Department of Agriculture July 6, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are amending the regulations to add Denmark to the list of regions considered free of exotic Newcastle disease. This final rule follows an interim rule that removed Denmark from that list due to an outbreak of exotic Newcastle disease in that region. A recent risk analysis indicated that Denmark now meets our requirements for recognition as a region free of exotic Newcastle disease. This rule relieves certain restrictions on the importation of carcasses, parts or products of carcasses, and eggs (other than hatching eggs) of poultry, game birds, and other birds from Denmark into the United States.

We are establishing U.S. standards for Feed Peas under the authority of the U.S. Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as amended (AMA). Current U.S. standards for Whole Dry Peas and Split Peas reflect the needs of the edible dry pea market. The quality and standards established for the edible dry pea market greatly differ from the feed pea market. Consequently, the current standards for edible dry peas do not reflect the current needs of the feed pea market. This action provides uniform standards and facilitates the marketing of feed peas.

The Rural Housing Service (RHS) an Agency under USDA Rural Development, announces the availability of housing funds for Fiscal Year (FY) 2006 for the Rural Housing Demonstration Program. For FY 2006, USDA Rural Development has set aside $1 million for the Innovative Demonstration Initiatives and is soliciting proposals for a Housing Demonstration program under section 506(b) of title V of the Housing Act of 1949. Under section 506(b), USDA Rural Development may provide loans to low income borrowers to purchase innovative housing units and systems that do not meet existing published standards, rules, regulations, or policies. The intended effect is to increase the availability of affordable Rural Housing (RH) for low-income families through innovative designs and systems.