Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/09/16/2019-19707/amendments-to-the-regulations-governing-meats-prepared-meats-and-meat-products-grading-certification
Timestamp: 2019-10-22 10:56:50
Document Index: 223845002

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Federal Register :: Amendments to the Regulations Governing Meats, Prepared Meats, and Meat Products (Grading, Certification, and Standards)
Amendments to the Regulations Governing Meats, Prepared Meats, and Meat Products (Grading, Certification, and Standards)
A Rule by the Agricultural Marketing Service on 09/16/2019
This final rule is effective September 16, 2019.
84 FR 48551
48551-48563 (13 pages)
No. AMS-LP-16-0080
2019-19707
Administrative and Organizational Revisions
Clarify Agency Action on Denial or Withdrawal of Service
Other Amendments to the Regulation
List of Subjects in 7 CFR 54
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2019-19707 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2019-19707
Start Preamble Start Printed Page 48551
This final rule informs the public that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is amending its regulations to update a number of outdated administrative and organizational references, clarify agency action as it relates to the withdrawal or denial of service, update the official shields and grademarks associated with the grading service, and make reference to the use of instrument grading equipment as a means of determining official grades on beef and lamb carcasses.
Dana K. Stahl, Chief, Grading Services Branch, QAD, Livestock and Poultry Program, AMS, USDA; 1400 Independence Avenue SW; Room 3932-S, Stop 0258, Washington, DC 20250-0258; (202) 690-3169; or email to dana.stahl@usda.gov.
This rulemaking does not meet the definition of a significant regulatory action contained in section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866 and is not subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Additionally, because this rule does not meet the definition of a significant regulatory action it does not trigger the requirements contained in Executive Order 13771. See OMB's Memorandum titled “Interim Guidance Implementing Section 2 of the Executive Order of January 30, 2017, titled 'Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs' ” (February 2, 2017).
Pursuant to the requirements set forth in the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) [5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.], the Administrator of AMS considered the economic effect of this action on small entities and determined that this final rule does not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small business entities, because the user-fee services that are subject to the requirements of this regulation are not subject to scalability based on the business size. The purpose of the RFA is to fit regulatory actions to the scale of businesses subject to such actions in order that small businesses will not be unduly burdened.
Currently, approximately 235 applicants subscribe to AMS's voluntary, user fee services. The U.S. Small Business Administration's Table of Small Business Size Standards matched to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Codes identifies small business size by average annual receipts or by the average number of employees at a firm. This information can be found at 13 CFR parts 121.104, 121.106, and 121.201.
AMS requires that all applicants for service provide information about their company for the purpose of processing bills. Information collected from an applicant includes company name, address, billing address, and similar information. AMS does not collect information about the size of the business. However, based on working knowledge of these operations, AMS estimates that roughly 72 percent of current applicants may be classified as small entities. It is not anticipated that this action will impose additional costs to applicants, regardless of size. Current applicants will not be required to provide any additional information to receive service. The effects of this final rule are not expected to be disproportionately greater or lesser for small applicants than for large applicants.
AMS is committed to complying with the E-Government Act of 2002 [44 U.S.C. 101] to promote the use of the internet and other information technologies to provide increased opportunities for citizen access to government information and services, and for other purposes. Accordingly, AMS developed options for companies requesting service to do so electronically.
The USDA has not identified any relevant Federal rules that duplicate, overlap, or conflict with this final rule.
Pursuant to the Congressional Review Act [5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.], the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs designated this rule as not a major rule, as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
This final rule has been reviewed under Executive Order (E.O.) 12988, Civil Justice Reform. This final rule is not intended to have retroactive effect. The E.O. prohibits states or political subdivisions of a state to impose any requirement that is in addition to, or inconsistent with, any requirement of the E.O. There are no civil justice implications associated with this final rule.
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 [44 U.S.C. Chapter 35], this final rule will not change the information collection and recordkeeping requirements previously approved and would not impose additional reporting or recordkeeping burden on users of these voluntary services.
The information collection and recordkeeping requirements of this part have been approved by OMB under 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35 and have been assigned OMB Control Number 0581-0128.Start Printed Page 48552
In September 2014, three separate OMB collections—OMB 0581-0127, OMB 0581-0124, and OMB 0581-0128—were merged, such that the current OMB 0581-0128 pertains to Regulations for Voluntary Grading, Certification, and Standards and includes 7 CFR parts 54, 56, 62, and 70.
The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.), herein after referred to as the “Act,” directs and authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to facilitate the competitive and efficient marketing of agricultural products. AMS programs support a strategic marketing perspective that adapts product and marketing decisions to consumer demands and changes in domestic and international marketing practices and incorporates emerging technology. AMS provides impartial grading and certification services that ensure agricultural products meet specified requirements. These services are voluntary, with users paying for the cost of the requested service. AMS grading services verify that product meets USDA grade standards (e.g., USDA Choice) and certify that products meet requirements defined by the company or another third-party. Product characteristics such as manner of cut, color, and other quality attributes can be directly examined by an AMS employee or an authorized agent to determine if product requirements have been met. The product can be identified as “USDA Prime,” “USDA Choice,” “USDA Select,” “USDA Certified,” “USDA Accepted as Specified,” or “USDA Further Processing Certification Program.”
In 2012, an organizational merger within AMS combined the Livestock and Seed Program and Poultry Programs into the Livestock, Poultry, and Seed (LPS) Program. Subsequently, the LPS Program created the Quality Assessment Division (QAD) to oversee services carried out by the Audit Services Branch, Grading Services Branch, Standardization Branch, and the Business Operations Branch. The Grading Services Branch administers grading and certification services that were performed by the former Meat Grading and Certification Branch of the former Livestock and Seed Program and the former Grading Branch of Poultry Programs. In 2018, another organizational change caused the LPS Program to be renamed the Livestock and Poultry Program.
Meat grading and certification activities are carried out under 7 CFR 54, while poultry and shell egg grading and certification activities are carried out under 7 CFR 70 and 7 CFR 56, respectively.
Through this rulemaking, AMS will update a number of administrative and organizational references to reflect the current terminology and structure of AMS. These amendments include amending § 54.1 to change the LPS Program to the Livestock and Poultry Program. Certain terms and definitions will be added to, updated in, or deleted from § 54.1 to reflect the current organizational structure within the Agency. The term and definition for Livestock will be removed from the regulation because the use of this definition was fundamentally the same as the definition of Animals. The term and definitions for Contract verification service will be removed from § 54.1 because this service is no longer provided, and a conforming change will be made to § 54.4 Kind of service. The definition for Animals will be revised to add “bison,” as the Agency certifies bison; Chief will be revised to identify the Grading Services Branch Chief; Division will be revised to identify QAD and appropriately reflect its level within the organization; Meat by-products will be revised to exclude brain derived from ruminant animals, which is no longer allowed per food safety regulations; and the term Standards will be replaced with Official standards, and its definition will be revised for consistency within the regulation. The terms Yield grade and Appeal service and their respective definitions will be added to identify the different types of grading service offered under the regulations. The terms Program and Deputy Administrator and their respective definitions will be added to appropriately recognize the office and leadership within the current organizational structure of the Agency.
Since this regulation has not received significant revisions for some time, AMS is revising it to make it consistent with The Plain Writing Act of 2010 [Pub. L. 111-274]. To accomplish this, AMS is focusing on appropriate pronoun use, omitting unnecessary words, and writing short sentences.
To reflect organizational changes and for consistency with other changes to this regulation, AMS will amend § 54.4 Kind of service, § 54.6 How to obtain service, § 54.7 Order of furnishing service, § 54.8 When request for service deemed made, § 54.9 Withdrawal of application or request for service, and § 54.10 Authority of agent.
AMS will also amend § 54.5 Availability of service by removing language that states service will be provided without discrimination, as this is a duplicative statement of a requirement that is mandated through Departmental regulations, not by AMS.
AMS will amend § 54.6 How to obtain service by increasing the length of time between cancellation of commitment service and reapplication for commitment service from 1 to 2 years and clarifying that the applicant is responsible for reimbursing relocation costs incurred by the Agency to transfer the grader.
AMS will remove the reference to the Medium grade for lamb, yearling lamb, mutton, and pork carcasses in § 54.11(a)(1)(vii). The official standards for grades of lamb and mutton carcasses were amended in October 1940 (Amendment No. 1 to S.R.A. 123) to change the grade designations Medium and Common to Commercial and Utility, respectively. In April 1968, the official standards for pork carcasses were revised and the former Medium and Cull grades were combined and renamed U.S. Utility. Removing the reference to Medium in § 54.11(a)(1)(vii) aligns the regulatory language with the language contained within the official standards.
AMS will create a stair-stepped approach regarding denial or withdrawal of Grading Services Branch services. As written, § 54.11 requires AMS to go before an administrative law judge to hear a case for an applicant accused of misconduct before any action can be taken; the process and actions currently identified in this part limit AMS's ability to effectively manage its services, including denying, withdrawing, or suspending services in a timely manner when warranted for reasons of misconduct. Therefore, AMS is clarifying that it shall rely first on the Supplemental Rules of Practice in 7 CFR 50 and then, if necessary, use the Rules of Practice Governing Formal Adjudicatory Proceedings Instituted by the Secretary Under Various Statues set forth in 7 CFR 1.130 through 1.151 when denying, withdrawing, or suspending services to applicants. An applicant will still have an opportunity for a hearing before an administrative law judge before any permanent action occurs.
The regulations outlined in this part are intended to describe to the public how AMS provides grading and Start Printed Page 48553certification services and the related processes, not provide instruction to employees or repeat requirements covered by another Federal regulation. Accordingly, AMS will remove and reserve for future use § 54.12 Financial interest of official grader. USDA graders and other employees are required to meet and maintain Departmental ethics requirements; therefore, AMS has determined that it is unnecessary to maintain this administrative item in this regulation. AMS will remove and reserve § 54.14 Official certificates, which removes the Agricultural Products Certificate Form LS-5-3 and the Applicant Charges Certificate Form LS-5-5. These forms were discontinued in 2009, and the information they contained is now entered into a database. If an applicant requires an official certificate from USDA, an official memorandum is issued containing the pertinent information.
In 2001, vision-based instrument technology was approved for use in the official determination of the size of the ribeye area. In 2007, it was approved for yield grade determination, and in 2009, it was approved for marbling assessment. Although this technology has been used as an aid in the application of official USDA beef grades since 2001, the current regulations make no mention of it. AMS considers the use of instrument technology to be an important option for determining degrees of marbling in meat carcasses and yield and, therefore, is adding a reference to it in § 54.15.
AMS will appropriately identify and reference figures within § 54.17. Currently, multiple figures in that section contain the same label, Figure 1, which makes it difficult to accurately reference any one particular figure. AMS will remove the Carcass Data Service orange ear tag from § 54.17, because the Agency no longer prints or maintains them and instead allows cattle enrolled in the Carcass Data Service to be identified through other approved methods. AMS will appropriately identify and reference in § 54.17 the USDA Further Processing Certification Program shield used to identify product produced under the USDA Further Processing Certification Program. Additionally, AMS will amend language within this section to accurately identify the USDA Hold tag that is now used in place of the USDA Product Control tag. The tag is now red in color as opposed to orange.
Within § 54.19, AMS will remove the heading APPEAL SERVICE, rename § 54.19 as Appeal of a grading service decision, reassign amended language from §§ 54.20 through 54.26 under § 54.19 (a) through (h), and subsequently reserve §§ 54.21 through 54.26.
AMS will rename § 54.20 Exemptions. The amendments will identify the requirements within the regulation where exemptions are most commonly provided and identify an option for exemptions as seen fit by the Director. It also will require the Director to approve all exemptions to this regulation. AMS will make conforming changes to §§ 54.4 Kind of service, 54.5 Availability of service, and 54.13 Accessibility and refrigeration of products; access to establishments.
Together, amendments to §§ 54.5 Availability of service, 54.13 Accessibility and refrigeration of products; access to establishments, and § 54.20 Exemptions clarify the grading of meat in less-than-carcass form, and further, that the grading of imported carcasses is allowable only under an exemption approved by the Director. For clarity, the requirements for grading of imported carcasses are addressed within §§ 54.20.
AMS will remove and reserve § 54.30 Errors in service. AMS proposed that the subject covered in this § 54.30 is most appropriately covered under a policy or procedure rather than a regulation.
Lastly, AMS will replace the title and language of § 54.31 Uniforms with the title OMB Control Number. AMS believes the subject of uniforms is more appropriate under a policy rather than a regulation. AMS will add language under this section that clearly identifies the OMB control number, OMB 0581-0128, assigned to this regulation in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act.
A proposed rule to amend the Regulations Governing Meats, Prepared Meats, and Meat Products (Grading, Certification, and Standards) was published in the Federal Register (84 FR 1641) on February 5, 2019. Comments on the proposed rule were solicited from interested parties until April 8, 2019. AMS received 12 comments: 8 from consumers, 1 from an industry company, and 3 from industry trade organizations. One of the 12 comments was outside the scope of the regulations.
Three consumer commenters supported all the amendments as beneficial for consumers and producers of meat products, while two consumer commenters were supportive of the amendments with the exception of 54.13(d), which requires that applicants for grading service make products, records, and equipment accessible so that graders may perform their duties effectively. This includes offering product for grading or certification that is, at a minimum, 90 percent acceptable. The two commenters suggested that this number should be increased to 100 percent. In response, AMS will maintain the requirement as written in the proposed rule, as 90 percent reflects a practical and achievable goal that effectively limits ineligible product from being offered for grading and certification.
The 3 industry commenters and 1 company commenter generally supported the changes in the proposed rule, with a few exceptions.
One commenter pointed out that the definition in § 54.1 for “Institutional Meat Purchase Specifications” should be amended to include quotation marks to designate “IMPS” as an acronym and the definition of “meat by-products” should be consistent with that used by the Food Safety and Inspection Service. In response to these suggestions, the Agency is revising the proposed language for the definitions of “Institutional Meat Purchase Specifications” and “meat by-products.”
One commenter suggested that AMS provide background on the change to the reimbursement requirements in § 54.6 from 1 year to 2 years, stating that AMS did not provide justification or an impact analysis for this change. AMS proposed this change, requiring that the applicant be responsible for the cost of relocating a grader should it cancel its commitment service and then reinstate it within 2 years, in light of the significant expense and disruption to the Agency of relocating a grader multiple times within a short period of time, based on previous experience. Expanding this requirement to a 2-year timeframe will help AMS continue to provide consistent service and a stable work environment for AMS employees. Therefore, AMS will maintain the requirement as amended in the proposed rule.
Regarding § 54.11, one commenter recommended revising language in the preamble of the final rule to show the distinct order of AMS procedures when denying, withdrawing, or suspending service that “reflects agency practice and does not represent a tangible change.” AMS agrees and has added clarifying language to the preamble.
One commenter suggested a revision in 54.13(a) that would replace the word “any” with “covered” or a similar phrase to clarify the regulatory intent when talking about marks of grade or compliance. AMS has determined not to make this change. By referencing “any Start Printed Page 48554marks” the Agency continues to accept defined marks that are recognized within the industry and have replaced official stamps for some methods of identification. One example is an ink brush stroke on the hock to identify a carcass meeting the Angus breed phenotypic specification; this practice reduces the amount of ink on the carcass round and therefore reduces trim and waste within the packing sector.
One industry commenter supported the reference to instrument grading in section in § 54.15 and urged USDA to ensure consistency of instrument grading calibration.
One industry commenter supported the proposed changes to the marketing grade terms (e.g., Prime, Choice, Select) to indicate the level of quality, while two consumer commenters opposed the changes, suggesting “terms such as level 1, level 2, and level 3 may make the quality grade meanings clearer to consumers.” In response to these comments, AMS will keep the proposed changes so that marketing grade terms remain consistent with the past as the terms are widely known and recognized by the industry, consumers, and foreign trading partners.
Several comments were received regarding the proposed changes to § 54.5 and § 54.20 with respect to grading of imported carcasses. One commenter asked for clarification on whether, as a result of the proposed changes, the eligibility of imported product would change significantly. The answer is no. The regulations and AMS procedures allow the Agency to grant exemptions to grade imported product in carcass form, enabling AMS to use all parts of the official standards to determine the appropriate grade. AMS is clarifying that exemptions have always been required for the official grading of imported carcasses since § 54.5 requires that carcasses come from animals slaughtered in establishments that are federally inspected or operated under state meat inspection. In the final rule, this requirement is maintained under § 54.5 and language is added to clarify that the grading of imported carcasses is allowed only under an exemption approved by the Director.
Two commenters supported the general guidance in § 54.20 allowing additional flexibility under exemptions granted by the Agency. One commenter opposed the proposed amendment to § 54.5 that service “may be furnished” instead of “will be furnished” for imported meat, suggesting instead that the phrase be changed to “shall be provided.” Another commenter recommended a change to the proposed language in § 54.20 authorizing the Director to issue exemptions, requesting that “shall issue” be added. After consideration, AMS will proceed with language of the proposed rule in § 54.5 and § 54.20 with minor changes. The Agency believes that maintaining flexibility in the process by which the Director may approve or deny exemptions is necessary to enhance commerce while ensuring decisions are for good cause and based upon the supporting documentation provided by the applicant. Changing the word “will” to “may” supports the Agency's due diligence to ensure minimal impact upon the industry should an exemption be granted and to deny requests if determined otherwise.
One commenter supported the language in § 54.20 that provides an exemption allowing for the grading of meat in other-than-carcass form “if the class, grade, and other quality attributes may be determined under the applicable standards.” This commenter suggested that as long as an establishment can demonstrate that products presented for grading are of the proper class and maturity, and the grade can be determined based on the quality attributes of the meat, there is no need to limit grading services to whole carcasses. The commenter referenced an exemption that AMS granted in 2017 for the grading of ribs and loins imported from Mexico. The commenter also asked AMS to clarify, in the final rule or in guidance, what criteria must be satisfied to demonstrate an animal's class when meat is presented for grading in other-than-carcass form.
In response, AMS maintains that the official standards are written in terms of carcasses and sides, and thus the grading of product in less-than-carcass form is generally contrary to the standards. AMS maintains the flexibility to grant exemptions for product presented in other-than-carcass form, but these exemptions are typically for religious reasons where a whole carcass has been presented for grading as quarters instead of sides. In contrast, AMS maintains that subprimal parts, such as ribs and loins, present insufficient criteria by which a grader may make an adequate class or quality determination. Therefore, AMS will maintain the proposed language in § 54.20 with one clarifying change: references to “meat from imported animals” and “imported meat” are changed to “imported carcasses” for clarity and accuracy.
Coinciding with the publication of this final rule, AMS will be amending its procedures (QAD Procedure 504 Import Grading) accordingly.
One industry commenter opposed any reciprocity of official standards and services of USDA beef grades outside the U.S. and also opposed other countries utilizing USDA's system and associated terms. While AMS considers this comment to be outside the scope of this rulemaking, we recognize the industry's concerns.
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, AMS amends 7 CFR part 54 as follows:
1. The authority citation for 7 CFR 54 continues to read as follows:
2. Amend § 54.1 by:
B. Revising the definitions of “Administrator,” “Animals,” “Branch,” “Chief,” “Director,” “Division,” “Institutional Meat Purchase Specifications,” “Meat by-products”, and “Service”.
C. Adding in alphabetical order the definitions “Appeal service,” “Deputy Administrator,” “Official standards,” and “Program”.
D. Removing the definitions for “Contract verification service,” “Livestock,” “Standards”.
Start Printed Page 48555
Yield grade. The indicated yield of closely trimmed (1/2 inch fat or less), boneless retail cuts expected to be derived from the major wholesale cuts (round, sirloin, short loin, rib, and square-cut chuck) of a carcass.
3. Revise § 54.4 to read as follows:
4. Revise § 54.5 to read as follows:
Service under these regulations may be made available to products shipped or received in interstate commerce. It also may be made available to the products not shipped or received if the Director or Chief determines that the furnishing of service for such products will facilitate the marketing, distribution, processing, or utilization of agricultural products through commercial channels. Service will be furnished for products only if they were derived from animals slaughtered in federally inspected establishments or establishments operated under state meat inspection in a state other than one designated in 9 CFR 331.2. Service may be furnished for imported carcasses only if an exemption to do so is granted by the Director as described in § 54.20.
5. Revise § 54.6 to read as follows:
(a) Application. Any person may apply for service with respect to products in which he or she has a financial interest by completing the required application for service. In any case in which the service is intended to be furnished at an establishment not operated by the applicant, the application shall be approved by the operator of such establishment and such approval shall constitute an authorization for any employee of the Department to enter the establishment for the purpose of performing his or her functions under the regulations. The application shall include:
(1) Name and address of the establishment at which service is desired;
(2) Name and mailing address of the applicant;
(3) Financial interest of the applicant in the products, except where application is made by a representative of a Government agency in the representative's official capacity;
(4) Signature of the applicant (or the signature and title of the applicant's representative);
(5) Indication of the legal status of the applicant as an individual, partnership, corporation, or other form of legal entity; and
(6) The legal designation of the applicant's business as a small or large business, as defined by the U.S. Small Business Administration's North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Codes.
(c) Request by applicant for service: (1) Noncommitment. Upon notification of the approval of an application for service, the applicant may, from time-to-time as desired, make oral or written requests for service to be furnished with respect to specific products. Such requests shall be made at an office for grading, either directly or through an AMS employee.
(2) Commitment. If desired, the applicant may request to enter into an agreement with AMS to furnish service on a weekly commitment basis, where the applicant agrees to pay for 8 hours of service per day, 5 days per week, Monday through Friday, excluding Federal legal holidays occurring Monday through Friday on which no grading and certification services are performed, and AMS agrees to make an official grader available to provide service for the applicant. However, AMS reserves the right to use any official grader assigned to a commitment applicant to perform service for other applicants when, in the opinion of the Chief, the official grader is not needed to perform service for the commitment applicant. In those instances, the applicant will not be charged for the work of the grader assigned to his or her facility.
(3) If an applicant who terminates commitment grading service requests service again within a 2-year period from the date of the initial termination, the applicant will be responsible for all relocation costs associated with the grader assigned to fulfill the new service agreement. If more than one applicant is involved, expenses will be prorated according to each applicant's committed portion of the official grader's services.
6. Revise § 54.7 to read as follows:
Start Printed Page 48556
Service shall be furnished to applicants in the order in which requests are received. Preference will be given, when necessary, to requests made by any government agency or any regular user of the service, and to requests for appeal service under § 54.19.
7. Revise § 54.8 to read as follows:
8. Revise § 54.9 to read as follows:
An application or a request for service may be withdrawn by the applicant at any time before the application is approved or prior to performance of service. In accordance with §§ 54.27 and 54.28, any expenses already incurred by AMS in connection with the review of an application or fulfilling a request for service are the responsibility of the applicant.
9. Revise § 54.10 to read as follows:
10. Amend § 54.11 by revising the section heading, paragraph (a)(1) introductory text, and paragraphs (a)(1)(i) through (iii), (vii), (x), and (a)(2) to read as follows:
Denial, conditional withdrawal, or suspension of service.
(1) Basis for denial or withdrawal. An application or a request for service may be rejected, or the benefits of the service may be otherwise denied to, or withdrawn from, any person who, or whose employee or agent in the scope of the individual's employment or agency:
(2) Procedure. All cases arising under this paragraph shall be initially conducted in accordance with the Supplemental Rules of Practice in part 50 of this chapter. Any issue unable to be resolved under part 50 of this chapter shall be resolved or handled in accordance with the Rules of Practice Governing Formal Adjudicatory Proceedings Instituted by the Secretary Under Various Statutes set forth in §§ 1.130 through 1.151 of this title.
11. Remove and reserve § 54.12.
12. Revise § 54.13 to read as follows:
Accessibility and refrigeration of products; access to establishments; suitable work environment; and access to records.
(b) Grading service will be furnished only for meat that an official grader determines is chilled so that grade factors are developed to the extent that Start Printed Page 48557a proper grade determination can be made in accordance with the official standards. Meat that is presented in a frozen condition is not eligible for a grade determination. Meat of all eligible species shall be graded only in the establishment where the animal was slaughtered or initially chilled (except for veal and calf carcasses, which will be graded only after the hide is removed and only in the establishment where such removal occurs).
§ 54.14
13. Remove and reserve § 54.14.
§ 54.15
Instrument grading.
14. Revise § 54.15 to read as follows:
15. Revise § 54.16 to read as follows:
§ 54.16
Marking of products.
16. Revise § 54.17 to read as follows:
§ 54.17
Official identifications.
Start Printed Page 48558
Start Printed Page 48560
Start Printed Page 48561
(2) The USDA Further Processing Certification Program shield must replicate the form and design of the example in Figure 12 to paragraph (k) of this section and must be printed legibly and conspicuously:Start Printed Page 48562
17. Revise § 54.18 to read as follows:
§ 54.18
Custody of identification devices.
18. Remove undesignated center heading “Appeal Service”.
19. Revise § 54.19 to read as follows:
§ 54.19
Appeal of a grading service decision.
(f) Denial or withdrawal of appeal service. A request for appeal service may be rejected or such service may be otherwise denied to or withdrawn from any person, without a hearing, in accordance with the procedure set forth in § 54.11(b), if it appears that the person or product involved is not eligible for appeal service under § 54.19(a) and (b), or that the identity of the product has been lost; or for any of the causes set forth in § 54.11(b). Appeal service may also be denied to, or withdrawn from, any person in any case under § 54.11(a).
(g) Who performs appeal service. Appeal service shall be performed by the National Meat Supervisor or his or her designee.Start Printed Page 48563
20. Revise § 54.20 to read as follows:
§ 54.20
§ § 54.21—54.26
21. Remove and reserve §§ 54.21 through 54.26.
§ 54.30
22. Remove and reserve § 54.30.
23. Revise § 54.31 to read as follows:
§ 54.31
[FR Doc. 2019-19707 Filed 9-13-19; 8:45 am]