Department of Agriculture July 2018 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Elimination of the Requirement That Livestock Carcasses Be Marked “U.S. Inspected and Passed” at the Time of Inspection Within a Slaughter Establishment for Carcasses to be Further Processed Within the Same Establishment
Document Number: 2018-16345
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2018-07-31
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service
FSIS is proposing to amend the Federal meat inspection regulations to eliminate the requirement that livestock carcasses be marked with the official inspection legend at the time of inspection in a slaughter establishment, if the carcasses are to be further processed in the same establishment.
Preparation of Uninspected Products Outside of the Hours of Inspectional Supervision
Document Number: 2018-16339
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2018-07-31
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service
FSIS is proposing to amend the Federal meat and poultry products inspection regulations to eliminate prescriptive requirements governing the manufacture of uninspected products, such as pet food, in edible product areas of official establishments and to allow official establishments to manufacture such products outside the hours of inspection.
Notice of Intent To Extend a Currently Approved Information Collection
Document Number: 2018-16326
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-31
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, this notice announces the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) intention to request approval for an extension of the currently approved information collection for the NIFA proposal review process.
Establishment of Divided Mountain Purchase Unit, Grayson County, Virginia
Document Number: 2018-16290
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-31
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
On September 26, 2017 the Under Secretary of Natural Resources and the Environment created the Divided Mountain Unit. This purchase unit comprises 112.3 acres within Grayson County, Virginia. A legal description of lands within the purchase unit appears at the end of this notice.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2018-16261
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-31
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2018-16180
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-31
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Agency Information Collection Activities: Evaluation of Technology Modernization for SNAP Benefit Redemption Through Online Transactions for the USDA Food and Nutrition Service
Document Number: 2018-16220
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-30
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
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 new collection to test the feasibility of online purchasing for SNAP through Evaluation of Technology Modernization for SNAP Benefit Redemption through Online Transactions for the USDA. The final report will synthesize findings across pilots and detailed appendix chapters will integrate implementation and integrity evaluation findings for each pilot. This collection includes in-depth interviews with key informants, including SNAP online retailers and their web service providers, the designated third-party processor for the pilots, EBT processors, and State Agency EBT coordinators; and preparation and transmission of data from retailers and their web service providers, EBT processors, the third-party processor, and state SNAP agencies.
Availability of Guideline for Minimizing the Risk of Campylobacter and Salmonella Illnesses Associated With Chicken Liver
Document Number: 2018-16197
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-30
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing the availability of and requesting comments on a guideline to assist FSIS-regulated establishments, retail food outlets, and foodservice entities in minimizing public health risks associated with raw or partially-cooked chicken liver. FSIS developed the guideline because there have been several recent Campylobacter and Salmonella illness outbreaks linked to chicken liver dishes like p[acirc]t[eacute]. The guideline represents FSIS's current thinking on this topic and FSIS encourages all affected operations to use it. This document does not present or describe any new regulatory requirements.
Request for Information: State Administrative Expense Allocation Formula for Child Nutrition Programs
Document Number: 2018-16196
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-30
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
This is a request for information from State agencies administering Child Nutrition programs and State distributing agencies to learn about the successes, challenges, and needs for the State Administrative Expense (hereafter referred to as ``SAE'') allocation formula. It is not a request for proposal and does not commit the Government to issue a solicitation, make an award, or pay any costs associated with responding to this announcement. All submitted information shall remain with the Government and will not be returned. All responses will become part of the public record and will not be held confidential. The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is seeking information on the SAE allocation formula for the Department's oversight and management of Child Nutrition Programs (CNP), specifically the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), Special Milk Program (SMP) and the Food Distribution Program for schools (FDP). To better understand the availability and use of SAE funds, FNS is requesting information from CNP State administering agencies, State distributing agencies, and CNP affiliate associations about SAE allocation, reallocation, fund uses, and fund restrictions at the State level. The objectives of this request for information are to: 1. Identify ways that the formula meets or fails to meet State spending needs. 2. Identify if additional flexibilities in SAE funding levels and rules could improve program administration. FNS will use the comments in response to this Request for Information to inform a larger study on the SAE formula entitled, Assessing the Child Nutrition State Administrative Expense (SAE) Allocation Formula. This study will assess the effectiveness of the current formula used for SAE allocations, identify and examine factors that influence State spending, and develop and test a range of possible alternatives to improve the SAE allocation formula.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2018-16193
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-30
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Onions Grown in South Texas; Proposed Amendments to Marketing Order 959 and Referendum Order
Document Number: 2018-15793
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2018-07-30
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rulemaking proposes amendments to Marketing Order No. 959, which regulates the handling of onions grown in South Texas. The proposed amendments would reduce the size of the South Texas Onion Committee (Committee) and make conforming and clarifying amendments as needed.
Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Emergency Management Response System
Document Number: 2018-16213
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-27
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 a revision to and extension of approval of an information collection associated with the Emergency Management Response System.
Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of Papayas From Peru
Document Number: 2018-16210
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-27
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 a revision to and extension of approval of an information collection associated with the regulations for the importation of papayas from Peru into the continental United States.
Notice of Intent To Grant Exclusive License
Document Number: 2018-16135
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-27
Agency: Agricultural Research Service, Department of Agriculture
Notice is hereby given that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, intends to grant to Domtar Paper Company, LLC of Fort Mill, South Carolina, an exclusive license to U.S. Patent No. 9,540,244, ``METHODS FOR SYNTHESIZING GRAPHENE FROM A LIGNIN SOURCE'', issued on January 10, 2017.
Notice of Intent for Renewal of a Currently Approved Information Collection
Document Number: 2018-16100
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-27
Agency: Department of Agriculture
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, which implemented the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the National Institute of Food and Agriculture's (NIFA's) intention to request an extension for a currently approved information collection (OMB No. 0524-0026) for Form NIFA-666, ``Organizational Information.''
Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of Apples From China
Document Number: 2018-16098
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-27
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 a revision to and extension of approval of an information collection associated with the regulations for the importation of apples from China.
Notice of New Fee Sites
Document Number: 2018-16032
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-27
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The Idaho Panhandle National Forests is proposing to charge new fees at one day-use boat launch for $5 per vehicle; one dump stations for $10 per use; eight campgrounds for $10 or $15 per night, and an additional $5 extra vehicle fee, starting at the third vehicle; nine boat-in campgrounds for $15 per night; one horse camp for $10 per night; one group campsite for $50 per night; and two cabin/lookout rentals at $45 or $55 per night. These new fees would align the sites with the other sites offering similar amenities and services. These fees are only proposed and will be determined upon further analysis and public comment.
Food Distribution Program: Value of Donated Foods From July 1, 2018, Through June 30, 2019
Document Number: 2018-16028
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-27
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
This notice announces the national average value of donated foods or, where applicable, cash in lieu of donated foods, to be provided in school year 2019 (July 1, 2018, through June 30, 2019) for each lunch served by schools participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), and for each lunch and supper served by institutions participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
Broadband e-Connectivity Pilot Program
Document Number: 2018-16014
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-27
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service
The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture, invites comment on the implementation of certain provisions of its pilot broadband program (e-Connectivity Pilot) established on March 23, 2018, in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018. The e-Connectivity Pilot was appropriated $600 million in budget authority to be operated under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 on an expedited basis. Loans and grants are limited to the costs of the construction, improvement, and acquisition of facilities and equipment for broadband service in eligible communities.
Processed Raspberry Promotion, Research and Information Order; Continuance Referendum
Document Number: 2018-15894
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2018-07-25
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This document directs that a referendum be conducted among eligible producers of raspberries for processing and importers of processed raspberries to determine whether they favor continuance of the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) regulations regarding a national processed raspberry research and promotion program.
Referendum Procedures Under the Sorghum Promotion, Research, and Information Order and the Lamb Promotion, Research, and Information Order; Removal of Obsolete References
Document Number: 2018-15893
Type: Rule
Date: 2018-07-25
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This direct final rule will make technical amendments to the Sorghum Promotion, Research, and Information Order (Sorghum Order) and the Lamb Promotion, Research, and Information Order (Lamb Order) to remove obsolete and unnecessary provisions and to make conforming changes affected by the amendatory language revisions.
Irish Potatoes Grown in Southeastern States; Termination of Marketing Order 953
Document Number: 2018-15890
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2018-07-25
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This proposed rule invites comments on the termination of the Federal marketing order regulating the handling of Irish potatoes grown in Southeastern states (Order). The Order has been suspended, at the industry's recommendation, since 2011. Because the industry has not petitioned to have the Order reactivated, in accordance with the terms of the suspension, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is proposing termination of the Order.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2018-15797
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-24
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Sweet Onions Grown in the Walla Walla Valley of Southeast Washington and Northeast Oregon; Proposed Amendments to the Marketing Order (No. 956)
Document Number: 2018-15792
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2018-07-24
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This proposed rule invites comments on proposed amendments to Marketing Order No. 956, which regulates the handling of sweet onions grown in the Walla Walla Valley of Southeast Washington and Northeast Oregon. The proposed amendments would change the Walla Walla Sweet Onion Marketing Committee's (Committee) size, quorum, and voting requirements. It would also change the staggered term limits so that one-half of the producer and handler member terms expire every two fiscal periods instead of one-third every three fiscal periods.
Marketing Order Regulating the Handling of Spearmint Oil Produced in the Far West; Salable Quantities and Allotment Percentages for the 2018-2019 Marketing Year
Document Number: 2018-15788
Type: Rule
Date: 2018-07-24
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule implements a recommendation from the Far West Spearmint Oil Administrative Committee (Committee) to establish salable quantities and allotment percentages of Class 1 (Scotch) and Class 3 (Native) spearmint oil for the 2018-2019 marketing year. This rule also removes references to past volume regulation no longer in effect.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2018-15696
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-23
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Bog Creek Road Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement; Reopening of Comment Period
Document Number: 2018-15684
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-20
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
This document provides additional time for interested parties to submit comments on the Bog Creek Road Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS) concerning the repair and maintenance of Bog Creek Road and closure of certain roads within the Blue-Grass Bear Management Unit in the Selkirk Mountains in Boundary County, Idaho. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service (USDA, Forest Service) Idaho Panhandle National Forests (IPNF) (collectively, the Agencies) published a Notice of Availability of the Draft EIS in the Federal Register on June 1, 2018, with comments due on or before July 16, 2018. In the interest of receiving well thought out and developed comments from stakeholders, the Agencies are reopening the comment period until July 31, 2018.
National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods
Document Number: 2018-15594
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-20
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service
This notice is announcing that the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) will hold public meetings of the full Committee and Subcommittees on August 7-10, 2018. The Committee will discuss and adopt: (1) Effective Salmonella Control Strategies for Poultry and (2) Virulence Factors and Attributes that Define Foodborne Shiga Toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) as Severe Human Pathogens. The Committee will also discuss two new charges; the first charge is The Use of Water in Animal Slaughter and Processing. Regulatory agencies such as FSIS must also be able to provide supportable alternatives to current water consumption practices that allow industry to potentially use less and recycle water through developing criteria on the appropriate uses of varying water sources and treatment technologies in the processing of meat, poultry, and egg products. The second charge is Appropriate Product Testing Procedures and Criteria to Verify Process Control for Microbial Pathogens or appropriate indicator organisms in Ready-to-Eat (RTE) Foods under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) jurisdiction.
Request for Nominations of Members for the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board, Specialty Crop Committee, and National Genetics Advisory Council
Document Number: 2018-15551
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-20
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Office of the Secretary
In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announces the opening of the solicitation for nominations to fill vacancies on the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics (NAREEE) Advisory Board and its subcommittees. There are eight vacancies on the NAREEE Advisory Board; three vacancies on the Specialty Crop Committee; six vacancies on the Citrus Disease Subcommittee; and two vacancies on the National Genetics Advisory Council.
Malheur National Forest, Prairie City Ranger District; Oregon; Cliff Knox Project
Document Number: 2018-15491
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-20
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The Malheur National Forest will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to disclose the environmental effects of proposed vegetation and fuels treatments, wildlife habitat designations, and road activities in the Cliff Knox project area located on the Prairie City and Emigrant Creek Ranger Districts. Proposed actions include timber harvest, small diameter thinning, aspen and mountain mahogany restoration, landscape underburning, road activities to support vegetation and fuels treatments, and road system changes. The intent of the project is to restore forest health, reduce fuels, increase the forest's resilience to wildfires and other disturbance, and enhance fish and wildlife habitats.
National School Lunch, Special Milk, and School Breakfast Programs, National Average Payments/Maximum Reimbursement Rates
Document Number: 2018-15465
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-19
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
This Notice announces the annual adjustments to the national average payments, the amount of money the Federal Government provides States for lunches, afterschool snacks, and breakfasts served to children participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs; to the maximum reimbursement rates, the maximum per lunch rate from Federal funds that a State can provide a school food authority for lunches served to children participating in the National School Lunch Program; and to the rate of reimbursement for a half-pint of milk served to non-needy children in a school or institution that participates in the Special Milk Program for Children. The annual payments and rates adjustments for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs reflect changes in the Food Away From Home series of the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers. The annual rate adjustment for the Special Milk Program reflects changes in the Producer Price Index for Fluid Milk Products. Further adjustments are made to these rates to reflect higher costs of providing meals in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. The payments and rates are prescribed on an annual basis each July.
Child and Adult Care Food Program: National Average Payment Rates, Day Care Home Food Service Payment Rates, and Administrative Reimbursement Rates for Sponsoring Organizations of Day Care Homes for the Period July 1, 2018 Through June 30, 2019
Document Number: 2018-15464
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-19
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
This notice announces the annual adjustments to the national average payment rates for meals and snacks served in child care centers, outside-school-hours care centers, at-risk afterschool care centers, and adult day care centers; the food service payment rates for meals and snacks served in day care homes; and the administrative reimbursement rates for sponsoring organizations of day care homes, to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index. Further adjustments are made to these rates to reflect the higher costs of providing meals in Alaska and Hawaii. The adjustments contained in this notice are made on an annual basis each July, as required by the laws and regulations governing the Child and Adult Care Food Program.
Notice of Request for a New Information Collection: (Consumer Research on the Safe Handling Instructions Label for Raw and Partially Cooked Meat and Poultry Products and Labeling Statements for Ready-to-Eat and Not-Ready-to-Eat Products)
Document Number: 2018-15462
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-19
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service
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 collect information in the form of consumer research that will include a web- based experimental study and a behavior change study to help inform potential revisions to the current Safe Handling Instructions (SHI) label and assess whether a label revision would improve consumer food safety behaviors. FSIS also will collect information on consumer use and understanding of the labeling on ready-to-eat (RTE) and not-ready- to-eat (NRTE) meat and poultry products, in particular consumers' ability to discern between the two types of products and to ensure that NRTE products that may appear to be ready to eat are thoroughly cooked.
Notice of Request for a New Information Collection: Food Defense Vulnerability Questionnaire
Document Number: 2018-15461
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-19
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service
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 collect information from food industry and academic experts on vulnerabilities and research activities related to food defense for FSIS-regulated food products. The purpose of this information collection is to inform FSIS food defense efforts to help protect against an intentional attack on the food supply.
Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Forest Inventory Analysis Pilot
Document Number: 2018-15349
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-19
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Commodity Credit Corporation
The Farm Service Agency (FSA), on behalf of Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), is announcing the availability of competitive grants to conduct a forest inventory analysis, forest management, and economic outcomes modelling, for certain currently enrolled Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land. The analysis is focused on lands enrolled in CRP for at least 8 years and located in areas with a substantial concentration of acres enrolled under the following conservation practices devoted to multiple bottomland hardwood tree species: General tree planting, hardwood tree planting, vegetative cover on previously established tree stands, riparian buffers, bottomland timber establishments, and farmable and aquaculture wetlands. Qualified applicants must be non-profit organizations dedicated to conservation, forestry, and wildlife habitats that have experience in conducting accurate forest inventory analysis through the use of advanced, cost- effective technology, as determined by FSA.
2017 Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program
Document Number: 2018-15346
Type: Rule
Date: 2018-07-18
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency
The 2017 Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program (2017 WHIP) will provide payments to eligible producers who suffered eligible crop, tree, bush, and vine losses resulting from hurricanes and wildfires that occurred in the 2017 calendar year, as authorized by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (BBA). This rule specifies the administrative provisions, eligibility requirements, application procedures, and payment calculations for 2017 WHIP.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2018-15315
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-18
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of Fruits and Vegetables
Document Number: 2018-15230
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-17
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 a revision to and extension of approval of an information collection associated with the regulations for the importation of fruits and vegetables into the United States.
Information Collection: Forest Industries and Logging Operations Data Collection Systems
Document Number: 2018-15228
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-17
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the USDA Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the renewal of a currently approved information collection, Forest Industries and Logging Operations Data Collection Systems (0596-0010), with a revision for a new sampling approach.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2018-15184
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-17
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2018-15162
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-17
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection (Petitions for Rulemaking)
Document Number: 2018-15015
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-13
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service
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 petitions for rulemaking. The approval for this information collection will expire on November 30, 2018. FSIS is making no changes to the approved collection.
Notice of Intent To Extend and Revise a Currently Approved Information Collection
Document Number: 2018-14997
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-13
Agency: Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the National Institute of Food and Agriculture's (NIFA) intention to extend and revise a currently approved information collection entitled, ``Reporting Requirements for State Plans of Work for Agricultural Research and Extension Formula Funds.''
Announcement of Requirements and Registration for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Innovations in Food and Agricultural Science and Technology (I-FAST) Prize Competition
Document Number: 2018-14996
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-13
Agency: Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), USDA, is announcing the I-FAST prize competition (the ``I-FAST Competition'' or the ``Competition'') to develop and implement the Innovations in Food and Agricultural Science and Technology (I-FAST) Program. NIFA will partner with the National Science Foundation (NSF) Innovation Corps (I-Corps) to provide entrepreneurship training to NIFA grantees under this I-FAST pilot program. The goals are to identify valuable product opportunities that can emerge from NIFA supported academic research. Selected NIFA I-FAST project teams will participate in the educational programs with NSF I-Corps Program. Over a period of six months the NIFA supported teams in the I-FAST program will learn what it will take to achieve an economic impact with their particular innovation. The final goal of the I-FAST Competition is to facilitate technology transfer of innovations that can make an impact in the marketplace and the global economy.
Notice To Implement a Guarantee Systems User Fee for Lender Use of the Single Family Housing Section 502 Guaranteed Loan Program Automated Systems
Document Number: 2018-14995
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-13
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Rural Housing Service
The Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 was signed into law on July 29, 2016. It created Section 502(i) in the Housing Act of 1949, later amended by Section 758 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018, which permits the Secretary to assess and collect a guarantee underwriting user fee (also known as a technology fee) from lenders for their use of the Rural Housing Service's (Agency's) automated guaranteed loan systems. The collection of the fee will enable the Agency to fund future information technology enhancements needed to improve program delivery and reduce burden to the public. The fee amount will be published in the Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program (SFHGLP) Handbook HB-1-3555, available at https://www.rd.usda.gov/publications/regulations-guidelines/ handbooks. The fee will not exceed $50 per loan, and constitutes a reasonable and customary cost that is an authorized loan purpose in accordance with the Guaranteed Rural Housing Program. The primary method of collecting the fee will be through the Agency's Lender Loan Closing (LLC) system when a loan goes to closing.
Mango Promotion, Research, and Information Order; Reopening and Extension of Comment Period on Amendment To Include Frozen Mangos
Document Number: 2018-14940
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2018-07-12
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
Notice is hereby given that the comment period on the proposed rule to amend the Mango Promotion, Research, and Information Order to include frozen mangos is reopened and extended. Also, the comment period is extended for the frozen mangos information and collection requirements by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) which is necessary to include frozen mangos under the current program.
Cranberries Grown in States of Massachusetts, et al.; Establishment of Handler Diversion and Reporting Requirements and New Information Collection
Document Number: 2018-14939
Type: Rule
Date: 2018-07-12
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule implements a recommendation to establish handler diversion and reporting requirements under the marketing order for cranberries grown in the production area (Order). This action establishes the procedures handlers use to divert fruit through disposal or into noncompetitive outlets. The reporting requirements support the diversion procedures by providing the necessary documentation to help ensure compliance when a volume regulation is established.
Designation of Product Categories for Federal Procurement
Document Number: 2018-14594
Type: Rule
Date: 2018-07-10
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Office of Procurement and Property Management
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is amending the Guidelines for Designating Biobased Products for Federal Procurement to add 12 sections that designate product categories within which biobased products will be afforded Federal procurement preference by Federal agencies and their contractors.
Lacey Act Implementation Plan: De Minimis Exception
Document Number: 2018-14630
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2018-07-09
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 amended the Lacey Act to provide, among other things, that importers submit a declaration at the time of importation for certain plants and plant products. The declaration requirement of the Lacey Act became effective on December 15, 2008, and enforcement of that requirement is being phased in. We are proposing to establish an exception to the declaration requirement for products containing a minimal amount of plant materials. This action would relieve the burden on importers while continuing to ensure that the declaration requirement fulfills the purposes of the Lacey Act. We are also proposing that all Lacey Act declarations be submitted within 3 business days of importation.
Lacey Act Implementation Plan: Composite Plant Materials
Document Number: 2018-14625
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2018-07-09
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
The Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 amended the Lacey Act to provide, among other things, that importers submit a declaration at the time of importation for certain plants and plant products. The declaration requirements of the Lacey Act became effective on December 15, 2008, and enforcement of those requirements is being phased in. We are soliciting public comment on regulatory options that could address certain issues that have arisen with the implementation of the declaration requirement for composite plant materials.
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