This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules. 

# Proposed Rules Federal Register 

### 32183

Vol. 78, No. 103

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Food and Nutrition Service**

**7 CFR Part 246**

**RIN 0584–AE21**
**Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and**  **Children (WIC): Implementation of the Electronic Benefit Transfer-Related**  **Provisions of Public Law 111–296; Extension of Comment Period** 

**AGENCY :**  Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), USDA.

**ACTION :**  Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

**SUMMARY :**  This proposed rule would revise regulations governing the WIC Program, incorporating the provisions set forth in the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA) related to Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) for the WIC Program. The comment period is being extended to provide additional time for interested parties to review the proposed rule, to June 29, 2013.

**DATES :**  The comment period for the proposed rule that was published on February 28, 2013 (78 FR 13549) has been extended from May 29, 2013 to June 29, 2013. To be assured of consideration, comments must be postmarked on or before June 29, 2013.

**ADDRESSES :**  FNS invites interested persons to submit comments on this proposed rule. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:

• Mail: Send written comments to Debra R. Whitford, Director, Supplemental Food Programs Division, Food and Nutrition Service, USDA, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 520, Alexandria, Virginia 22302, (703) 305–
2746.

• Web site: Go to http:// www.fns.usda.gov/wic. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments through the link at the Supplemental Food Programs Division Web site. • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting
comments.

All comments submitted in response to this proposed rule will be included in the record and will be made available to the public. Please be advised that the substance of the comments and the identities of the individuals or entities submitting the comments will be subject to public disclosure. All written submissions will be available for public inspection at the address above during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), Monday through Friday.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Debra R. Whitford, Director, Supplemental Food Programs Division, Food and Nutrition Service, USDA, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 528, Alexandria, Virginia 22302, (703) 305–
2746.
**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  Background

This proposed rule would amend the WIC regulations to implement provisions related to EBT in the WIC Program included in Public Law 111– 296, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA), signed into law on December 13, 2010. The HHFKA amended provisions of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.) (CNA). The EBT provisions of the HHFKA that are included in this proposed rule are: (1) A definition of EBT; (2) a mandate that all WIC State agencies implement EBT systems by October 1, 2020; (3) a requirement for State agencies to submit annual EBT status reports on their progress toward EBT implementation; (4) revisions to current provisions that prohibit imposition of costs on retail vendors; (5) a requirement for the Secretary of Agriculture to establish minimum lane equipage standards; (6) a requirement for the Secretary of Agriculture to establish technical standards and operating rules; and (7) a requirement that State agencies use the National Universal Product Code (NUPC) database. FNS issued policy and guidance to WIC State agencies on the implementation of the legislative requirements addressed in this rulemaking that were effective on October 1, 2010. However, selected areas of the law are discretionary and therefore, FNS is seeking public comment on several of the requirements contained in this proposed rule. The comment period is extended to provide additional time for interested parties to review and submit comments on the proposed EBT changes until June 29,
2013.

Dated: May 22, 2013. Jeffrey J. Tribiano, Acting Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 2013–12688 Filed 5–28–13; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3410–30–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service** 

**7 CFR Part 319**
**[Docket No. APHIS–2012–0002]**

**RIN 0579–AD63**
**Importation of Avocados From Continental Spain** 

**AGENCY :**  Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

**ACTION :**  Proposed rule; reopening of comment period.

**SUMMARY :**  We are reopening the comment period for our proposed rule that would allow the importation of avocados from continental Spain (excluding the Balearic Islands and Canary Islands) into the United States. This action will allow interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments.

**DATES :**  We will consider all comments that we receive on or before June 13,
2013.

**ADDRESSES :**  You may submit comments by either of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/ #!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2012-0002-
0001.

• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS–2012–0002, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A–03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737–1238.

Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may be viewed at http:// www.regulations.gov/ #!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2012-0002 or


### 32184 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 103 / Wednesday, May 29, 2013 / Proposed Rules

1 To view the proposed rule, risk documents, and the comments we received, go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS2012-0002. 1 To view the proposed rule, risk documents, and the comments we received, go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS2011-0132. in our reading room, which is located in room 1141 of the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, please call (202) 799–7039 before coming.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Ms. Meredith C. Jones, Senior Regulatory Policy Specialist, Regulatory Coordination and Compliance, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737–1231; (301) 851–
2289.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  Background

On January 30, 2013, we published in the Federal Register (78 FR 6222–6227, Docket No. APHIS–2012–0002), a proposal 1 to amend the fruits and vegetables regulations to allow the importation of avocados from continental Spain (excluding the Balearic Islands and Canary Islands) into the United States subject to a systems approach and treatment.

Comments on the proposed rule were required to be received on or before April 1, 2013. We are reopening the comment period on Docket No. APHIS– 2012–0002 for an additional 15 days. This action will allow interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments. We will also accept comments received between April 2, 2013 (the day after the close of the original comment period) and the date of this notice.

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 450, 7701–7772, and 7781–7786; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.3.

Done in Washington, DC, this 22nd day of May 2013. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2013–12679 Filed 5–28–13; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE** 

**Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service** 

**7 CFR Part 319**

**[Docket No. APHIS–2011–0132]**

**RIN 0579–AD62**
**Importation of Fresh Apricots From Continental Spain** 

**AGENCY :**  Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

**ACTION :**  Proposed rule; reopening of comment period.

**SUMMARY :**  We are reopening the comment period for our proposed rule that would allow the importation into the United States of fresh apricots from continental Spain. This action will allow interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments.

**DATES :**  The comment period for the proposed rule published January 30, 2013 (78 FR 6227) is reopened. We will consider all comments that we receive on or before June 13, 2013.

**ADDRESSES :**  You may submit comments by either of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/ #!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2011-0132-
0001.

• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS–2011–0132, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A–03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737–1238.

Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may be viewed at http:// www.regulations.gov/ #!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2011-0132 or in our reading room, which is located in Room 1141 of the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, please call (202) 799–7039 before coming.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Ms. Meredith C. Jones, Senior Regulatory Policy Specialist, Regulatory Coordination and Compliance, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737–1231; (301) 851–
2289.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  On January 30, 2013, we published in the Federal Register (78 FR 6227–6232, Docket No. APHIS–2011–0132) a proposal 1 to amend the regulations concerning the importation of fruits and vegetables to allow the importation of fresh apricots from continental Spain into the United States subject to a systems approach jointly agreed upon in a bilateral workplan between APHIS and the national plant protection organization of Spain.

Comments on the proposed rule were required to be received on or before April 1, 2013. We are reopening the comment period on Docket No. APHIS– 2011–0132 for an additional 15 days. This action will allow interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments. We will also consider all comments received between April 2, 2013 (the day after the close of the original comment period) and the date of this notice.

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 450, 7701–7772, and 7781–7786; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.3.

Done in Washington, DC, this 22nd day of May 2013. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2013–12685 Filed 5–28–13; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3410–34–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Food Safety and Inspection Service**

**9 CFR part 417**

**[Docket No. FSIS–2009–0019]**
**HACCP Systems Validation**

**AGENCY :**  Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

**ACTION :**  Notice of public meeting and request for comments.

**SUMMARY :**  The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing the availability of updated guidance for Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) systems validation. In addition, FSIS is announcing that it will hold a public meeting on June 25, 2013, to review changes to the guidance announced in this notice and to take comments. The public meeting will also be available by teleconference.

Following the public meeting, the Agency will accept written comments until July 25, 2013. Given the extensive opportunity for comment on the guidance, however, the Agency believes