Department of Agriculture May 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
Results 51 - 87 of 87
Request for Revision to and Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for an extension of and revision to the currently approved information collection ``Livestock, Poultry, Meat, and Grain Market News Reports'' (0186-0033), which AMS is proposing to retitle as the ``Livestock, Poultry, and Grain Market News.''
Notice of Availability of an Evaluation of the Classical Swine Fever, Swine Vesicular Disease, African Swine Fever, Foot-and-Mouth Disease, and Rinderpest Status of Malta
We are advising the public that we are proposing to recognize the Republic of Malta as being free of swine vesicular disease, African swine fever, foot-and-mouth disease, and rinderpest subject to conditions in the regulations governing the importation of certain animals and animal products into the United States. We are also proposing adding the Republic of Malta to the APHIS-defined European classical swine fever region that is subject to conditions described in the regulations. We are proposing these actions based on a risk evaluation we have prepared in connection with this action, which we are making available for review and comment.
General Conference Committee of the National Poultry Improvement Plan; Solicitation for Membership; Correction
We are correcting an error in a notice announcing that the Secretary of Agriculture is soliciting nominations for the election of members and alternates to the General Conference Committee of the National Poultry Improvement Plan. The notice was published in the Federal Register on March 1, 2016.
Meeting Notice of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board
In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App 2, Section 1408 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3123), and the Agricultural Act of 2014, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announces an open meeting of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board.
Secure Rural Schools Resource Advisory Committees
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominations for the Secure Rural Schools Resource Advisory Committees (SRS RACs) pursuant the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self- Determination Act (Pub. L. 110-343) (the Act) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (5 U.S.C., App. 2). Additional information on the SRS RACs can be found by visiting SRS RACs Web site at: https:// www.fs.usda.gov/pts/.
Notice of Availability of an Evaluation of the Fever Tick Status of the State of Chihuahua, Excluding the Municipalities of Guadalupe y Calvo and Morelos
We are notifying the public that we have prepared an evaluation of the State of Chihuahua, excluding the municipalities of Guadalupe y Calvo and Morelos, for fever ticks. The evaluation concludes that this region is free from fever ticks, and that ruminants imported from the area pose a low risk of exposing ruminants within the United States to fever ticks. We are making the evaluation available for review and comment.
Availability of an Environmental Assessment for Issuance of a Permit for Distribution and Sale for Emergency Use of a Classical Swine Fever Virus Vaccine, Live Pestivirus Vector
We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has prepared an environmental assessment concerning authorization to import under permit, for distribution and sale for emergency use, a Classical Swine Fever Virus Vaccine, Live Pestivirus Vector. The environmental assessment, which is based on a risk analysis prepared to assess the risks associated with the use of this vaccine, examines the potential effects that this veterinary vaccine 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 use of this veterinary vaccine 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 vaccine under permit for distribution and sale for emergency use in the United States 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 and provided the product meets all requirements for approval.
Availability of an Environmental Assessment for Field Testing of a Vaccine for Use Against Infectious Laryngotracheitis, Marek's Disease, and Newcastle Disease
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 Infectious Laryngotracheitis-Marek's Disease- Newcastle Disease Vaccine, Serotype 3, Live Marek's Disease Vector. Based on the environmental assessment, risk analysis and other relevant data, we have reached a preliminary determination that field testing this veterinary vaccine will not have a significant impact on the quality of the human environment. We are making the documents available to the public for review and comment.
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
An interim rule, with request for comments, was published on December 12, 2014, to implement changes to EQIP that were either required by the Agricultural Act of 2014 (the 2014 Act) or required to implement administrative streamlining improvements and clarifications. This document provides background on the final rule, issues the final rule to make permanent these changes, responds to comments, and makes further adjustments in response to some of the comments received.
Agency Information Collection Activities: State Agency (NSLP/SNAP) Direct Certification Rate Data Element Report (FNS-834)
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on this proposed information collection. This collection is a reinstatement, without change, of a previously approved collection for which approval has expired for the State Agency (NSLP/SNAP) Direct Certification Rate Data Element Report (FNS-834).
Medicine Bow-Routt Resource Advisory Committee
The Medicine Bow-Routt Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Walden, Colorado. The committee is authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (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. RAC information can be found at the following Web site: https:// www.fs.usda.gov/goto/mbr/advisorycommittee.
Importation of Lemons From Northwest Argentina
We are proposing to amend the fruits and vegetables regulations to allow the importation of lemons from northwest Argentina into the continental United States. As a condition of entry, lemons from northwest Argentina would have to be produced in accordance with a systems approach that would include requirements for importation in commercial consignments; registration and monitoring of places of production and packinghouses; pest-free places of production; grove sanitation, monitoring, and pest control practices; treatment with a surface disinfectant; lot identification; and inspection for quarantine pests by the Argentine national plant protection organization. Additionally, lemons from northwest Argentina would have to be harvested green and within a certain time period, or treated for Medfly in accordance with an approved treatment schedule. Lemons from northwest Argentina would also be required to be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate with an additional declaration stating that the lemons have been inspected and found to be free of quarantine pests and were produced in accordance with the proposed requirements. This action would allow for the importation of lemons from northwest Argentina into the United States while continuing to provide protection against the introduction of quarantine pests.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP)
This proposed rule would amend the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly the Food Stamp Program) regulations to establish procedures for planning, requesting and operating a Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP). The rulemaking is necessary to implement a section of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. This rulemaking also addresses a section of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1988 and accompanying Executive Order 12673, which provides the authority for the Department to determine the need for SNAP assistance during a presidentially-declared disaster.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Multi-Family Housing Program 2016 Industry Forums-Open Teleconference and/or Web Conference Meetings
This Notice announces a series of Teleconferences and/or Web Conference Meetings regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Multi-Family Housing program. The Teleconference and/or Web Conference Meetings will be scheduled on a quarterly basis, but may be held more often at the Agency's discretion. This Notice also outlines suggested discussion topics for the meetings and is intended to notify the general public of their opportunity to participate in the Teleconference and/or Web Conference Meetings.
Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection (Import of Undenatured Inedible Product)
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 renew the approved information collection regarding the importation of undenatured inedible meat and egg products into the United States. The approval for this information collection will expire on August 31, 2016.
Retail Exemptions Adjusted Dollar Limitations
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing the dollar limitations on the amount of meat and meat food products, poultry, and poultry products that a retail store can sell to hotels, restaurants, and similar institutions without disqualifying itself for exemption from Federal inspection requirements. In accordance with FSIS's regulations, for calendar year 2016, the dollar limitation for meat and meat food products is being increased from $76,900 to $79,200. The new value for the dollar limitation for poultry and poultry products remains unchanged at $58,200. FSIS is changing the dollar limitations from calendar year 2015 based on price changes for these products evidenced by the Consumer Price Index. FSIS has provided an 18-month transitional period for mandatory inspection of Siluriformes fish and fish products. FSIS is currently considering the retail dollar limitations for this product. At this time, FSIS will not apply the meat retail dollar limitations to Siluriformes fish and fish products sold at retail because FSIS is assessing retail and similar institutions that produce this product during the 18-month period and because the Consumer Price Index for meat and meat products does not apply to Siluriformes fish and fish products.
Office of the Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics; Notice of the Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture Meeting
Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2, the United States Department of Agriculture announces a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture (AC21). The committee is being convened to: consider work of the three ad hoc subgroups on the progress of their analyses relevant to the new AC21 charge; discuss a draft outline for the committee's next report and selected draft content, including a draft guidance document for producers and a draft model for facilitating local conversations around coexistence; and continue overall discussions on the committee charge and planning the completion of its work.
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Baked Beans
This document revises the United States Standards for Grades of Canned Baked Beans. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) revised the standards to replace process-specific language ``Product Description'' in the standard with language reflective of current canned baked bean manufacturing practices. Additionally, AMS separated the canned dried beans, canned pork and beans, and canned baked beans grade standards from one shared standard document into three separate documents. These revisions bring the grade standards for canned baked beans in line with the present quality levels being marketed today and provide guidance in the effective use of these products.
United States Standards for Grades of Cauliflower
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is proposing to revise the United States Standards for Grades of Cauliflower. The current U.S. grade standards do not have provisions for grading purple, orange, or green cauliflower. The proposed revision would amend the color requirement to allow all colors of cauliflower to be certified to a U.S. grade. In addition, AMS proposes to amend the size requirement to allow curds less than 4 inches in diameter to be certified to a grade; to add marking requirements to sizes less than 4 inches in diameter; and, to remove the unclassified section.
Ravalli Resource Advisory Committee
The Ravalli Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Hamilton, Montana. The committee is authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (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. RAC information can be found at the following Web site: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/ bitterroot/workingtogether/advisorycommittees.
Ravalli Resource Advisory Committee
The Ravalli Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Hamilton, Montana. The committee is authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (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. RAC information can be found at the following Web site: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/ bitterroot/workingtogether/advisorycommittees.
Increase in Fiscal Year 2016 Specialty Sugar Tariff-Rate Quota, and Determination of Total Amounts of Fiscal Year 2017 WTO Tariff-Rate Quotas for Raw Cane Sugar and Certain Sugars, Syrups and Molasses
The Office of the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (the Secretary) is providing notice of an increase in the fiscal year (FY) 2016 specialty sugar tariff-rate quota (TRQ) of 20,000 metric tons raw value (MTRV). The Secretary also announces the establishment of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 (October 1, 2016-September 30, 2017) in-quota aggregate quantity of raw cane sugar at 1,117,195 metric tons raw value (MTRV), and the establishment of the FY 2017 in-quota aggregate quantity of certain sugars, syrups, and molasses (also referred to as refined sugar) at 162,000 MTRV.
Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Rural Housing Service's (RHS) intention to request an extension for the currently approved information collection in support of our program for Complaints and Compensation for Construction Defects.
Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Grant; Correction
The Agency published a document in the Federal Register of January 14, 2016 at 81 FR 1861 establishing a technical assistance and training grant program for qualified public bodies, nonprofit corporations, and federally recognized tribes and Indian Tribes on Federal and State Reservations that will serve rural areas for the purpose of enabling the grantees to provide technical assistance and training with respect to essential community facilities authorized under section 306(a)(1) of the CONACT (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)) This document has an incorrect cross-reference and an ineligible project purpose which needs to be removed due to the publication of the new 7 CFR part 1970 regulations.
2016 Rates Charged for AMS Services
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is announcing the 2016 rates it will charge for voluntary grading, inspection, certification, auditing and laboratory services for a variety of agricultural commodities including meat and poultry, fruits and vegetables, eggs, dairy products, and cotton and tobacco. The 2016 regular, overtime, holiday, and laboratory services rates will be applied at the beginning of the crop year, fiscal year or as required by law (June 1 for cotton programs) depending on the commodity. This action established the rates for user-funded programs based on costs incurred by AMS.
Notice of Availability of Proposed Changes to Section I of the Indiana Field Office Technical Guide for Public Review and Comment
NRCS is proposing to revise Section I of the Indiana Field Office Technical Guide to include ``Guidance for Indiana Wetland Determinations, Including the use of Offsite Methods, to Identify Wetlands, Wetland Types, and Their Size for the 1985 Food Security Act, as amended,'' which will replace the existing ``Wetland Mapping Conventions for Agricultural Land and Narrow Band and Small Pocket Inclusions of Non-Agricultural Land'' (commonly referred as State Wetland Mapping Conventions).
Southern New Mexico Resource Advisory Committee
The Southern New Mexico Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Socorro, New Mexico. The committee is authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (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. RAC information can be found at the following Web site: https:// www.fs.usda.gov/main/gila/workingtogether/advisorycommittees.
Environmental Policies and Procedures; Corrections
This document corrects errors in the final rule that appeared in the Federal Register of March 2, 2016, entitled ``Environmental Policies and Procedures.'' The rule replaced two existing rules relating to the Agency's procedures for implementing NEPA.
Environmental Policies and Procedures; Correction
The Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Rural Housing Service, Rural Utilities Service, and Farm Service Agency published a document in the Federal Register on March 2, 2016 (81 FR 11000), entitled ``Environmental Policies and Procedures.'' The rule replaced two existing rules related to the Agency's procedures for implementing NEPA. This correction will replace the introductory text to paragraph (a) of Sec. 1955.136.
Black Hills National Forest Advisory Board
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), the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1600 et seq.), the National Forest Management Act of 1976 (16 U.S.C. 1612), and the Federal Public Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (Pub. L. 108-447). Board information can be found at the following Web site: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/blackhills/workingtogether/ advisorycommittees.
Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program
The Rural Housing Service (RHS or Agency) is amending the current regulation for the Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program (SFHGLP) on the subjects of lender indemnification, refinancing, and qualified mortgage requirements. The Agency is expanding its lender indemnification authority for loss claims in the case of fraud, misrepresentation, or noncompliance with applicable loan origination requirements. This action is taken to continue the Agency's efforts to improve and expand the risk management of the SFHGLP. The Agency is amending its refinancing provisions to simply require that the new interest rate not exceed the interest rate on the original loan and to add a new refinance option, ``streamlined-assist.'' Finally, the agency is amending its regulation to indicate that a loan guaranteed by RHS is a Qualified Mortgage if it meets certain requirements set forth by the Consumer Protection Finance Bureau (CFPB).
Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for an extension of a currently approved information collection for the Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements Under Regulations Under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act, 1930, as amended.
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