Department of Agriculture 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
Results 401 - 450 of 1,063
Draft Guidance for Applicants for Competitive and Capacity Grants Administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture; Availability
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is announcing the availability of a draft guidance entitled ``National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Federal Assistance Policy Guide.'' The draft guidance discusses the statutory and regulatory responsibilities of recipients of Federal funds administered by NIFA. This draft guidance compiles and updates the statutory, regulatory, policy guidance previously distributed to Capacity Grant recipients as Administrative Manuals. The draft NIFA Federal Assistance Policy Guide also addresses procedures and policies followed by NIFA in the administration of Federal assistance. NIFA intends to publish a final version of the Policy Guide to reflect any public comments, as well as the requirements of the Agricultural Act of 2014 and USDA's implementation of the Office of Management and Budget ``OMB Uniform Guidance: Cost Principles, Audit, and Administrative Requirements for Federal Awards''.
Information Collection Activity; Comment Request
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35, as amended), the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) invites comments on the following information collection for which RUS intends to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Black Hills Resource Advisory Committee Meeting
The Black Hills Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Rapid City, South Dakota. The committee is authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (the Act) and operates in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The purpose of the committee is to improve collaborative relationships and to provide advice and recommendations to the Forest Service concerning projects and funding consistent with Title II of the Act. The meeting is open to the public. The purpose of the meeting is to accept new project proposals and recommend funding of project proposals for 2014.
Departmental Management; Public Meeting on Criteria for Eligibility for Participation in the BioPreferred® Program
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) will hold a public meeting on August 1, 2014, beginning at 10:00 a.m. in Room 107A, Whitten Building and lasting until all comments are heard but not later than 5:00 p.m. for interested stakeholders to discuss the issue of incorporating previously excluded mature market products into the BioPreferred Program. USDA is seeking information from stakeholders on how to evaluate products for their eligibility to participate in the BioPreferred Program.
Ketchikan Resource Advisory Committee
The Ketchikan Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Ketchikan, Alaska. The committee is authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (Pub. L. 110-343) (the Act) and operates in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The purpose of the committee is to improve collaborative relationships and to provide advice and recommendations to the Forest Service concerning projects and funding consistent with Title II of the Act. The meeting is open to the public. The purpose of the meeting is to review current projects and recommend future projects.
Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP): Implementation of the Agricultural Act of 2014
This final rule amends the regulations for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) to phase out the eligibility of women, infants, and children, in accordance with the amendments made by the Agricultural Act of 2014 (the 2014 Farm Bill). Under amendments made to the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 by Section 4102 of the 2014 Farm Bill, women, infants, and children who apply to participate in CSFP on February 7, 2014, or later cannot be certified to participate in the program. Under these amendments the population served by CSFP will only be low-income elderly persons at least 60 years of age. However, Section 4102 also included amendments for a phase-out provision, which requires State and local agencies to continue providing assistance to all women, infants, and children who were certified and receiving CSFP benefits as of February 6, 2014. Those individuals can continue to receive assistance until they are no longer eligible under the program rules in effect on February 6, 2014.
Office of the Chief Information Officer; Notice of Request for a Revision to and Extension of an Information Collection; Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Feedback on Agency Service Delivery
The Office of the Chief Information Officer, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public to comment on the ``Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Feedback on Agency Service Delivery'' for approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et. seq.). This collection was developed as part of a Federal Government- wide effort to streamline the process for seeking feedback from the public on service delivery. This notice announces our intent to submit this collection to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval and solicit comments on specific aspects for the proposed information collection.
National Poultry Improvement Plan and Auxiliary Provisions
We are amending the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP, the Plan) and its auxiliary provisions by removing the descriptions of specific tests and sanitation procedures from the regulations. Instead, we will require tests to be performed and sanitation to be maintained in a manner approved by the Administrator. Approved procedures will be listed in an NPIP Program Standards document, which we are making available on the NPIP Web site. In addition, we are establishing new compartment classifications for defined subpopulations of primary breeding turkeys, primary egg-type chickens, and primary meat-type chickens. We are also providing new or modified sampling and testing procedures for Plan participants and participating flocks. The changes in this final rule were voted on and approved by the voting delegates at the Plan's 2010 and 2012 National Plan Conferences. These changes will streamline the provisions of the Plan, keep those provisions current with changes in the poultry industry, and provide for the use of new sampling and testing procedures.
Revision of the Land Management Plan for the Chugach National Forest
The Chugach National Forest, located in Southcentral Alaska, is initiating the development of a land management plan revision (forest plan). An Assessment will be posted to our Web site around September 1, 2014. We are inviting the public to help us further develop the ``need for change'' and a proposed action for the land management plan revision.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables
The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), are sponsoring a public meeting on August 12, 2014. The objective of the public meeting is to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft United States positions to be discussed at the 27th Session of the Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables (CCPFV) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), taking place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from September 8- 12, 2014. The Under Secretary for Food Safety and the Agricultural Marketing Service recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the 27th Session of CCPFV and to address items on the agenda.
National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection; Nominations for Membership
On May 15, 2014, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published a notice soliciting nominations for membership on the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI). Nominations were to have been submitted by June 16, 2014. That deadline is now reopened until July 23, 2014.
National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is soliciting nominations for membership on the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF). There are 7 vacancies. Advisory Committee members serve a two-year term, renewable for two consecutive terms. USDA is seeking NACMCF members with scientific expertise in the fields of epidemiology, food technology, microbiology (food, clinical, and predictive), toxicology, risk assessment, infectious disease, biostatistics, and other related sciences. USDA is seeking nominations for NACMCF from persons in academia, industry, State governments, and the Federal Government, as well as all other interested persons with the required experience. Please note that federally registered lobbyists cannot be considered for USDA advisory committee membership. USDA is also seeking nominations for one individual affiliated with a consumer group to serve on the NACMCF. This member will serve as a representative member to provide a consumer viewpoint. This member will not be required to have a scientific background and will not be subject to conflict of interest review. Members can serve on only one USDA advisory committee at a time. All nominees will undergo a USDA background check. With the exception of the consumer representative member, any member who is not a Federal government employee will be appointed to serve as a non-compensated special government employee (SGE). SGEs will be subject to appropriate conflict of interest statutes and standards of ethical conduct. Nominations for membership on the NACMCF must be addressed to the Secretary of USDA and accompanied by a cover letter announcing the nomination, a resume or curriculum vitae, and a completed USDA Advisory Committee Membership Background Information form AD-755 available online at: https://www.ocio.usda.gov/forms/doc/AD-755.pdf. A nomination may be a self-nomination or a nomination on behalf of someone else. The resume or curriculum vitae must be limited to five one-sided pages and should include educational background, expertise, and a list of select publications, if available. For submissions received that are more than five one-sided pages in length, only the first five pages will be reviewed.
Office of the Chief Economist; Global Climate Change, Food Security, and the U.S. Food System
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) invites the public to nominate scientific experts to be considered as peer reviewers for the external peer review of the draft document entitled, ``Global Climate Change, Food Security, and the U.S. Food System.'' The draft document was prepared by USDA and a team of multi-institutional experts to support the National Climate Assessment. The draft document is a technical analysis of the issues, and policy considerations are outside its scope.
Notice of Availability of Pest Risk Analyses for the Importation of Chipilin Leaves and Edible Flowers of Chufle, Izote, and Pacaya From Guatemala Into the Continental United States
We are advising the public that we have prepared pest risk analyses that evaluate the risks associated with importation of chipilin leaves and edible flowers of chufle, izote, and pacaya from Guatemala into the continental United States. Based on these analyses, we have determined that the application of one or more designated phytosanitary measures will be sufficient to mitigate the risks of introducing or disseminating plant pests or noxious weeds via the movement of chipilin leaves and edible flowers of chufle, izote, and pacaya from Guatemala. We are making these documents available to the public for review and comment.
Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Pork and Poultry Products From Mexico Transiting the United States
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request an extension of approval of an information collection associated with the regulations for pork and poultry products from Mexico transiting the United States.
Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; National Poultry Improvement Plan
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request a revision to and extension of approval of an information collection associated with the National Poultry Improvement Plan.
Notice of Request for Reinstatement of an Information Collection; National Animal Health Monitoring System; Equine 2015 Study
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request a reinstatement of an information collection to support the National Animal Health Monitoring System's Equine 2015 Study to support the equine industry in the United States.
Notice of Solicitation of Members to the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board
The United States Department of Agriculture announces solicitation for nominations to fill 8 vacancies on the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board. The notice was published in the Federal Register on June 23, 2014.
Notice of Proposed New Fee Sites; Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, (Title VIII, Pub. L. 108-447)
The Ashley National Forest is proposing to offer several Guard Stations (cabins) and associated facilities as recreation rentals. Fees are assessed based on the level of amenities and services provided, cost of operations and maintenance, market assessment, price consistency throughout Forest and public comment. The fees are proposed and will be determined upon further analysis and public comment. Funds from fees would be used for the continued operation and maintenance of these structures. The cabins and proposed summer rental prices are Rock Creek Administrative Cabin for $100.00 per night, Moon Lake Guard Station for $60.00 per night, and Yellowstone Guard Station and Bunkhouse for $80.00 per night. Rock Creek will also be available in the winter. These cabins are no longer needed for administrative purposes, and are proposed to be put in service in the Forest Service Cabin Rental Program. The cabins will help meet the demand for rentals in remote areas, and fees collected will help to maintain the structures into the future. An analysis of each cabin's features show that the proposed fees are reasonable and typical of similar sites in the area.
Marketing Order Regulating the Handling of Spearmint Oil Produced in the Far West; Revision of Administrative Rules and Regulations Governing Issuance of Additional Allotment Base
This final rule revises the procedure currently prescribed for issuing additional allotment base for Class 1 (Scotch) and Class 3 (Native) spearmint oil to new and existing producers under the Far West spearmint oil marketing order (order). The order regulates the handling of spearmint oil produced in the Far West and is administered locally by the Spearmint Oil Administrative Committee (Committee). This action reduces the number of new producers that are issued additional allotment bases each year from three to two for each class of oil; temporarily changes the method by which additional allotment base is allocated to existing producers to take into account small production operations; and amends the requirements for eligibility, retention, and transfer of additional allotment base issued to new and existing producers. Revising the procedure for issuing additional allotment base will help to ensure that new and existing spearmint oil producers have sufficient allotment base to be economically viable in the future.
Pistachios Grown in California, Arizona, and New Mexico; Modification of Aflatoxin Regulations
This rule revises the aflatoxin sampling regulations currently prescribed under the California, Arizona, and New Mexico pistachio marketing order (order). The order regulates the handling of pistachios grown in California, Arizona, and New Mexico, and is administered locally by the Administrative Committee for Pistachios (Committee). This rule allows the use of mechanical samplers (auto-samplers) for in- line sampling as a method to obtain samples for aflatoxin analysis. The use of auto-samplers is expected to reduce handler costs by providing a more efficient and cost-effective process.
Oranges and Grapefruit Grown in Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas; Change in Size and Grade Requirements for Grapefruit
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that relaxed the minimum size and grade requirements prescribed for grapefruit under the marketing order for oranges and grapefruit grown the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas (order). The interim rule relaxed the minimum size requirement for grapefruit from 3-5/16 inches to 3 inches in diameter and reduced the minimum grade requirement for small-sized grapefruit. This rule provides additional grapefruit to meet market demand, helping to maximize fresh shipments.
Notice of Request for Extension of Currently Approved Information Collection
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Commodity Credit Corporation's (CCC) intention to request an extension from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for a currently approved information collection process in support of the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) program.
Information Collection; Small Business Timber Sale Set-Aside Program; Appeal Procedures on Recomputation of Shares
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the extension with no revision of a currently approved information collection, Small Business Timber Sale Set-Aside Program; Appeal Procedures on Recomputation of Shares.
Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of Used Farm Equipment From Regions Affected With Foot-and-Mouth Disease
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request an extension of approval of an information collection associated with the importation of used farm equipment into the United States from regions affected with foot-and-mouth disease.
User Fees for Agricultural Quarantine and Inspection Services
We are reopening the comment period for our proposed rule to amend the user fee regulations by adding new fee categories and adjusting current fees charged for certain agricultural quarantine and inspection services that are provided in connection with certain commercial vessels, commercial trucks, commercial railroad cars, commercial aircraft, and international passengers arriving at ports in the customs territory of the United States. This action will allow interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments.
Notice of Funding Availability of Applications (NOFA) for Section 514 Farm Labor Housing Loans and Section 516 Farm Labor Housing Grants for Off-Farm Housing for Fiscal Year (FY) 2014
This Notice announces the timeframe to submit pre-applications for Section 514 Farm Labor Housing (FLH) loans and Section 516 FLH grants for the construction of new off-farm FLH units and related facilities for domestic farm laborers and for the purchase and substantial rehabilitation of an existing non-FLH property. The intended purpose of these loans and grants is to increase the number of available housing units for domestic farm laborers. This Notice describes the method used to distribute funds, the application process, and submission requirements.
Notice of Intent To Grant Exclusive License
Notice is hereby given that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, intends to grant to Trellis Growing Systems LLC of Fort Wayne, Indiana, an exclusive license to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14/267,141, ``METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRIMOCANE MANAGEMENT'', filed on May 1, 2014.
General Administrative Regulations; Catastrophic Risk Protection Endorsement; Area Risk Protection Insurance Regulations; and the Common Crop Insurance Regulations, Basic Provisions
The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) amends the General Administrative RegulationsIneligibility for Programs under the Federal Crop Insurance Act, the Catastrophic Risk Protection Endorsement, the Area Risk Protection Insurance Regulations, and the Common Crop Insurance Regulations, Basic Provisions to revise those provisions affected by changes mandated by the Agricultural Act of 2014 (commonly referred to as the 2014 Farm Bill), enacted on February 7, 2014.
Notice
RUS published a notice in the Federal Register on February 18, 1997, at 62 FR 7205 that the Uruguay Round Agreements Act, (108 Stat. 4954, Pub. L. 103-465, December 8, 1994), amended the ``Buy American'' provision, (7 U.S.C. 903 note) of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.) (the ``RE Act''). Under the amendment, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is authorized to determine which countries (``eligible countries'') are eligible to have their products receive the same treatment as manufactured and unmanufactured products produced in the United States. This notice revises the list of eligible countries for purchases made by telecommunications borrowers by adding new countries to the list to reflect the March 17, 2014, Federal Register Notice (FRN), ``Agreement on Government Procurement: Effective Date of Amendments, and the April 18, 2014 FRN, ``Agreement on Government Procurement: Effective Date of Amendments for Japan'', published by the Office of the United States Trade Representative. Please refer to the Federal Register notice published February 18, 1997, at 62 FR 7205, for additional information on RUS Buy American requirements.
Notice of Request for Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces Rural Development's intention to request a revision for a currently approved information collection in support of loan programs administered by the Rural Housing Service, Business Cooperative Service, and Rural Utilities Service.
Cherokee Resource Advisory Committee
The Cherokee Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Alcoa, Tennessee. The committee is authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (Pub. L. 112-141) (the Act) and operates in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The purpose of the committee is to improve collaborative relationships and to provide advice and recommendations to the Forest Service concerning projects and funding consistent with Title II of the Act. The meeting is open to the public. The purpose of the meeting is to review and recommend projects authorized under Title II of the Act.
National School Lunch Program: Independent Review of Applications Required by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010; Approval of Information Collection Request
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is announcing the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval of information collection requirements contained in a final rule published in the Federal Register.
Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Self-Certification Medical Statement
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request extension of approval of an information collection for self-certification medical statements.
Cotton Board Rules and Regulations: Adjusting Supplemental Assessment on Imports (2014 Amendment)
This proposed rule is a companion document to the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) direct final rule (published today in the ``Rules and Regulations'' section of the Federal Register), amending the Cotton Board Rules and Regulations by decreasing the value assigned to imported cotton for calculating supplemental assessments collected for use by the Cotton Research and Promotion Program. An amendment is required to adjust the value assigned to imported cotton and the cotton content of imported products so that it is the same as those paid on domestically produced cotton. AMS is publishing this amendment as a direct final rule without prior proposal because the agency is contemplated by statute and required by regulation in 7 CFR 1205.510 and anticipates no significant adverse comment. AMS has explained its reasons in the preamble of the direct final rule. If AMS receives no significant adverse comment during the comment period, no further action on this proposed rule will be taken. If, however, AMS receives significant adverse comment, AMS will withdraw the direct final rule and it will not take effect. In that case, AMS will address all public comments in a subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule. AMS will not institute a second comment period on this rule. Any parties interested in commenting must do so during this comment period.
Cotton Board Rules and Regulations: Adjusting Supplemental Assessment on Imports (2014 Amendment)
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is amending the Cotton Board Rules and Regulations, decreasing the value assigned to imported cotton for the purposes of calculating supplemental assessments collected for use by the Cotton Research and Promotion Program. This amendment is required each year to assure that assessments collected on imported cotton and the cotton content of imported products will be the same as those paid on domestically produced cotton.
Forest Resource Coordinating Committee Meetings
The Forest Resource Coordinating Committee (Committee) will meet via teleconference. The Committee is established consistent with the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (FACA) (5 U.S.C. App. II), and the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the Act) (Pub. L. 110-246). Additional information concerning the Committee can be found by visiting the Committee's Web site at: https://www.fs.fed.us/spf/coop/ frcc/.
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