Department of Agriculture – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
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Use of Electronic Identification Eartags as Official Identification in Cattle and Bison
We are extending the comment period for our proposed rule that would amend the animal disease traceability regulations. The proposed rule would require that eartags applied on or after a date 6 months (180 days) after publication in the Federal Register of a final rule following the proposed rule to be both visually and electronically readable in order to be recognized for use as official eartags for interstate movement of cattle and bison covered under the regulations. We also proposed to clarify certain record retention and record access requirements and revise some requirements pertaining to slaughter cattle. This action will allow interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments.
Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Community Connect Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2023
The Rural Utilities Service (RUS or the Agency), a Rural Development (RD) agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), announces the acceptance of applications under the Community Connect Grant (CCG) program for Fiscal Year 2023. The Agency has approximately $79 million for FY 2023. These grant funds will be made available to eligible applicants to construct broadband networks that provide service on a community-oriented connectivity basis in rural areas. All applicants are responsible for any expenses incurred in developing their applications.
North Wisconsin Resource Advisory Committee; Meeting
The North Wisconsin Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will hold two public meetings according to the details shown below. 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 (FACA). 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 as well as to make recommendations on recreation fee proposals for sites on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, consistent with the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. General information and meeting details can be found at the following website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/cnnf/ workingtogether/advisorycommittees.
Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant for Fiscal Year 2023
This notice announces that the Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS, Agency), a Rural Development (RD) agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), invites applications for grants under the Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant (SDGG) program for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023. This notice is being issued to allow applicants sufficient time to leverage financing, prepare and submit their applications, and give the Agency time to process applications within FY 2023. A total of $3,000,000 in grant funding will be available for FY 2023. Successful applications will be selected by the Agency for funding and subsequently awarded to the extent that funding may ultimately be made available through appropriations. All applicants are responsible for any expenses incurred in developing and submitting their applications.
Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Value-Added Producer Grants for Fiscal Year 2023
The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS, Agency), a Rural Development (RD) agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), announces acceptance of applications under the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023, subject to the availability of funding. This Notice is being issued in order to allow applicants sufficient time to leverage financing, prepare and submit their applications, and give the Agency time to process applications within FY 2023. The Agency currently estimates that approximately $31 million will be available for FY 2023. Successful applications will be selected by the Agency for funding and subsequently awarded to the extent that funding may ultimately be made available through appropriations. All applicants are responsible for any expenses incurred in developing their applications.
Information Collection Requests; Direct Loan Servicing-Regular; and Servicing Minor Program Loans
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) requirement, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) is requesting comments from all interested individuals and organizations on a revision of two currently approved information collection requests, Direct Loan ServicingRegular and Servicing Minor Program Loans, respectively. In the Direct Loan ServicingRegular, the information is used to determine borrower compliance with loan agreements, assist the borrower in achieving business goals, and regular servicing of the loan account such as graduation, subordination, partial release, use of proceeds, and consent. In Servicing Minor Program Loans, the information collected is used to perform routine and special servicing actions for loans authorized and serviced under FSA's Minor Loan Program.
User Fees for Agricultural Quarantine and Inspection Services
We are amending our regulations governing the user fees charged for certain Agricultural Quarantine and Inspection (AQI) services. We are reducing the fees charged to remove surcharges that were intended to fund a reserve. This action is necessary in order to ensure the regulations reflect an operational reduction of AQI fees that was announced through a November 1, 2022, Stakeholder Registry announcement, issued to comply with a September 15, 2022, judgment of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, and which took effect on December 1, 2022.
Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA); Emergency Grain Storage Facility Assistance Program
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is announcing the availability of funding to assist grain producers because eligible disaster events damaged or destroyed local commercial grain facilities. To assist producers in the impacted areas, FSA will provide financial assistance under the Emergency Grain Storage Facility Assistance Program (EGSFP). Eligible grain producers in affected counties impacted by eligible disaster events that damaged or destroyed local commercial grain elevators from December 1, 2021, to August 1, 2022, may be eligible for cost-share assistance to construct needed storage facilities to meet on-farm grain storage capacity and handling needs necessary to support the marketing of grain. Grain producers in affected counties in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee and any other affected counties as determined and announced by the Deputy Administrator for Farm Programs (DAFP) are eligible to apply.
Lolo National Forest; Revision of the Land Management Plan for the Lolo National Forest
The Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, is initiating the Land Management Plan (Plan) revision process, pursuant to the 2012 Planning Rule and as directed by the National Forest Management Act, for the Lolo National Forest located in western Montana. This process will result in a revised Land Management Plan which will guide all resource management activities on the Lolo National Forest for approximately 15 years. This notice announces the initiation of the assessment phase, the beginning of plan development, and the preliminary stages of the plan revision process. The assessment will identify and consider relevant and readily accessible material about ecological, social, and economic conditions and trends in the planning area, including best available scientific information. Trends and conditions identified in the assessment will then help describe a need to change the existing plan and inform the revision of the Plan.
Standards for Birds Not Bred for Use in Research Under the Animal Welfare Act; Correction
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is correcting a final rule that was published in the Federal Register on February 21, 2023. The rule established standards governing the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of birds, excluding birds bred for use in research, covered under the Animal Welfare Act. The final rule erroneously omitted a word from one paragraph in the amendatory text and included an inaccurate phrase in another paragraph of the amendatory text. This document corrects these errors and amends the regulations to add the appropriate wording.
Newspapers Used for Publication of Legal Notices by the Pacific Northwest Region; Oregon, Washington, and Parts of California
This notice lists the newspapers that will be used by the Ranger Districts, Forests and Regional Office of the Pacific Northwest Region to publish legal notices required under Agency regulations. The intended effect of this action is to inform interested members of the public which newspapers the Forest Service will use to publish notices of proposed actions and notices of decision. This will provide the public with constructive notice of Forest Service proposals and decisions, provide information on the procedures to comment, object, or appeal, and establish the date that the Forest Service will use to determine if comments, appeals, or objection were timely.
Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests; Idaho; Clearwater National Forest Travel Planning
The United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service (``Forest Service''), is giving notice of its intent to prepare a supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) to the 2012 Clearwater National Forest Travel Planning Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Clearwater National Forest in the Nez Perce- Clearwater National Forests in Idaho. The SEIS will address travel plan compliance with Forest Plan standards for elk habitat and analyze a potential plan amendment for elk habitat effectiveness, apply the minimization criteria for National Forest System trails, and analyze the effects of designating the Fish Lake Trail for motor vehicle use.
Voluntary Labeling of FSIS-Regulated Products With U.S.-Origin Claims
FSIS is proposing to amend its regulations to define the conditions under which the labeling of meat, poultry, and egg products, as well as voluntarily-inspected products, may bear voluntary label claims indicating that the product is of United States origin. The Agency is taking this action to resolve consumer confusion surrounding current voluntary label claims related to the origin of FSIS-regulated products in the U.S. marketplace. Under this proposal, establishments would not need to include these claims on the label, but if they chose to include them, they would need to meet the requirements in this rule.
Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers
Pursuant to the provisions of the rules and regulations of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), notice is hereby given that a public meeting of the Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers (ACMF) will be convened. During this public meeting, the ACMF will consider USDA programs, services, and policies, and how they impact minority farmers. USDA Secretary Thomas Vilsack is committed to actions that enhance minority farmers' ability to produce and thrive as businesses through USDA's customer service enhancements, expanded outreach, technical assistance, and capacity building. The ACMF seeks to recommend action-oriented strategies that maximize the participation of minority farmers in USDA programs and services.
Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; APHIS Credit and User Fee Accounts
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's (APHIS') intention to request a revision to and extension of approval of an information collection associated with establishing credit accounts and the collection of user fees for certain reimbursable APHIS services.
Request for Applications: The Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, State and Private Forestry, Cooperative Forestry staff, requests applications for the Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program (Community Forest Program or CFP). This is a competitive grant program whereby local governments, qualified nonprofit organizations, and Indian tribes are eligible to apply for grants to establish community forests through the fee simple acquisition of private forest land from a willing seller.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces and requests comments on the intention of the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) to request approval for the continuation of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Registration Form to Request Electronic Access Code information collection to allow USDA customers to securely and confidently share data and receive services electronically. Authority for obtaining information from customers is included in the Freedom to E-File Act, the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (E-SIGN), the E- Government Act of 2002, and the GRAMM-LEACH-BLILEY ACT. Customer information is collected through the USDA eAuthentication Service (eAuth), located at https://www.eauth.usda.gov. The USDA eAuth service provides both public citizens as well as Federal Government employees with a secure single sign-on capability for USDA applications, management of user credentials, and verification of identity, authorization, and electronic signatures. USDA's eAuth Service obtains customer information through an electronic self-registration process provided through the eAuth website. This voluntary online self- registration process and identity proofing process (either in-person at a USDA Service Center or online with national credit bureaus) enables USDA customers to obtain accounts as authorized users that will provide single sign-on capability, self-registration, and account management to access USDA Web applications and services via the internet.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Food Labelling
The U.S. Codex Office is sponsoring a public meeting on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, 1:00-4:00 p.m. EDT. The objective of the public meeting is to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft U.S. positions to be discussed at the 47th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Labelling (CCFL) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, which will meet in Gatineau, Canada, May 15- 19, 2023. The U.S. Manager for Codex Alimentarius and the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the 47th Session of the CCFL and to address items on the agenda.
Notice of Intent To Certify Delegated Agencies: Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries and the Washington State Department of Agriculture; Request for Comments
AMS is asking for comments on the quality of official services at export port locations provided by the following delegated states: Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (Alabama) and the Washington State Department of Agriculture (Washington). We consider comments and other available information when determining certification.
Dried Prunes Produced in California; Increased Assessment Rate
This rule implements a recommendation from the Prune Marketing Committee (Committee) to increase the assessment rate established for the 2022-23 crop year. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.
Decrease of Assessment Rate for Texas Oranges and Grapefruit
This final rule implements a recommendation from the Texas Valley Citrus Committee to decrease the assessment rate established for the 2022-23 and subsequent fiscal periods. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.
Harmonized Tariff Schedule Numbers for the Paper and Paper-Based Packaging Products
This final rule updates the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) numbers for paper and paper-based packaging products in the Paper and Paper-Based Packaging Promotion, Research, and Information Order (Order). In addition, this action adds new language that allows assessment collection to continue even if HTS numbers change in the future. The Paper and Packaging Board (Board) administers the Order with oversight by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).
Florida Citrus Marketing Order; Exemption for Pummelos
This rule implements a recommendation from the Citrus Administrative Committee (Committee) to exempt pummelos from requirements prescribed under the Florida citrus marketing order. This change exempts pummelos from all requirements under the marketing order, including registration, assessment, and reporting requirements.
Land Uses; Special Uses; Cost Recovery, Strict Liability Limit, and Insurance
The Forest Service (Forest Service or Agency), United States Department of Agriculture, is proposing to amend its special use regulations to update the processing and monitoring fee schedules based on current Agency costs; to provide for recovery of costs associated with processing special use proposals, as well as applications; and to remove the exemption for commercial recreation special use applications and authorizations that involve 50 hours or less to process or monitor. In addition, the Forest Service is proposing to amend its special use regulations to increase the strict liability limit consistent with the strict liability limit established by the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, and to expressly provide for requiring holders of a special use authorization to obtain insurance, as needed.
United States Standards for Grades of Processed Raisins
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) proposes to revise the United States Standards for Grades of Processed Raisins. AMS is proposing to modify two references to the allowances for capstems within the standards to modernize the standards to reflect current industry practices. The proposal also includes minor editorial changes to table headings to align with updated Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) formatting requirements.
Request for Public Input About Implementation of the Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative and the National Water Quality Initiative
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) requests public input for NRCS to use in refining the Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watershed Initiative (MRBI) and the National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI) to better protect and improve water quality. NRCS also requests comments on how we can streamline and improve MRBI and NWQI to increase efficiencies and expand access for underserved communities and producers. Finally, NRCS requests comments on how we can engage with partners to provide technical assistance for MRBI and NWQI implementation. This effort will help NRCS identify and prioritize improvements to MRBI and NWQI starting in fiscal year (FY) 2024.
Request for Nominations to the Task Force on Agricultural Air Quality Research
The Secretary of Agriculture invites nominations of qualified candidates to be considered for a 2-year term on the Task Force on Agricultural Air Quality Research, typically referred to as the Agricultural Air Quality Task Force (AAQTF), established by the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 to provide recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture on agricultural air quality issues. This notice solicits nominations for membership to AAQTF.
Central Idaho Resource Advisory Committee
The Central Idaho Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will hold a public meeting according to the details shown below. 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. General information and meeting details can be found at the following website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/scnf/ workingtogether/advisorycommittees.
Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Procedures for the Notification of New Technology and Requests for Waivers
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, FSIS is announcing its intention to request renewal of the approved information collection regarding the procedures for notifying the Agency about new technology and requests for waivers. There are no changes to the existing information collection. The approval for this information collection will expire on June 30, 2023.
Wild and Exotic Animal Handling, Training of Personnel Involved With Public Handling of Wild and Exotic Animals, and Environmental Enrichment for Species
We are extending the comment period for our advance notice of proposed rulemaking that solicits public comment on our plan to strengthen regulations regarding the handling of wild and exotic animals for exhibition, as well as the training of personnel involved in the handling of wild and exotic animals, and to establish standards addressing environmental enrichment for all regulated animals. This action will allow interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments.
Walnuts Grown in California; Secretary's Decision and Referendum Order on Proposed Amendments to Marketing Order No. 984
This decision proposes amendments to Marketing Order No. 984 (Order), which regulates the handling of walnuts grown in California, and provides growers with the opportunity to vote in a referendum to determine if they favor the changes. The California Walnut Board (Board), which locally administers the Order, recommended proposed amendments that would eliminate mandatory inspection and certification of inshell and shelled walnuts, and of shelled walnuts for processing; create a new mechanism for determining and collecting handler assessments; add authority to charge interest for late payments; establish an assessment rate of $0.0125 per inshell pound of walnuts; expand the definition of ``to handle'' to include ``receive''; and remove volume control authority. In addition, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) proposed to make any such changes to the Order as may be necessary to conform to any amendment that may result from the hearing.
Information Collection; Improving Customer Experience (OMB Circular A-11, Section 280 Implementation)
As part of the administration's commitment to improving customer service delivery, the Department of Agriculture has under OMB review the following Information Collection Request ``Improving Customer Experience (OMB Circular A-11, Section 280 Implementation)'' for approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA).
Bovine Tuberculosis Status Evaluation of Eight Mexican Regions and Intent To Classify Those Regions for Bovine Tuberculosis
We are advising the public that we are classifying eight Mexican regions for bovine tuberculosis as follows: The State of Sonora as Level II; the Yucat[aacute]n Peninsula region (States of Yucat[aacute]n and Quintana Roo, and part of the State of Campeche), the Huasteca region (parts of the States of Puebla, Veracruz, and Hidalgo), part of the State of Chihuahua, and part of the State of Durango as Level III; and part of the State of Coahuila, part of the State of Nuevo Le[oacute]n, and the State of Tamaulipas as Level IV. These recognitions are based on an evaluation we have prepared in connection with this action, which we made available for review and comment.
Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey
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 Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Contaminants in Food
The U.S. Codex Office is sponsoring a public meeting on March 27, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. EDT. The objective of the public meeting is to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft U.S. positions to be discussed at the 16th Session of the Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods (CCCF) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, in Utrecht, Netherlands on April 18-21 (in person) and April 26, 2023 (virtual report adoption). The U.S. Manager for Codex Alimentarius and the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the 16th Session of the CCCF and to address items on the agenda.
Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for Section 313A Guarantees for Bonds and Notes Issued for Utility Infrastructure Purposes for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023
The Rural Utilities Service (RUS or the Agency), a Rural Development agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), announces the acceptance of applications under the Guarantees for Bonds and Notes Issued for Utility Infrastructure Purposes Program (the 313A Program) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023. This notice is being issued in order to allow applicants sufficient time to prepare and submit their applications and give the Agency time to process applications within FY 2023. Based on FY 2023 appropriated funding, the Agency announces that $900 million will be available for FY 2023. The purpose of the 313A Program is to guarantee loans to selected applicants as a Guaranteed Lender. Successful applications will be selected by the Agency for funding and subsequently awarded to the extent that funding may ultimately be made available through apportionment. All applicants are responsible for any expenses incurred in developing their applications.
Electric Program Coverage Ratios Clarification and Modifications
The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), a Rural Development (RD) agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is issuing a final rule with comment. The intent of this rule is to modify its coverage ratio requirements, add an additional set of ratios, and update and add definitions. The effect of this action is to reduce the regulatory impact on RUS Electric Program borrowers, ensure that loan funds will be repaid in the time agreed upon, facilitate the lending for construction of rural electric infrastructure, and allow RUS to focus on feasibility and security issues while increasing customer efficiency, customer satisfaction and service.
Food Standards; General Principles and Food Standards Modernization; Withdrawal of Proposed Rule
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) (jointly, we) are announcing the withdrawal of the proposed rule entitled ``General Principles and Food Standards Modernization,'' which published in the Federal Register of May 20, 2005. FDA and FSIS are taking this action in response to comments received in 2005 and in 2020 after FDA reopened the comment period for the proposed rule.
Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Reinstate an Information Collection; Correction
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces a correction to the intention of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to seek reinstatement of an information collection, the 2023 Irrigation and Water Management Survey.
Notice of Intent To Request Approval of a New Information Collection
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, this notice announces the National Institute of Food and Agriculture's (NIFA) intention to request a new information collection, entitled National 4- H Conference Registration and Leadership Roles.
Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Export Certification: Accreditation of Nongovernment Facilities
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 accrediting nongovernment facilities to perform services related to the export of plants or plant products.
Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Voluntary Destruction of Imported Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, FSIS is announcing its intention to request renewal of the approved information collection regarding the voluntary destruction of imported meat, poultry, and egg products. There are no changes to the existing information collection. The approval for this information collection will expire on June 30, 2023.
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