The USDA announced on May 13 that it has extended by 30-days the public comment period to identify the impacts of concentration and competition challenges in seed, fertilizer, other agricultural inputs, and retail markets. The new deadline is June 15.
Three RFIs were first published in the Federal Register on March 17, each with a 60-day comment period ending May 16.
With the extension, USDA continues to request information about competition matters as they relate to (1) fertilizer; (2) seed and agricultural inputs, particularly as they relate to the intellectual property system; (3) food retail, including access to retail for agricultural producers and small and medium-sized food processors through wholesale and distribution markets.
The RFIs are intended to provide USDA with data on competition and market access for farmers and ranchers, new and growing market competitors, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, and the context of these markets for farmers. Additional information is available at www.ams.usda.gov/about-ams/fair-competitive/rfi.
All written comments should be posted online at https://www.regulations.gov. Comments should reference the docket number of the RFI, the date of submission, and the page number of this issue of the Federal Register. Comments may also be sent to Jaina Nian, Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA, Room 2055-S, STOP 0201, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-0201.
Comments will be made available for public inspection at the above address during regular business hours or online.
