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USDA/GIPSA RIN: 0580-AB10 Publication ID: Fall 2010 
Title: Required Scale Tests 
Abstract: GIPSA is amending one section of the regulations under the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921, as amended and supplemented (P&S Act), regarding the requirement that stockyard owners, market agencies, dealers, packers, and live poultry dealers that weigh livestock, live poultry, or feed, have their scales tested at least twice each calendar year at intervals of approximately 6 months. This final rule requires that regulated entities complete the first of the two scale tests between January 1 and June 30 of the calendar year. The remaining scale test must be completed between July 1 and December 31 of the calendar year. In addition, a minimum period of 120 days will now be required between these two tests. GIPSA is also including in this final rule an exception for the testing of scales with limited seasonal use. More frequent testing, however, will still be required in cases where a scale does not maintain accuracy between tests. Finally, we are amending that same section of the regulations to add "swine contractors" to the list of regulated entities to which the section applies. GIPSA believes that this final rule will facilitate GIPSA's ability to regulate the business operations of stockyard owners, swine contractors, market agencies, dealers, packers, and live poultry dealers through the effective enforcement of the P&S Act. 
Agency: Department of Agriculture(USDA)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Final Rule Stage 
Major: Undetermined  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 9 CFR 201   
Legal Authority: 7 USC 228   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  08/24/2009  74 FR 42608   
NPRM Comment Period End  10/23/2009    
Final Action  12/00/2010    
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: No  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
H. Tess Butler
Regulatory Liaison
Department of Agriculture
Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration
STOP 3604, 1400 Independence Avenue SW,
Washington, DC 20250
Phone:202 720-7486
Fax:202 690-2173
Email: h.tess.butler@usda.gov