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  1. HFP Constituent Updates

FDA to Extend Comment Period on Request for Scientific Data, Information, and Public Comments on Assessing the Risk of Human Illness Associated with Raw Manure as Fertilizer

What's New

June 29, 2016 

In response to maintenance on the Federal eRulemaking portal from July 1 through July 5, 2016, the FDA has decided to add an additional 14 days to comment on the following request for scientific data, information, and comments that appeared in the Federal Register on March 4, 2016: 

We are sending and posting this update to notify stakeholders that we will be providing more time to comment on this request for scientific data, information, and comments. We will be extending the timeframe to comment until July 19, 2016. We are taking this action in response to maintenance on the Federal eRulemaking portal scheduled to take place from July 1 through July 5, 2016, to allow more time to develop and submit meaningful comments to the request for scientific data, information, and comments.

The original comment period was scheduled to close May 3, 2016. On April 21, 2016, in response to multiple requests from stakeholders, the agency extended the comment period to July 5, 2016. With this second extension, the comment period now closes July 19, 2016.  

To submit comments electronically to the docket, visit Docket No. FDA-2016-N-0321.

For additional information, see

Original Constituent Update

April 21, 2016

In response to multiple requests from stakeholders, the FDA is extending the comment period for public input to assist FDA in its plan to develop a risk assessment evaluating the risk of human illness associated with the consumption of produce grown in fields on which raw manure (or other untreated biological soil amendments of animal origin) is used as fertilizer. The agency is extending the comment period by 60 days, to July 5, 2016. 

The original request for comment, Risk Assessment of Foodborne Illness Associated With Pathogens From Produce Grown in Fields Amended With Untreated Biological Soil Amendments of Animal Origin; Request for Scientific Data, Information, and Comments, appeared in the Federal Register on March 4, 2016 and the original comment period was scheduled to close May 3, 2016.

The risk assessment will be designed to evaluate the risk that the use of raw manure as fertilizer on produce crops may pose for consumer health. It also will look at the effect various agricultural practices, environmental conditions, and prevention measures may have on the risk of human illness. The use of raw manure (or other untreated biological soil amendments of animal origin) as fertilizer in growing crops is covered by the final produce safety rule mandated by the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act. The risk assessment may inform a decision on the minimum time interval between the application of raw manure and the crop harvest when certain application methods are used.

The extension will give interested persons additional time to develop and submit scientific data, information, and comments to help the FDA develop the model for this work.

To submit comments electronically to the docket, visit Docket No. FDA-2016-N-0321.

For more information:

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