Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113; FAX: (202) 690-0460
Steven Cohen

WASHINGTON, March 7, 2003 – The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is withdrawing an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) entitled "Product Labeling: Defining United States Cattle and United States Fresh Beef Products," which was published in the Federal Register on August 7, 2001.

In the ANPR, the Agency requested comments on the need for regulations to clarify the definition of "United States Cattle" and "United States Fresh Beef Products," and whether such products should bear labeling claims that are different from the claims that are permitted under FSIS’ current policy.

Under FSIS policy, beef products made from animals that are documented to have been born, raised, slaughtered and prepared in the United States are permitted to be labeled as USA products. The country-of-origin labeling provisions (Section 10816) in the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Farm Bill) supplant the issues raised in the ANPR and, therefore, FSIS is withdrawing the ANPR.

All written comments should be submitted to: FSIS Docket Clerk, Docket # 00-036W, Room 102 Cotton Annex Building, 300 12^th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20250-3700.

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For Further Information, Contact:
FSIS Congressional and Public Affairs Staff
Phone: (202) 720-9113
Fax: (202) 690-0460

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