Department of Agriculture June 27, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has prepared an environmental assessment for a proposed controlled field release of genetically engineered clones of Eucalyptus hybrids. The purpose of this release is to continue research on two constructs that confer cold tolerance from a previously approved notification and test the efficacy of a third, claimed as confidential business information. After assessing the application, reviewing pertinent scientific information, and considering comments provided by the public, we have concluded that this field release will not present a plant pest risk, nor will it have a significant impact on the quality of the human environment. Based on its finding of no significant impact, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has determined that an environmental impact statement need not be prepared for this field release.

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) pays warehouse operators approved under the Uniform Grain and Rice Storage Agreement, Peanut Storage Agreement, Cotton Storage Agreement and the Sugar Storage Agreement storage, handling, and other associated costs for commodities forfeited to CCC. Payments made by CCC are subject to the Prompt Payment Act of 1982, as amended; the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996; and the Federal Acquisition Regulations. To be fully compliant with these regulations, effective June 30, 2007, warehouse operators will be required to certify CCC payment invoices before the release of payment funds by CCC.

This action summarizes the results under the criteria contained in section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), of an Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) review of Marketing Order No. 948, regulating the handling of Irish potatoes grown in Colorado (order). AMS has determined that the order should be continued.

This Interim final rule amends the Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List) regulations to enact 38 recommendations submitted to the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) by the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) during public meetings held May 6-8, 2002, in Austin, Texas, and March 27-29, 2007, in Washington, DC. This action is also being taken to provide an additional 60 days for the public to comment on these 38 amendments to the National List.