Department of Agriculture September 23, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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 regulations to prevent the introduction or spread of foreign plant pests into or within the United States.

We are amending the regulations governing the importation of nursery stock to prohibit or restrict the importation of ash (Fraxinus spp.) plants for planting, except seed, from all foreign countries except for certain areas in Canada that are not regulated areas for emerald ash borer. This action is necessary to prevent further introductions of this plant pest into the United States and to prevent the artificial spread of the emerald ash borer.

We are advising the public that we are making available a final version of our Business Plan to Advance Animal Disease Traceability. Based on comments that we received on our draft Business Plan, which we made available to the public for review and comment through a previous notice, we have amended the plan in order to provide greater clarity regarding the points of integration between the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) and existing State and Federal animal health programs and brand programs. We have also added more specificity regarding traceability strategies for several animal industries, an explanation of how the NAIS can help producers meet country of origin labeling requirements, and a detailed discussion of future plans regarding radio frequency identification of animals destined for import or export. We have also updated the plan to reflect the current budget for the NAIS, to adjust the benchmarks and target dates for implementation of animal traceability, and to make other, nonsubstantive changes. The final Business Plan retains the seven core strategies for harmonizing the NAIS with existing programs and methods that we outlined in our draft plan.

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is announcing a forthcoming meeting of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB).

This rule increases the assessment rate established for the Washington Apricot Marketing Committee (Committee) for the 2008-09 and subsequent fiscal periods from $1.50 to $2.00 per ton for Washington apricots. The Committee is responsible for local administration of the marketing order regulating the handling of apricots grown in designated counties in Washington. Assessments upon handlers of apricots are used by the Committee to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The fiscal period for the marketing order begins April 1 and ends March 31. The assessment rate remains in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended or terminated.