The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has announced a proposed rule that would amend the Beef Promotion and Research Order by increasing assessment levels for imported veal and veal products. The proposed increase is based on revised determinations of live animal equivalencies for veal and veal products.
To calculate the new live animal equivalency for imported veal products, AMS proposes to use the average dressed veal weight in the United States for the past five years. An average over this period of time would account for short-term highs and lows and still be current. The proposed average veal carcass weight will be 151 pounds.
In addition, this proposed rule would update and expand the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes and categories for imported veal and veal products according to recent updates by the U.S. International Trade Commission. The Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes and categories are used by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to assist AMS in the collection of assessments on imported cattle, beef, and beef products, including veal.
The proposed rule will be published in the March 16, 2016, Federal Register. Comments may be posted online at www.regulations.gov, or sent to Michael Dinkel, Agricultural Marketing Specialist, Research and Promotion Division, Livestock, Poultry, and Seed Program, AMS, USDA, Room 2610-S, STOP 0249, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20249-0251; or via Fax to (202) 720–1125. Comments will be made available for public inspection at the above address during regular business hours or at www.regulations.gov.
Comments received will be posted without change, including any personal information provided. All comments should reference the docket number, Docket No. AMS–LPS–15–0084; the date of submission; and the page number of the issue of the Federal Register. Comments must be received by May 16, 2016.