Department of Agriculture February 2017 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Importation, Interstate Movement, and Environmental Release of Certain Genetically Engineered Organisms
Document Number: 2017-02783
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2017-02-10
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
We are extending the comment period for our proposed rule that would revise our regulations regarding the importation, interstate movement, and environmental release of certain genetically engineered organisms in order to update the regulations in response to advances in genetic engineering and understanding of the plant pest and noxious weed risk posed by genetically engineered organisms, thereby reducing burden for regulated entities whose organisms pose no plant pest or noxious weed risks. This action will allow interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments.
Importation of Hass Avocados From Colombia
Document Number: 2017-02781
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2017-02-10
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
We are extending the comment period for a proposed rule to allow the importation of Hass avocados from Colombia into the continental United States. This action will allow interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2017-02691
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-02-09
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2017-02690
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-02-09
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2017-02687
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-02-09
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2017-02686
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-02-09
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Roadless Area Conservation; National Forest System Lands in Colorado; Delay of Effective Date
Document Number: 2017-02625
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-02-09
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
This document delays the effective date of a final rule titled, ``Roadless Area Conservation; National Forest System Lands in Colorado,'' that was published in the Federal Register on December 19, 2016 reinstating the North Fork Coal Mining Area exception to the Colorado Roadless Rule.
National Organic Program (NOP); Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices
Document Number: 2017-02608
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-02-09
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
Consistent with the Memorandum of January 20, 2017, from the Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff, entitled, ``Regulatory Freeze Pending Review,'' this action delays the effective date for 60 days for the rule, Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices. This rule, published in the Federal Register on January 19, 2017, amends the organic livestock and poultry production requirements by adding new provisions for livestock handling and transport for slaughter and avian living conditions; and expands and clarifies existing requirements covering livestock care and production practices and mammalian living conditions. The rule was originally set to take effect on March 20, 2017.
Poultry Grower Ranking Systems
Document Number: 2017-02497
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2017-02-07
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration
Consistent with the memorandum of January 20, 2017, to the heads of executive departments and agencies from the Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff entitled ``Regulatory Freeze Pending Review,'' the Department of Agriculture's Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) is extending by 30 days the public comment period for this proposed rule, which was published on December 20, 2016. This proposed rule identifies criteria that the Secretary may consider when determining whether a live poultry dealer's use of a poultry grower ranking system for ranking poultry growers for settlement purposes is unfair, unjustly discriminatory, or deceptive or gives an undue or unreasonable preference, advantage, prejudice, or disadvantage. The proposed amendments also clarify that absent demonstration of a legitimate business justification, failing to use a poultry grower ranking system in a fair manner after applying the identified criteria is unfair, unjustly discriminatory, or deceptive and a violation of section 202(a) of the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921, as amended and supplemented (P&S Act), regardless of whether it harms or is likely to harm competition.
Scope of Sections 202(a) and (b) of the Packers and Stockyards Act
Document Number: 2017-02496
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-02-07
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration
Consistent with the memorandum of January 20, 2017, to the heads of executive departments and agencies from the Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff entitled ``Regulatory Freeze Pending Review,'' the Department of Agriculture's Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) is extending the public comment period and delaying the effective date of the rule published on December 20, 2016. This interim final rule adds a paragraph to Sec. 201.3 addressing the scope of sections 202(a) and (b) of the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921, as amended and supplemented (P&S Act) in order to clarify that conduct or action may violate sections 202(a) and (b) of the P&S Act without adversely affecting, or having a likelihood of adversely affecting, competition. This rule was originally set to take effect on February 21, 2017.
Unfair Practices and Undue Preferences in Violation of the Packers and Stockyards Act
Document Number: 2017-02495
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2017-02-07
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration
Consistent with the memorandum of January 20, 2017, to the heads of executive departments and agencies from the Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff entitled ``Regulatory Freeze Pending Review,'' the Department of Agriculture's Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) is extending by 30 days the public comment period for this proposed rule, which was published on December 20, 2016. This proposed rule would clarify the conduct or action by packers, swine contractors, or live poultry dealers that GIPSA considers unfair, unjustly discriminatory, or deceptive and a violation of section 202(a) of the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921, as amended and supplemented (P&S Act). This proposed rule would also identify criteria that the Secretary would consider in determining whether conduct or action by packers, swine contractors, or live poultry dealers constitutes an undue or unreasonable preference or advantage and a violation of section 202(b) of the P&S Act.
Juneau Advisory Committee
Document Number: 2017-02452
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-02-07
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The Juneau Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Juneau AK. 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/pts/ specialprojects/racweb.
National Advisory Committee for Implementation of the National Forest System Land Management Planning Rule
Document Number: 2017-02371
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-02-06
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The National Advisory Committee for Implementation of the National Forest System Land Management Planning Rule Committee (Committee) will meet in Washington, DC Attendees may also participate via webinar and conference call. The Committee operates in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). Additional information relating to the Committee, including the meeting summary/minutes, can be found by visiting the Committee's Web site at: https:// www.fs.usda.gov/main/planningrule/committee.
Information Collection Request; Power of Attorney
Document Number: 2017-02128
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-02-01
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency
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 of a currently approved information collection associated with the Power of Attorney form. This information collection is used to support the FSA, Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) and Risk Management Agency (RMA) in conducting business and accepting signatures on certain documents from individuals acting on behalf of other individuals or entities.
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