WASHINGTON – The US Department of Agriculture is seeking comments on proposed revisions to the Institutional Meat Purchase Specifications (IMPS) for fresh beef, lamb, veal and pork. IMPS standardize the nomenclature and requirements for meat cuts.

The United States and Canada agreed to adopt common standards for naming meat cuts in an effort to facilitate trade. Both countries agreed to adopt IMPS starting in February. USDA said the revisions are the first made under a recent bilateral agreement called the United States and Canada 
Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC)initiative.

The UDSA's Agricultural Marketing Service is seeking comments on Fresh Beef, Series 100; Fresh Lamb, Series 200; Fresh Veal, Series 300; and Fresh Pork, Series 400.

Comments on the proposed revisions are due no later than May 23, 2014. Comments should be sent to: IMPS Revisions; Standardization Branch, LPS Program, AMS, USDA; 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Room 3932-S; Washington, DC 20250. Comments may also be sent by fax to: (202) 690-2746 or by e-mail to:impsrevisions@ams.usda.gov.