Procrastinators are getting an extra 30 days to get their comments in on the new animal traceability rule.

USDA published a notice Friday officially extending the comment period to Dec. 9, moving the deadline forward from the former Nov. 9 date.

About 250 comments have come in so far, and anyone just reading through them randomly is left with the impression that the new traceability plan is not any more popular than the now abandoned National Animal Identification System (NAIS).

USDA’s Animal and Plant Inspection Service is taking the comments on the new traceability plan, which will be run by state and tribal governments.   It will be based on agreed upon low technology–even including hot brands–and only deal with animals moving in commerce across state lines.

It drops many of the high tech bells and whistles and comprehensive nature of the previous NAIS proposal that was eventually killed by Congress pulling its funding.

USDA says it needs some system for tracing animals in the event of an animal disease outbreak, which could have devastating economic and health impacts if not quickly controlled.

This notice is published in the Oct. 7 Federal Register. Consideration will be given to comments received on or before Dec. 9. Persons may submit comments by either of the following methods:

-Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go here.

-Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS-20091-0091, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238.

-Supporting documents and any comments USDA receives on this docket may be viewed online  or in the reading room, which is located in room 1141 of the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.