Department of Agriculture May 8, 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
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Ongoing Equivalence Verifications of Foreign Food Regulatory Systems
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is responding to comments on the Federal Register notice, ``Ongoing Equivalence Verifications of Foreign Food Regulatory Systems,'' it published on January 25, 2013.
Notice of Intent To Grant Exclusive License
Notice is hereby given that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, intends to grant to Washington State Crop Improvement Association of Pullman, Washington, an exclusive license to the variety of field pea described in Plant Variety Protection Certificate Application Number 201500303, ``HAMPTON,'' dated April 13, 2015.
Notice of Decision To Authorize the Interstate Movement of Sea Asparagus Tips From Hawaii Into the Continental United States
We are advising the public of our decision to authorize the interstate movement of fresh sea asparagus tips from Hawaii into the continental United States. Based on the findings of a pest list and a risk management document, which we made available to the public for review and comment through a previous notice, we have concluded that the application of one or more designated phytosanitary measures will be sufficient to mitigate the risks of introducing or disseminating plant pests or noxious weeds via the movement of fresh sea asparagus tips from Hawaii into the continental United States.
Blueberry Promotion, Research and Information Order; Expanding the Membership of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council and Other Changes
This proposal invites comments on expanding the membership of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (Council) under the Blueberry Promotion, Research and Information Order (Order). The Council administers the Order with oversight by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This proposal would increase the number of Council members from 16 to 20, adding two producers, one importer, and one exporter. This would help ensure that the Council reflects the geographical distribution of domestic blueberry production and imports into the United States. This proposal would also add eligibility requirements for the public member, clarify the Council's nomination procedures and its ability to serve the diversity of the industry, and increase the number of members needed for a quorum. This proposal also invites comments on prescribing late payment and interest charges for past due assessments. These changes would help facilitate program administration. All of these actions were unanimously recommended by the Council.
Value-Added Producer Grant Program
The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (Agency) is publishing this final rule for the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program. This final rule modifies the interim rule for VAPG based on comments received on the interim rule, which was published on February 23, 2011, on the Agricultural Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill), and on a listening session, held on April 25, 2014, on the VAPG provisions in the 2014 Farm Bill. Under the final rule, grants will be made to help eligible producers of agricultural commodities enter into or expand value-added activities including the development of feasibility studies, business plans, and marketing strategies. The program also provides working capital for expenses such as implementing an existing viable marketing strategy. The program provides a priority for funding for applicants that are Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, Veteran Farmers and Ranchers, Socially- Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers, operators of Small- and Medium- sized Family Farms and Ranches, Farmer and Rancher Cooperatives and applicants that propose a Mid-Tier Value Chain project. Additional priority points will be given to Agricultural Producer Groups, Farmer or Rancher Cooperatives, and Majority-Controlled Producer-Based Business Ventures whose projects ``best contribute'' to creating or increasing marketing opportunities for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, Veteran Farmers and Ranchers, Socially-Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers, and operators of Small- and Medium-sized Family Farms and Ranches. Further, it creates two reserved funds, each of which will include 10 percent of program funds each year, for applications that support opportunities for Beginning and Socially-Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and for proposed projects that develop mid-tier value marketing chains.
Inviting Applications for Value-Added Producer Grants
This Notice announces that the Rural Business-Cooperative Service (Agency) is accepting fiscal year (FY) 2015 applications for the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program. Approximately $30 million in funding is available to help agricultural producers enter into value-added activities for FY 2015. Approximately $10.2 million has been appropriated through the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2015 and the remaining funds have been made available through either carry over funding from FY 2014 or through the Agricultural Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill). The Agency is concurrently publishing a final rule that will revise the current VAPG regulation at 7 CFR part 4284, subpart J in response to: The 2014 Farm Bill; comments received on the interim rule, which was published on February 23, 2011 (76 FR 10122); a listening session, held on April 25, 2014, on the VAPG provisions in the 2014 Farm Bill; and to provide program clarifications. The Agency is encouraging applications that directs grants to projects based in or serving census tracts with poverty rates greater than or equal to 20 percent. This emphasis will support Rural Development's (RD) mission of improving the quality of life for rural Americans and commitment to directing resources to those who most need them.
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