USA - FDA Announces Proposed Delay of BSE Final Rule Implementation

The Food and Drug Administration announced a proposed delay in the implementation of the final rule entitled, "Substances Prohibited from Use in Animal Food or Feed" or more commonly referred to as the 2008 BSE final rule. The final rule, which would have gone into effect on April 27, 2009, is proposed to be delayed 60 days to June 26, 2009. The agency is taking this action in response to comments from affected parties expressing concerns about their ability to fully comply with the rule by the April 27, 2009 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.

The FDA is also providing 7 days for public comment solely on the question of whether to delay the effective date. Comments must be submitted within 7 days of publication in the Federal Register of the notice of proposed delay of effective date.

Interested persons may submit written comments on or before April 16, 2009 to the Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, Rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852. Electronic comments may be submitted to http://www.regulations.gov. Identify all submissions to the docket with the following 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.

For additional information, please see http://www.federalregister.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2009-08127_PI.pdf and http://www.fda.gov/cvm/bsetoc.html.