available. FSIS is seeking comments on this guidance as part of its efforts to continuously assess and improve the effectiveness of policy documents. PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 31549 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 https:// 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: program.intake@usda.gov. 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 https://www.fsis.usda.gov/federalregister. 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 https://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. E:\FR\FM\07JYN1.SGM 07JYN1 31550 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 129 / Friday, July 7, 2017 / Notices Done at Washington, DC, on: July 3, 2017. Alfred V. Almanza, Administrator. [FR Doc. 2017–14287 Filed 7–6–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–DM–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration United States Standards for Lentils Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, USDA. ACTION: Final Notice. AGENCY: This action is being taken under the authority of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as amended, (AMA). The Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) is revising the United States Standards for Lentils to establish an additional grading factor, definition, grade requirements, and visual reference images for ‘‘wrinkled lentils,’’ and establish a special grade, definition, special grade requirements, designation, and visual reference images for ‘‘green lentils.’’ GIPSA believes these revisions will improve the application of standards and facilitate the marketing of lentils. DATES: Effective Date: August 1, 2017. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Beverly A. Whalen at USDA, GIPSA, FGIS, 10383 N. Ambassador Drive, Kansas City, Missouri 64153; Telephone (816) 659–8410; Fax Number (816) 872– 1258; email Beverly.A.Whalen@ usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 203(c) of the AMA (7 U.S.C. § 1622(c)), 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.’’ GIPSA is committed to carrying out this authority in a manner that facilitates the marketing of agricultural commodities. Under the AMA, GIPSA establishes and maintains standards for graded commodities including rice, whole dry peas, split peas, feed peas, lentils, and beans. The AMA standards are voluntary and widely used in private contracts, government procurement, asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:56 Jul 06, 2017 Jkt 241001 marketing communication, and/or consumer information. The standards serve as a common trading language to define commodity quality in the domestic and global marketplace. Background GIPSA engages in regular outreach with stakeholders to ensure commodity standards maintain relevance with the modern market. Lentil industry stakeholders include the USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council (USADPLC), a national organization of producers, processors, and exporters of U.S. dry peas, lentils, and chickpeas; the U.S. Dry Pea and Lentil Trade Association (USPLTA), a national association representing processors, traders, handlers and merchandisers, and transporters in the pea, lentil and chickpea industry; and, other handlers and merchandisers. The United States Standards for Lentils are available on GIPSA’s public Web site at: https:// www.gipsa.usda.gov/fgis/standards/ lentils.pdf. USADPLC and USPLTA reviewed the United States Standards for Lentils, which were last revised in 2008. The review resulted in those stakeholders jointly recommending that GIPSA revise the standards based on changing market trends. Specifically, these groups asked GIPSA to (1) establish a new grading factor of ‘‘wrinkled lentils,’’ and (2) establish a new special grade of ‘‘green lentils.’’ GIPSA provides official inspection procedures for lentils in the Pea and Lentil Handbook, which is available on GIPSA’s public Web site at: https:// www.gipsa.usda.gov/Publications/fgis/ handbooks/pealentil_insphb.html. Establishment of Grading Factor ‘‘Wrinkled Lentils’’ USADPLC and USPLTA reported on a trend of an increasing percentage of fully developed lentils that possess a wrinkled seed coat. These lentils do not meet the definition for immature lentils. Under the current United States Standards for Lentils, these lentils would grade U.S. #1; however, the wrinkled appearance is considered undesirable. The stakeholders jointly recommended that GIPSA establish a new grade determining factor ‘‘wrinkled lentil,’’ and also recommended factor limits for grades No’s. 1, 2, and 3. GIPSA and the stakeholders worked collaboratively to develop a visual reference image that best reflects the PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 ‘‘wrinkled lentil’’ condition. Additionally, stakeholders endorsed the following definition: Wrinkled lentils are sound lentils that are substantially wrinkled on at least 50 percent of one side. Establishment of Special Grade ‘‘Green Lentils’’ The USPLTA Grades Committee members recommended that GIPSA establish a special grade, ‘‘green lentils.’’ Lentil stakeholders concurred on the need for a special grade to distinguish a desirable aesthetic feature. GIPSA and the stakeholders worked collaboratively to develop a visual reference image that best reflects the ‘‘green lentils’’ condition. Additionally, stakeholders endorsed the following definition: Green lentils are clear seeded (non-mottled) and possess a natural, uniformly green color. Comment Review GIPSA published a Notice in the Federal Register on May 15, 2017 (82 FR 22305), inviting interested parties to comment on the proposed revisions to the United States Standards for Lentils. Two comments were received from industry associations, supporting the proposed revisions. No adverse comments were received. Accordingly, the lentil standards are being revised as proposed in the May 15, 2017, notice. GIPSA believes that these revisions will facilitate use of the standards and better reflect current marketing practices. The revisions to the standards become effective August 1, 2017, and the Pea and Lentil Handbook will be revised to incorporate the revisions to the standards. Final Action GIPSA is revising the lentil standards to (1) establish a new grading factor, definition, factor limits, and visual reference image for wrinkled lentils; and (2) establish a special grade, definition, designation, and visual reference image for green lentils. Accordingly, the following sections of the United States Standards for Lentils under the AMA are amended: Section 601, Definitions, is amended to include the following definition: Wrinkled lentils are sound lentils that are substantially wrinkled on at least 50% of one side. Section 607, Grades and grade requirements for dockage-free lentils, is amended as follows: E:\FR\FM\07JYN1.SGM 07JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 129 (Friday, July 7, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31549-31550]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-14287]



[[Page 31549]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

[Docket No. FSIS-2017-0020]


Availability of FSIS Guidance for Importing Meat, Poultry, and 
Egg Products Into the United States

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of availability and request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing 
the availability of and requesting comment on guidance for importing 
meat, poultry, and egg products into the United States. This guidance 
is intended to help U.S. importers, customs brokers, official import 
inspection establishments, egg products plants, and other interested 
parties understand and comply with FSIS import requirements.

DATES: Submit comments on or before September 5, 2017.

ADDRESSES: A downloadable version of the guidance is available to view 
and print at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/Compliance_Guides_Index/index.asp. No hard copies of the compliance 
guideline have been published.
    FSIS invites interested persons to submit comments on issues 
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 https://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-2017-0020. Comments 
received in response to this docket will be made available for public 
inspection and posted without change, including any personal 
information, to https://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: Roberta Wagner, Assistant 
Administrator, Office of Policy and Program Development; Telephone: 
(202) 205-0495, or by Fax: (202) 720-2025.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and 
Inspection Service (FSIS) is the public health regulatory agency 
responsible for ensuring that domestic and imported meat, poultry, and 
egg products are safe, wholesome, and correctly labeled and packaged. 
FSIS inspects imported meat, poultry, and egg products under the 
authority of the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) (21 U.S.C. 601 et 
seq.) and the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA) (21 U.S.C. 451 et 
seq.), and the Egg Products Inspection Act (EPIA) (15 U.S.C. 1031 et 
seq.). Imported meat, poultry, and egg products must originate from 
eligible countries and from establishments or plants that are certified 
to export to the United States (21 U.S.C. 620, 466 and 1046). A country 
becomes eligible following an equivalence determination process 
completed by FSIS in coordination with the country's central competent 
authority (CCA). Foreign establishments or plants become eligible when 
the CCA certifies to FSIS that the establishments or plants meet 
requirements that are equivalent to FSIS requirements. All imported 
shipments of meat, poultry, and egg products must be presented to FSIS 
for inspection, with certain exceptions, as detailed in the guidance 
(e.g., meat, poultry, or dried egg products shipment that does not 
exceed 50 pounds, for personal consumption only). This guidance 
summarizes existing requirements and best practices for complying with 
those requirements. FSIS encourages interested parties (e.g., U.S. 
importers, brokers, official import inspection establishments, and egg 
products plants) to follow this guidance. This guidance represents 
current FSIS thinking, and FSIS will update it as necessary to reflect 
comments received and any additional information that becomes 
available. FSIS is seeking comments on this guidance as part of its 
efforts to continuously assess and improve the effectiveness of policy 
documents.

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 https://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: program.intake@usda.gov. 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 https://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 https://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.


[[Page 31550]]


    Done at Washington, DC, on: July 3, 2017.
Alfred V. Almanza,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2017-14287 Filed 7-6-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P
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