Department of Agriculture April 21, 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

As part of our implementation of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (commonly referred to as the 2014 Farm Bill), the Rural Business- Cooperative Service (RBS) is hosting a listening session for initial public input about changes to Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program for which RBS has been delegated the authority to implement. The 2014 Farm Bill specifically identifies two new provisions to be implemented for VAPG(1) an additional priority preference for veteran farmers or ranchers and (2) a priority for projects that best contribute to creating or increasing marketing opportunities for beginning farmers or ranchers, socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, operators of small-and medium-sized family farms and ranches that are structured as family farms, and/or veteran farmers or ranchers. RBS is holding this listening session specifically to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to voice their priorities, concerns, and requests on the ``best contributing'' priority. Instructions regarding registering for and attending the listening session are in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) is requesting comments from all interested individuals and organizations on an extension with a revision of a currently approved information collection associated with the Volunteer Program.

GIPSA is announcing the designation of J.W. Barton Grain Inspection Service, Inc. (Barton); Central Illinois Grain Inspection, Inc. (Central Illinois); Central Iowa Grain Inspection Corporation (Central Iowa); Farwell Commodity and Grain Services, Inc. (Farwell SW); North Dakota Grain Inspection Service, Inc. (North Dakota); Northern Plains Grain Inspection Service, Inc. (Northern Plains); and Plainview Grain Inspection and Weighing Service, Inc. (Plainview) to provide official services under the United States Grain Standards Act (USGSA), as amended.

The Wrangell-Petersburg Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Wrangell, Alaska and Petersburg, Alaska. 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 Title II of the Act. The meetings are open to the public. The purpose of the meetings is to review the progress of previously funded projects, review project proposals and make recommendations for allocation of Title II funds.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing its intention to request a new information collection for a survey of the meat slaughter industry.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing the availability of the ``FSIS Best Practices Guidance for Controlling Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) in Retail Delicatessens.'' The best- practices guidance discusses steps that retailers can take to prevent listeriosis associated with the consumption of certain ready-to-eat (RTE) foods that are prepared or sliced in retail delicatessens (delis) and consumed in the home, such as deli meats and deli salads. FSIS encourages retailers to review the guidance and evaluate the effectiveness of their retail practices and intervention strategies in reducing the risk of listeriosis to consumers from RTE meat and poultry deli products. The Agency will consider all comments submitted and will revise the best-practices guidance as necessary.

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is announcing the release of the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) Request for Applications (RFA) at www.nifa.usda.gov/ vmlrp.