ARC 6499C

ARC 6499C

AGRICULTURE AND LAND STEWARDSHIP DEPARTMENT[21]

Notice of Intended Action

Proposing rule making related to inspection of meat and exotic animals

and providing an opportunity for public comment

The Agriculture and Land Stewardship Department hereby proposes to amend Chapter 76, "Meat and Poultry Inspection," Iowa Administrative Code.

Legal Authority for Rule Making

This rule making is proposed under the authority provided in Iowa Code section 189A.13.

State or Federal Law Implemented

This rule making implements, in whole or in part, Iowa Code chapter 189A.

Purpose and Summary

This proposed rule making implements two changes to federal regulations so that the Department's Meat and Poultry Bureau can maintain its "at least equal to" status with federal requirements.

Specifically, the rule making updates two regulations by reference and implements the following changes:

1. Defines "yak" and includes yaks among exotic animals that are eligible for voluntary inspection, and revises the definitions of "antelope," "bison," "buffalo," "catalo," "deer," "elk," "reindeer," and "water buffalo" to make them more scientifically accurate.

2. Eliminates the requirement to defibrinate livestock blood that is used as an edible product.

Fiscal Impact

This rule making has no fiscal impact to the State of Iowa.

Jobs Impact

After analysis and review of this rule making, no impact on jobs has been found.

Waivers

Any person who believes that the application of the discretionary provisions of this rule making would result in hardship or injustice to that person may petition the Department for a waiver of the discretionary provisions, if any, pursuant to 21—Chapter 8.

Public Comment

Any interested person may submit written or oral comments concerning this proposed rule making. Written or oral comments in response to this rule making must be received by the Department no later than 4:30 p.m.on September 27, 2022. Comments should be directed to:

Public Hearing

No public hearing is scheduled at this time. As provided in Iowa Code section 17A.4(1)"b," an oral presentation regarding this rule making may be demanded by 25 interested persons, a governmental subdivision, the Administrative Rules Review Committee, an agency, or an association having 25 or more members.

Review by Administrative Rules Review Committee

The Administrative Rules Review Committee, a bipartisan legislative committee which oversees rule making by executive branch agencies, may, on its own motion or on written request by any individual or group, review this rule making at its regular monthly meeting or at a special meeting. The Committee's meetings are open to the public, and interested persons may be heard as provided in Iowa Code section 17A.8(6).

The following rule-making actions are proposed:

Item 1. Amend rule 21—76.2(189A) as follows:

21—76.2(189A) Federal Wholesome Meat Act regulations adopted. Part 303, Part 304, Part 305, Part 306, Parts 308 through 315, Parts 317 through 320, Part 329, Part 332, Part 412, Part 416, Part 417, Part 418, Part 424, Part 430, Part 431, Part 441 and Part 442 of Title 9, Chapter III, of the Code of Federal Regulations, revised as of December 31, 2020 2021, are hereby adopted in their entirety by reference. Part 307 except Sections 307.5 and 307.6 and Part 325 except Sections 325.3 and 325.12 of Title 9, Chapter III, of the Code of Federal Regulations, revised as of July 30, 2018, are hereby adopted in their entirety by reference. Part 500 of Title 9, Chapter III, of the Code of Federal Regulations, revised as of January 1, 2016, is adopted by reference, except that references in Sections 500.5, 500.6, 500.7, and 500.8 to the federal Uniform Rules of Practice are not adopted.

This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code sections 189A.3 and 189A.7(8).

Item 2. Amend rule 21—76.13(189A) as follows:

21—76.13(189A) Voluntary inspections of exotic animals. Every person wishing to obtain voluntary inspection of exotic animals shall comply with the regulations adopted in this rule.

Part 352 of Title 9, Chapter III, of the Code of Federal Regulations, revised as of January 1, 2016 December 31, 2021, is hereby adopted in its entirety by reference.

This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code chapter 189A.