United States-New animal feed laws.

UNITED STATES-ANIMAL FEED LAWS.

The Food & Drug Administration announced yesterday a delay in the implementation of the final rule entitled Substances Prohibited from Use in Animal Food or Feed, more commonly referred to as the 2008 BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) final rule. The final rule, which would have gone into effect April 27, is now delayed 60 days until June 26.

FDA said it is taking this action in response to comments from affected parties that have expressed concerns about their ability to fully comply with the rule by the April 27 effective date. In addition, some affected parties are finding it difficult to identify appropriate alternate ways of disposing of material that may no longer be rendered for animal feed use once the rule takes effect.

FDA is also providing seven days for public comment solely on the question of whether to delay the effective date. Those comments must be submitted within seven days of publication in Thursday’s (April 9) Federal Register.

Written comments may be submitted by April 16 to the Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305), FDA, 5630 Fishers Lane , Rm. 1061, Rockville , Md. 20852 . Electronic comments may be submitted to www.regulations.gov. Identify all submissions to docket number FDA-2002-N-0031 (formerly Docket No. 2002N-0273).

Questions may be directed to Burt Pritchett, Center for Veterinary Medicine (HFV-22), FDA, 7519 Standish Place , Rockville , Md. 20855 ; (240) 453-6860, or e-mail burt.pritchett@fda.hhs.gov. For additional information, see www.fda.gov/cvm/bsetoc.html.