Department of Agriculture September 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Generic Information Collection for Land Management Planning
Document Number: 2013-23767
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-09-30
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the proposed information collection, Generic Information Collection for Land Management Planning.
Revision of the Land Management Plan for the Francis Marion National Forest
Document Number: 2013-23761
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-09-30
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The Francis Marion National Forest, located in South Carolina, is initiating the development of a land management plan revision (forest plan) for the Francis Marion National Forest (NF). A Draft Assessment is being posted to our Web site. We are inviting the public to help us develop a preliminary ``need for change'' and a proposed action for the land management plan revision.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2013-23752
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-09-30
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Blueberry Promotion, Research and Information Order; Assessment Rate Increase
Document Number: 2013-23695
Type: Rule
Date: 2013-09-30
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule amends the Blueberry Promotion, Research and Information Order (Order) to increase the assessment rate from $12 to $18 per ton (an increase of $0.003 per pound). The Order is administered by the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) with oversight by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Under the program, assessments are collected from domestic producers and importers and used for research and promotion projects designed to maintain and expand the market for highbush blueberries in the United States and abroad. Additional funds will allow the USHBC to expand its health research activities and promotional efforts. The USHBC uses its health information in its promotion messaging to help build demand for blueberries. Increasing demand will help move the growing supply of blueberries, which will benefit producers and consumers.
Importation of Potatoes From Mexico
Document Number: 2013-23667
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2013-09-27
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
We are proposing to amend the regulations concerning the importation of fruits and vegetables to allow the importation of fresh potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) from Mexico into the United States. As a condition of entry, the potatoes would have to be produced in accordance with a systems approach employing a combination of mitigation measures to prevent the introduction and dissemination of plant pests into the United States. The potatoes would have to be imported in commercial consignments, would have to be produced by a grower who is registered in a certification program, would have to be packed in registered packinghouses, would have to be washed, cleaned, and treated with a sprout inhibitor, and would have to be inspected after packing for quarantine pests. The potatoes would also have to be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate that declares that the conditions for importation have been met. Finally, the national plant protection organization (NPPO) of Mexico would have to provide a bilateral workplan to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) that details the activities that the NPPO of Mexico will carry out to meet these requirements, subject to APHIS' approval. This action would allow the importation of potatoes from Mexico while continuing to protect against the introduction of plant pests into the United States.
Opportunity for Designation in Unassigned Areas of Southeast Texas
Document Number: 2013-23612
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-09-27
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration
The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) is asking persons or governmental agencies interested in providing official services in unassigned areas of Southeast Texas to submit an application for designation.
Extension of the Current Fees for the Accredited Laboratory Program
Document Number: 2013-23505
Type: Rule
Date: 2013-09-27
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service
The Accredited Laboratory Program is the FSIS program in which non-Federal laboratories are accredited as eligible to perform analyses on official regulatory samples of raw or processed meat and poultry products, and through which a check sample program for quality assurance is conducted. The program is funded by user fees. The current fee regulation is due to expire at the end of the present fiscal year. In order to provide time to develop a proposed rule that will establish a formula for determining the fee, FSIS is extending the current laboratory accreditation fee.
Clarification of Bales Made Available for Shipment by CCC-Approved Warehouses
Document Number: 2013-23506
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2013-09-26
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Commodity Credit Corporation
The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) proposes to amend the regulations that specify the requirements for CCC-approved warehouses storing cotton. The amendment would change the definition of Bales Made Available for Shipment (BMAS). CCC-approved cotton warehouses are currently required to report BMAS, among other data, to CCC every week. This rule would clarify that bales made available, but not picked up by the shipper, can only be reported by the warehouse operator as BMAS for no longer than the first two weeks that such bales have been made available for delivery but have not yet been picked up. The rule would only change how bales not picked up are reported by the warehouse operator to CCC in the weekly; it does not change any warehouse tariffs or fees. This change would improve the quality of reported information about bales available for shipment, benefiting both CCC and the cotton industry.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene
Document Number: 2013-23503
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-09-26
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service
The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), are sponsoring a public meeting on October 23, 2013. The objective of the public meeting is to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft United States positions that will be discussed at the Forty-fifth Session of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), which will be held in Ha Noi, Vietnam, from November 11-15, 2013. The Under Secretary for Food Safety and the FDA recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the 45th Session of CCFH and to address items on the agenda.
Notice of Request for Extension of a Previously Approved Information Collection (Industry Responses to Noncompliance Records)
Document Number: 2013-23499
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-09-26
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing its intention to request an extension of a previously approved information collection concerning industry responses to noncompliance records. There are no changes to the existing information collection.
Notice of Funds Availability Under the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program
Document Number: 2013-23474
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-09-26
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Rural Business-Cooperative Service
The Rural Business-Cooperative Service announced the fiscal year (FY) 2013 funding available under the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP) in the Federal Register Vol. 78, No. 157 on Wednesday, August 14, 2013. This Notice extends the application deadline for initial loans with a technical assistance grant, initial or subsequent loan only, and technical assistance-only grants from September 13, 2013, to October 31, 2013. The Agency will make awards each Federal fiscal quarter. In the event that all program funds are not obligated in a quarter, the remaining unobligated funds will be carried over to the subsequent quarter.
Black Hills National Forest Advisory Board; Meeting
Document Number: 2013-23451
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-09-26
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The Black Hills National Forest Advisory Board (Board) will meet in Rapid City, South Dakota. The Board is established consistent with the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (5 U.S.C. App. II) (FACA), and the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1600 et.seq.) (RPA), the National Forest Management Act of 1976 (16 U.S.C. 1612) (NFMA), and the Federal Public Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (Pub. L. 108-447) (REA). The purpose of the Board is to provide advice and recommendations on a broad range of forest issues such as forest plan revisions or amendments and forest health, including fire and mountain pine beetle epidemics, travel management, forest monitoring and evaluation, recreation fees, and site-specific projects having forest-wide implications. The meeting is open to the public. The purpose of the meeting is: (1) To provide information to, and receive comments and recommendations from the Board regarding recreational facility operations, motorized travel permit fees, mountain pine beetle management actions; and (2) to provide an update to the Board regarding management actions resulting from completion of the Cave Management Environmental Impact Statement.
National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council Meetings
Document Number: 2013-23395
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-09-25
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council will meet on November 5 and 6, 2013. The meeting will be held in Pittsburgh, PA, at the Westin Convention Center Pittsburgh. The purpose of this meeting is to present past grant projects the Council recommended to the public and those attending the Partners in Community Forestry Conference; finalize their annual accomplishment and recommendations report to the Secretary; address items related to the urban forestry 10-year action plan; finalize the 2015 Urban and Community Forestry grant categories and listen to local constituents urban forestry concerns.
Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Citrus Canker; Interstate Movement of Regulated Nursery Stock and Fruit From Quarantined Areas
Document Number: 2013-23309
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-09-25
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
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 the interstate movement of regulated nursery stock and fruit from quarantined areas to prevent the spread of citrus canker.
Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of Fresh Pomegranates From Chile
Document Number: 2013-23307
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-09-25
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
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 the importation of fresh pomegranates from Chile into the continental United States.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2013-23305
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-09-25
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Phytophthora Ramorum; Quarantine and Regulations
Document Number: 2013-23301
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-09-25
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
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 the interstate movement of regulated articles to prevent the spread of Phytophthora ramorum.
Softwood Lumber Research, Promotion, Consumer Education and Industry Information Order; Changes to the Membership of the Softwood Lumber Board
Document Number: 2013-22968
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2013-09-25
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This proposal invites comments on changes to the membership of the Softwood Lumber Board (Board) established under the Softwood Lumber Research, Promotion, Consumer Education and Industry Information Order (Order). The Board administers the Order with oversight by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Under the Order, assessments are collected from U.S. manufacturers (domestic) and importers and used for projects to promote softwood lumber within the United States. This proposal would revise the Board's membership to reflect the diversity of the industry in terms of size of operation; allow companies that operate in multiple geographic regions to seek representation in any region in which they operate (U.S. or import); add flexibility for the Board to nominate eligible persons to fill vacancies that occur during a term; and re-designate the States of Virginia and West Virginia to the U.S. South Region. These changes would help facilitate program operations.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2013-23241
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-09-24
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Information Collection; Direct Loan Servicing-Regular
Document Number: 2013-23227
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-09-24
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the extension with a revision of a currently approved information collection that supports Direct Loan Servicing-Regular programs. 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, and use of proceeds. The number of respondents and annual number of responses in this information collection has been adjusted to reflect the improved reporting ability for respondents and to correct some calculation errors in the previous information collection numbers. No additional forms, response actions, or time increases (other than travel time) were added as part of this revision.
Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Swine Health
Document Number: 2013-23194
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-09-24
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
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 to prevent the interstate spread of swine diseases and protect swine health.
Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of Horses, Ruminants, Swine, and Dogs; Inspection and Treatment for Screwworm
Document Number: 2013-23193
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-09-24
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
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 the importation of horses, ruminants, swine, and dogs from regions of the world where screwworm is considered to exist.
Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Communicable Diseases in Horses
Document Number: 2013-23192
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-09-24
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
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 the interstate movement of horses that have tested positive for equine infectious anemia.
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Bird Hazard Reduction Program at John F. Kennedy International Airport
Document Number: 2013-23184
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-09-24
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
We are advising the public that a supplemental environmental impact statement will be prepared by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to analyze a proposed method for managing hazards to aircraft at John F. Kennedy International Airport associated with non- native mute swans in the Gateway National Recreation Area. This action is a supplement to the Gull Hazard Reduction Program at John F. Kennedy International Airport Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), May 1994, and the Supplemental EIS, June 2012.
Availability of an Environmental Assessment for Field Testing of a DNA Immunostimulant
Document Number: 2013-23175
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-09-24
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has prepared an environmental assessment concerning authorization to ship for the purpose of field testing, and then to field test, an unlicensed DNA Immunostimulant recommended for reduction in morbidity and mortality due to Escherichia coli in chickens and reduction in bovine respiratory disease due to Mannheimia haemolytica in cattle. The environmental assessment, which is based on a risk analysis prepared to assess the risks associated with the field testing of this veterinary biological product and related information, examines the potential effects that field testing this product could have on the quality of the human environment. Based on the risk analysis and other relevant data, we have reached a preliminary determination that field testing this product will not have a significant impact on the quality of the human environment, and that an environmental impact statement need not be prepared. We intend to authorize shipment of this product for field testing following the close of the comment period for this notice unless new substantial issues bearing on the effects of this action are brought to our attention. We also intend to issue a U.S. Veterinary Biological Product license for this product, provided the field test data support the conclusions of the environmental assessment and the issuance of a finding of no significant impact and the product meets all other requirements for licensing.
Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision (ROD) and Findings of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Grand Prairie Area Demonstration Project
Document Number: 2013-23134
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-09-24
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service
This notice announces NRCS' adoption, under provisions provided for in 40 CFR 1506.3 of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) entitled: ``General Reevaluation Report and Environmental Impact Statement for the Grand Prairie Demonstration Project dated September 1999'' (GRR/EIS) and the availability of an associated NRCS ROD. NRCS has also adopted the two Environmental Assessments (EAs) associated with the project entitled: ``Environmental Assessment Grand Prairie Area Demonstration Project, Post General Reevaluation Design Changes'' (2004 EA) and ``Environmental Assessment Grand Prairie Area Demonstration Project Canal Realignment and Pumping Station Borrow Area, Prairie County, Arkansas'' (2010 EA), and an NRCS FONSI for each EA is available.
Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision (ROD) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Bayou Meto Basin Project, Arkansas
Document Number: 2013-23133
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-09-24
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service
This notice announces NRCS' adoption, under provisions provided for in 40 CFR 1506.3 of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) entitled: ``General Reevaluation Report and Environmental Impact Statement for the Bayou Meto Basin project dated November 2006 and revised March 2007'' (GRR/ EIS) and the availability of an associated NRCS ROD. NRCS has also adopted the Environmental Assessment (EA) entitled ``Final Environmental Assessment Bayou Meto Basin, Arkansas Post General Reevaluation Design Changes'' dated July 21, 2010, and an NRCS FONSI for the EA is available.
Proposed Fee Schedule for Commercial Filming and Still Photography Permits
Document Number: 2013-23186
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-09-23
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management
The Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture are extending the public comment period for the proposed fee schedule for commercial filming and still photography conducted on public lands under their jurisdiction. The additional comment period is in response to a request.
Importation of Litchi Fruit From Australia
Document Number: 2013-23044
Type: Rule
Date: 2013-09-23
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
We are amending the regulations in order to allow, under certain conditions, the importation of commercial shipments of litchi fruit from Australia into the continental United States, except Florida. As a condition of entry, the litchi fruit must be treated with irradiation and subject to inspection. If irradiation is applied outside the United States, the fruit must be inspected jointly by inspectors from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the national plant protection organization (NPPO) of Australia prior to departure and accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the NPPO of Australia certifying that the fruit received the required irradiation treatment. If irradiation is to be applied upon arrival in the United States, the fruit must be inspected by Australian inspectors prior to departure and accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the NPPO of Australia. Additionally, the litchi fruit may not be imported into or distributed within the State of Florida, due to the presence of litchi rust mite in Australia. This action allows for the importation of litchi fruit from Australia into the continental United States, except Florida, while continuing to provide protection against the introduction of quarantine pests.
Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Requirements for Poultry and Hatching Eggs for Export
Document Number: 2013-23039
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-09-23
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
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 export of poultry and hatching eggs from the United States.
Notice of Request for Approval of an Information Collection; National Animal Health Monitoring System; Bison 2014 Study
Document Number: 2013-23038
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-09-23
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request approval of a new information collection for the National Animal Health Monitoring System's Bison 2014 Study to support the bison industry of the United States.
Notice of Request for Approval of an Information Collection; National Animal Health Monitoring System; Cervid 2014 Study
Document Number: 2013-23037
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-09-23
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request approval of a new information collection for the National Animal Health Monitoring System's Cervid 2014 Study to support the farmed cervid industry in the United States.
Notice of Intent To Review Online Homeownership Education Courses for Nationwide Use in the Single Family Housing Section 502 Direct Loan Program
Document Number: 2013-23032
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-09-23
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Rural Housing Service
Effective on May 7, 2007, first-time homebuyers financed under the direct loan program must successfully complete an approved homeownership education course prior to loan closing. 7 CFR Part 3550.11 outlines the order of preference given to courses. First preference is given to classroom, one-on-one counseling, or interactive video conference. These formats are generally extensive and require a significant time and participation commitment from the Agency applicants. Second preference is given to interactive home-study or interactive telephone counseling of at least four hours duration. These formats may only be used if the formats under the first preference are not reasonably available. Third preference, which can only be used if all other formats are not reasonably available, is given to online counseling. It also outlines the requirements an education provider and their course must meet in order to be approved for use by Agency applicants. While approval is generally made by the Agency at the state level, there is currently one nationally approved online education provider. To expand the Agency applicants' access to and options of approved education providers, the Agency will consider approving other online education providers on a national level. Approval will be subject to meeting course criteria, a recommendation by the Agency-selected panel of housing partners, and signoff by the Administrator. Approval will be given as a third preference format unless the education provider is able to demonstrate and document how their online course along with a required supplemented service provides the same level of training and individualized attention as a first or second preference. A notice of education providers approved through this process will be issued via a memorandum to the Rural Development (RD) state offices. The memorandum will list the format preference assigned to each provider. A copy of the memorandum will be simultaneously emailed to all education providers who applied through this notice. Approvals are not subject to expiration. However, an approval may be revoked for justifiable cause.
Cleveland National Forest, California, SDG&E Master Special Use Permit and Permit To Construct Power Line Replacement Projects EIR/EIS
Document Number: 2013-22904
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-09-23
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, notice is hereby given that the Cleveland National Forest (CNF), together with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), intends to prepare a joint Environmental Impact Report and Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS), for the San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) Master Special Use Permit and Permit to Construct Power Line Replacement Projects. The Master Special Use Permit would authorize SDG&E to upgrade and/or relocate certain electric powerlines on National Forest System lands, while providing for the operation and maintenance of the SDG&E electric powerline system. The project area is located in multiple locations within the Trabuco, Palomar, and Descanso Ranger Districts, Cleveland National Forest, Orange and San Diego Counties, California. This action is needed because the existing authorizations are expired, and the existing powerlines are needed to supply power to local communities, residents, businesses, and government owned facilities located within and adjacent to the National Forest. The project study area not only traverses National Forest System lands, but due to the patchwork of land ownership in the project study area, also traverses the National System of Public Lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM); tribal lands of the La Jolla, Campo, Inaja, and Viejas Indian Reservations managed by the respective tribes and held in trust by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA); Cuyamaca Rancho State Park lands managed by California State Parks (CSP); and private holdings within unincorporated San Diego County amongst others.
Ravalli County Resource Advisory Committee
Document Number: 2013-22901
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-09-20
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The Ravalli County Resource Advisory Committee will meet in Hamilton, MT. 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 the title II of the Act. The meeting is open to the public. The purpose of the meeting is to provide information regarding the monitoring of RAC projects.
Importation of Mangoes From Australia Into the Continental United States
Document Number: 2013-22786
Type: Rule
Date: 2013-09-19
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
We are amending the regulations concerning the importation of fruits and vegetables to allow the importation of fresh mangoes from Australia into the continental United States. As a condition of entry, the mangoes would have to be produced in accordance with a systems approach employing a combination of mitigation measures for the fungus Cytosphaera mangiferae and would have to be inspected prior to exportation from Australia and found free of this disease. The mangoes would have to be imported in commercial consignments only and would have to be treated by irradiation to mitigate the risk of the mango seed weevil and fruit flies. The mangoes would also have to be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate with an additional declaration that the conditions for importation have been met. This action would allow the importation of mangoes from Australia while continuing to protect against the introduction of plant pests into the United States.
A Reinstatement of a Previously Approved Information Collection
Document Number: 2013-22712
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-09-18
Agency: Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations (5 CFR part 1320), which implements the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) intention to request a reinstatement of a previously approved information collection for the NIFA Current Research Information System (CRIS).
Shasta County Resource Advisory Committee
Document Number: 2013-22621
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-09-18
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The Shasta County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) meeting scheduled on the date below is cancelled. The meeting was scheduled to meet in Redding, California. The RAC is authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (the Act) (Pub. L. 110-343) and operates in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (Pub. L. 92-463).
Animal Welfare; Retail Pet Stores and Licensing Exemptions
Document Number: 2013-22616
Type: Rule
Date: 2013-09-18
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
We are revising the definition of retail pet store and related regulations in order to ensure that the definition of retail pet store in the regulations is consistent with the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), thereby bringing more pet animals sold at retail under the protection of the AWA. Specifically, we are narrowing the definition of retail pet store to mean a place of business or residence at which the seller, buyer, and the animal available for sale are physically present so that every buyer may personally observe the animal prior to purchasing and/ or taking custody of that animal after purchase, and where only certain animals are sold or offered for sale, at retail, for use as pets. Retail pet stores are not required to be licensed and inspected under the AWA. In addition, we are removing the limitation on the source of gross income from the licensing exemption in the regulations for any person who does not sell or negotiate the sale of any wild or exotic animal, dog, or cat and who derives no more than $500 gross income from the sale of the animals other than wild or exotic animals, dogs, or cats during any calendar year. We are also increasing from three to four the number of breeding female dogs, cats, and/or small exotic or wild mammals that a person may maintain on his or her premises and be exempt from the licensing and inspection requirements if he or she sells only the offspring of those animals born and raised on his or her premises, for pets or exhibition. This exemption applies regardless of whether those animals are sold at retail or wholesale. These actions are necessary so that all animals sold at retail for use as pets are monitored for their health and humane treatment.
United States Standards for Condition of Food Containers
Document Number: 2013-22574
Type: Rule
Date: 2013-09-17
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is amending the regulations governing the United States (U.S.) Standards for Condition of Food Containers. The revisions to existing tables, removal of operating characteristic (OC) curves and updating language in the standards would enable the standards to be applicable to most types of food containers and align the standards to reflect current industry practices.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Form FNS-46, Issuance Reconciliation
Document Number: 2013-22572
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-09-17
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is publishing for public comment a summary of a proposed information collection. This is a revision of a currently approved collection for form FNS-46, Issuance Reconciliation Report, which concerns benefit issuance operations in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The form will be modified and simplified. FNS plans to update the form FNS-46, to capture Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) benefit issuances and returns data. This form update will ensure D-SNAP data will be more readily available, enabling FNS to respond to requests from multiple agencies on contributions to Federal disaster relief efforts. The form will be simplified since it no longer captures coupon issuances and returns. (Food stamp coupons were deobligated in 2009.) Instead it will summarize Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) issuances and returns.
Walnuts Grown in California; Increased Assessment Rate
Document Number: 2013-22571
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2013-09-17
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This proposed rule would increase the assessment rate established for the California Walnut Board (Board) for the 2013-14 and subsequent marketing years from $0.0175 to $0.0189 per kernelweight pound of merchantable walnuts. The Board locally administers the marketing order which regulates the handling of walnuts grown in California. Assessments upon walnut handlers are used by the Board to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The marketing year begins September 1 and ends August 31. The assessment rate would remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.
Avocados Grown in South Florida; Increased Assessment Rate
Document Number: 2013-22539
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2013-09-17
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This proposed rule would increase the assessment rate established for the Avocado Administrative Committee (Committee) for the 2013-14 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.25 to $0.30 per 55- pound bushel container of Florida avocados handled. The Committee locally administers the marketing order, which regulates the handling of avocados grown in South Florida. Assessments upon Florida avocado handlers are used by the Committee to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The fiscal period begins April 1 and ends March 31. The assessment rate would remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.
Forest Resource Coordinating Committee
Document Number: 2013-22525
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-09-17
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The Forest Resource Coordinating Committee Meeting will meet in Rosslyn, Virginia. The Committee is authorized under Section 8005 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the Act) (Pub. L. 110- 246). The purpose of the Committee is to provide direction and coordination of actions within the Department of Agriculture, and coordination with State agencies and the private sector, to effectively address the national priorities for non-industrial private forest land. The purpose of this meeting is to develop recommendations to submit to the Secretary regarding alignment of landowner assistance delivery systems, forest inventory and analysis, markets, climate change adaptation, forest conditions, threats to forest health, and landscape scale conservation and management. The meeting is open to the public.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses
Document Number: 2013-22488
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-09-16
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service
The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Office of Nutrition, Labeling, and Dietary Supplements are sponsoring a public meeting on October 3, 2013. The objective of the public meeting is to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft United States positions that will be discussed at the Thirty-fifth session of the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses (CCNFSDU), taking place in Bad Soden am Taunus, Germany from November 4-8, 2013. The Under Secretary for Food Safety and the FDA recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the 35th session of the CCNFSDU and to address items on the agenda.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2013-22451
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-09-16
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2013-22409
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-09-16
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Vidalia Onions Grown in Georgia; Change in Reporting and Assessment Requirements
Document Number: 2013-22407
Type: Rule
Date: 2013-09-16
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that changed the reporting and assessment requirements prescribed under the marketing order for Vidalia onions grown in Georgia (order). The interim rule changed the date by which handlers are required to submit monthly shipping reports and their corresponding assessments to the Vidalia Onion Committee (Committee) from the fifth day of the month to the tenth day of the month. In addition, the interim rule also changed the due date to the first business day after the tenth day of the month, should the tenth fall on a weekend or a holiday. These changes benefit handlers without negatively affecting program compliance.
National Organic Program-Sunset Process
Document Number: 2013-22388
Type: Rule
Date: 2013-09-16
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This document describes the sunset review and renewal process for substances on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List), a subpart of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) organic regulations. The Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (OFPA) requires that the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), a 15-member federal advisory committee, review all substances and that the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) renew these substances, within 5 years of their addition to or renewal on the National List. This action of NOSB review and USDA renewal is commonly referred to as the ``Sunset Process.'' This document informs stakeholders about the process that the NOSB will use to complete their responsibility to review substances under OFPA's sunset provision. This document also informs stakeholders about the process that the Secretary and the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP) will use to complete the USDA's responsibilities under OFPA's sunset provision.
Paper and Paper-Based Packaging Promotion, Research and Information Order
Document Number: 2013-22330
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2013-09-16
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This document proposes a Paper and Paper-Based Packaging Promotion, Research and Information Order (Order). The purpose of the program would be to maintain and expand markets for paper and paper- based packaging. The program would be financed by an assessment on paper and paper-based packaging manufacturers (domestic producers) and importers and would be administered by a board of industry members appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary). The assessment rate would initially be $0.35 per short ton. This document also announces that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is conducting a referendum among eligible manufacturers and importers to determine whether they favor implementation of the program. The program would be implemented if it is favored by a majority of current U.S. manufacturers and importers voting in the referendum who also represent a majority of the volume of paper and paper-based packaging represented in the referendum who, during a representative period determined by the Secretary, were engaged in the manufacturing or importation of paper and paper-based packaging into the United States. A separate final rule on referendum procedures is being published in this issue of the Federal Register.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.