Department of Agriculture March 2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2019-06102
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-03-29
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Grain Fees for Official Inspection and Weighing Services Under the United States Grain Standards Act (USGSA)
Document Number: 2019-06079
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-03-29
Agency: Department of Agriculture
The United States Grain Standards Act (USGSA) provides the Secretary of Agriculture with the authority to charge and collect reasonable fees to cover the costs of performing official services and the costs associated with managing the program. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is announcing the 2019 fee schedule for official inspection and weighing services performed under the USGSA, as amended, and the Agriculture Reauthorizations Act of 2015. This notice publishes the annual review of Schedule A fees calculation and the resulting fees that went into effect on January 1, 2019.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Requirement for National Directory of New Hires Employment Verification
Document Number: 2019-06021
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-03-29
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 revision of a currently approved collection. In 2016, an Interim Final Rule titled ``Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Requirement for National Directory of New Hires Employment Verification and Annual Program Activity Reporting,'' was published in the Federal Register. This rule codified section 4013 of the Agricultural Act of 2014, requiring State agencies to access employment data through the National Directory of New Hires (NDNH) at the time of certification, including recertification, to determine eligibility status and correct benefit amount for SNAP applicants. The rule also amended regulations to increase the frequency of the requirement for State agency submission of the Program Activity Statement from an annual requirement based on the State fiscal year to a quarterly requirement. The burden hours for the increase in submission frequency for the Program Activity Statement, form FNS-366B, have been merged into the Food Programs Reporting System (FPRS) information collection, OMB# 0584-0594 (expiration 9/30/2019). Therefore, this notice seeks to renew the burden hours associated with the National Directory of New Hires portion of this information collection only and removes burden hours and references for the Program Activity Statement, form FNS-366B.
Request for Nominations of Members for the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board, Specialty Crop Committee, Citrus Disease Subcommittee, and National Genetic Resources Advisory Council
Document Number: 2019-05938
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-03-28
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 is one vacancy on the NAREEE Advisory Board; nine vacancies on the National Genetic Resources Advisory Council; three vacancies on the Specialty Crop Committee; and eight vacancies on the Citrus Disease Subcommittee.
Brucellosis and Bovine Tuberculosis; Update of General Provisions
Document Number: 2019-05851
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2019-03-27
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
We are announcing a partial withdrawal of a proposed rule published in the Federal Register on December 16, 2015, that, if finalized, would have consolidated the regulations governing bovine tuberculosis and those governing brucellosis. Specifically, we are withdrawing those portions of the proposed rule that would have affected the provisions governing our domestic brucellosis and tuberculosis programs. We are taking this action after considering the comments we received following the publication of the proposed rule.
Request for Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection
Document Number: 2019-05847
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-03-27
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget, for revision of a currently approved collection titled ``Local Food Directories and Survey''. Under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as amended, AMS is responsible for conducting research to enhance market access for small and medium sized farmers. The role of the Marketing Services Division (MSD) of AMS is to facilitate distribution of U.S. agricultural products. This information is used to populate USDA's National Farmers Market Directory and periodically market managers are invited to participate in a comprehensive survey assessing the farmers market sector. Beginning in 2020, the survey of the farmers market sector will be administered by the National Agricultural Statistical Service. Information will also be collected by AMS to populate the National Farmers Market Directory, as well as three additional local food directories: Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Directory, Food Hub Directory, and On-Farm Market Directory. All four directories are national in scope and provide free advertising for producers of local agricultural products. The directories also assist customers to locate local food enterprises.
Notice of Request for Extension Without Change of a Currently Approved Information Collection for the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center
Document Number: 2019-05846
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-03-27
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 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, ``National Sheep Industry Improvement Center'' (OMB 0581-0263).
Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection
Document Number: 2019-05843
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-03-27
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Rural Business-Cooperative Service
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Rural Business-Cooperative Service's intention to request an extension for a currently approved information collection in support of the program for Socially-Disadvantaged Groups Grant Program.
Notice of Solicitation of Applications for Inviting Applications for the Rural Business Development Grant Program To Provide Technical Assistance for Rural Transportation Systems
Document Number: 2019-05842
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-03-27
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Rural Business-Cooperative Service
This notice is to invite applications for grants to provide Technical Assistance for Rural Transportation (RT) systems under the Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) to provide Technical Assistance for RT systems and for RT systems to Federally Recognized Native American Tribes' (FRNAT) (collectively ``Programs'') and the terms provided in such funding. Successful applications will be selected by the Agency for funding and subsequently awarded from funds appropriated for the RBDG program. The Agency will publish the amount of funding on its website at https://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/notices-solicitation-applica tions- nosas. Expenses incurred in developing applications will be at the applicant's risk.
Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) for Fiscal Year 2019
Document Number: 2019-05836
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-03-27
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Rural Housing Service
The Rural Housing Service (Agency), an Agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), announces the acceptance of applications under the Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) program. Applicants must provide matching funds in an amount at least equal to the Federal grant. These grants will be made to qualified intermediary organizations that will provide financial and technical assistance to recipients to develop their capacity and ability to undertake projects related to housing, community facilities, or community and economic development that will support the community. This Notice announces that the Agency is accepting fiscal year (FY) 2019 applications for the RCDI program. Successful applications will be selected by the Agency for funding and subsequently awarded from funds appropriated for the RCDI program. The Agency will publish the amount of funding on its website at https://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/notices- solicitation-applications-nosas.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2019-05796
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-03-27
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Plant Variety Protection Board; Open Meeting
Document Number: 2019-05782
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-03-27
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is announcing a meeting of the Plant Variety Protection Board (Board). The meeting is being held to discuss a variety of topics including, but not limited to, work and outreach plans, subcommittee activities, and program activities. The meeting is open to the public. This notice sets forth the schedule and location for the meeting.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Food Labelling
Document Number: 2019-05768
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-03-27
Agency: Department of Agriculture
The U.S. Codex Office is sponsoring a public meeting on April 9, 2019. The objective of the public meeting is to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft United States (U.S.) positions to be discussed at the 45th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Labelling (CCFL) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, in Ottawa, Canada, May 13-17, 2019. The U.S. Manager for Codex Alimentarius and the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the 45th Session of the CCFL and to address items on the agenda.
Eligibility Criteria for Tribal and Alaska Native Biomass Demonstration Projects Under the Indian Tribal Energy Development and Self-Determination Act
Document Number: 2019-05502
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-03-27
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The Indian Tribal Energy Development and Self-Determination Act Amendments of 2017 amends the Tribal Forest Protection Act of 2004 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA), to enter into contracts or agreements with Indian tribes, and, in Alaska, tribal organizations to carry out demonstration projects to promote biomass energy production on Indian forest land and in nearby communities by providing reliable supplies of woody biomass from federal lands. The Act contains Eligibility Criteria required to be addressed by an Indian tribe or tribal organization in their application to the Secretary, in order to enter into Biomass Demonstration Projects. The Eligibility Criteria are required to be made publically available not later than 120 days after the date of the Act's enactment. The Act also contains Selection Criteria, which will be used, without modification, by the Secretary to evaluate applications submitted. The Act's Eligibility and Selection Criteria will be used, without modification, to select biomass demonstration projects on lands under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Agriculture.
Common Crop Insurance Regulations; Forage Seeding Crop Insurance Provisions; Withdrawal
Document Number: 2019-05718
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-03-26
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation
This action informs the public that the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) is withdrawing a final rule with request for comments published in the Federal Register on December 10, 2018, titled Common Crop Insurance Regulations; Forage Seeding Crop Insurance Provisions. FCIC updated the Forage Seeding Crop Provisions (CP) to better reflect current agricultural practices and allow for variations in insurance provisions based on regionally-specific agronomic conditions and potential future expansions. The Forage Seeding CP cover losses from insured perils during the year of planting forage and would provide continuous coverage throughout the year of planting effective for the 2020 crop year. FCIC withdraws the Forage Seeding final rule due to the need to address outstanding issues, conduct additional research, and obtain data for program expansion to ensure continuous coverage between the year of planting and after the crop has been established.
Virginia Resource Advisory Committee
Document Number: 2019-05717
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-03-26
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The Virginia Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Roanoke, Virginia. 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, including the meeting agenda and the meeting summary/minutes can be found at the following website: www.fs.fed.us/r8/gwj.
Addition of China to the List of Regions Affected by African Swine Fever
Document Number: 2019-05680
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-03-26
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
We are advising the public that we have added China to the list of regions that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service considers to be affected with African swine fever (ASF). We are taking this action because of the confirmation of ASF in China.
Supplemental Requirements for Importation of Fresh Citrus From Colombia Into the United States
Document Number: 2019-05679
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-03-26
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
We are affirming the supplemental requirements we added for the importation of fresh sweet orange, grapefruit, mandarin, clementine, and tangerine fruit from Colombia into the United States. In a previous notice, we made available to the public for review and comment supplemental requirements for mitigating pest risks posed by the importation of those commodities from Colombia into the United States. We also made available a pest risk assessment and commodity import evaluation document. After reviewing the comments we received on those documents, we are affirming the supplemental requirements we added to the Fruits and Vegetables Import Requirements database.
Information Collection Activity; Comment Request
Document Number: 2019-05635
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-03-25
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended), the Rural Utilities Service, an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA), invites comments on this information collection for which the Agency intends to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2019-05597
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-03-25
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2019-05585
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-03-25
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Importation of Fresh Jujube Fruit From China Into the Continental United States
Document Number: 2019-05566
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-03-25
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
We are advising the public that we have prepared a pest risk analysis that evaluates the risks associated with the importation of fresh jujube fruit from China into the continental United States. Based on the analysis, we have determined that the application of one or more phytosanitary measures will be sufficient to mitigate the risks of introducing or disseminating plant pests or noxious weeds via the importation of fresh jujube fruit from China. We are making the pest risk analysis available to the public for review and comment.
Scrapie in Sheep and Goats
Document Number: 2019-05430
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-03-25
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
We are amending the scrapie regulations by changing the risk groups and categories established for individual animals and for flocks, increasing the use of genetic testing as a means of assigning risk levels to animals, reducing movement restrictions for animals found to be genetically less susceptible or resistant to scrapie, and simplifying, reducing, or removing certain recordkeeping requirements. We are also providing designated scrapie epidemiologists with more alternatives and flexibility when testing animals in order to determine flock designations under the regulations. We are changing the definition of high-risk animal, which will change the types of animals eligible for indemnity, and to pay higher indemnity for certain pregnant ewes and does and early maturing ewes and does. The changes will also make the identification and recordkeeping requirements for goat owners consistent with those for sheep owners. These changes affect sheep and goat producers, persons who handle sheep and goats in interstate commerce, and State governments.
Proposed Amendments to Regulations Governing Voluntary Grading of Meats, Prepared Meats, Meat Products, Shell Eggs, Poultry Products, and Rabbit Products
Document Number: 2019-04600
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2019-03-25
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) proposes to amend its regulations governing the voluntary grading and certification relating to meats, prepared meats, meat products, shell eggs, poultry products, and rabbit products. Proposed amendments include: Changing terminology to scheduled and non- scheduled, billing of holidays, billing excessive hours over and above agreement hours, and removing the administrative volume charge. The proposed amendments would standardize and align billing practices for services provided by the Livestock and Poultry Program.
Notice of Intent To Extend a Currently Approved Information Collection
Document Number: 2019-05533
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-03-22
Agency: Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations which implement the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the National Institute of Food and Agriculture's (NIFA) intention to request approval to extend the currently approved information collection in support of authorizations to use the 4-H Club Name and/or Emblem.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request-WIC Participant and Program Characteristics Study 2020 and 2022
Document Number: 2019-05525
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-03-22
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on this proposed information collection for the WIC Participant and Program Characteristics study. This collection is an extension, without change, of a currently approved collection and the data collected from this study will be used to produce biennial reports on participant and program characteristics in WIC for 2020 and 2022.
Newspaper Used for Publication of Legal Notices in the Southwestern Region, Gila National Forest, Black Range Ranger District, New Mexico
Document Number: 2019-05503
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-03-22
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
This notice updates the newspaper that will be used by the Black Range Ranger District, Gila National Forest, of the Southwestern Region to publish legal notices. The intended effect of this action is to inform interested members of the public the newspaper the Forest Service will use to publish notices of proposed actions, notices of decision, and notices of opportunity to file an objection or appeal. This will provide the public with constructive notice of Forest Service proposals and decisions, provide information on the procedures to comment, appeal, or object, and establish the date that the Forest Service will use to determine if comments, appeals, or objections were timely.
Office of The Secretary; Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records
Document Number: 2019-05466
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-03-22
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Commodity Credit Corporation, Farm Service Agency
This notice proposes to revise to the Privacy Act System of Records titled Farm Records File (Automated) USDA, which includes information for certain Farm Service Agency under (FSA) Farm Programs and certain Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) programs that are administered by FSA on behalf of CCC. The records include information about the majority of agricultural producers in the United States. In general, USDA is modifying the system of records to add three new routine uses and make updates to one routine use to comply with recent requirements.
Office of the Secretary; Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records
Document Number: 2019-05464
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-03-22
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Commodity Credit Corporation, Farm Service Agency
As required by the Privacy Act of 1974, and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular No. A-108, this notice proposes that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA or Department) revisions to the Privacy Act System of Records titled Applicant/ Borrower USDA/FSA-14, which include information on current, former, and prospective applicants and borrowers including members of entities. The system contains information on agricultural producers in the United States requesting or obtaining the Farm Service Agency (FSA) Farm Loan Programs benefits. In general, USDA proposes to revise the system of records to make minor corrections and updates to meet additional requirements. USDA is also revising the system of records to add 10 new routine uses.
Onions Grown in South Texas; Order Amending Marketing Order 959
Document Number: 2019-05435
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-03-22
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This final rule amends Marketing Order No. 959, which regulates the handling of onions grown in South Texas. The amendments will reduce the size of the South Texas Onion Committee (Committee) and make necessary conforming changes.
Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection
Document Number: 2019-05433
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-03-22
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Rural Housing Service
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.
Meeting of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee
Document Number: 2019-05431
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-03-22
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is announcing a meeting of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (Committee). The meeting is being convened to examine the full spectrum of fruit and vegetable industry issues and provide recommendations and ideas to the Secretary of Agriculture on how the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) can tailor programs and services to better meet the needs of the U.S. produce industry.
Animal Welfare; Amendments to Licensing Provisions and to Requirements for Dogs
Document Number: 2019-05422
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2019-03-22
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
We are proposing to amend the licensing requirements under the Animal Welfare Act regulations to promote compliance, reduce licensing fees, and strengthen existing safeguards that prevent individuals and businesses who have a history of noncompliance from obtaining a license or working with regulated animals. This action will reduce regulatory burden with respect to licensing and will more efficiently ensure licensees' sustained compliance with the Act. We are further proposing to strengthen the veterinary care and watering standards for regulated dogs to better align the regulations with the humane care and treatment standards set by the Animal Welfare Act. Additionally, we are proposing to make several miscellaneous changes for clarity and to correct typographical errors.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2019-05410
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-03-21
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Willow Creek Watershed, Glacier County, Montana, on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation
Document Number: 2019-05322
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-03-21
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service
The NRCS Montana State Office gives notice that an EIS is being prepared for the Willow Creek Watershed Project in the proximity of Browning, Montana on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. This notice announces our intent to prepare an EIS, provide information on the nature of the proposed action and possible alternatives, invite public participation in the EIS process, and identify cooperating agency contacts. The EIS process will evaluate alternatives recommended for detailed study because of previous planning-level studies completed by NRCS and additional (new) alternatives identified during scoping.
Watkins Branch Watershed, Buchanan County, Virginia
Document Number: 2019-05309
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-03-21
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service
NRCS gives notice of the intent to deauthorize Federal funding for the Watkins Branch Watershed project, Buchanan County, Virginia.
Emergency Food Assistance Program; Availability of Foods for Fiscal Year 2019
Document Number: 2019-05198
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-03-20
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
This notice announces the surplus and purchased foods that the Department expects to make available for donation to States for use in providing nutrition assistance to the needy under The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) in Fiscal Year (FY) 2019. The foods made available under this notice must, at the discretion of the State, be distributed to eligible recipient agencies (ERAs) for use in preparing meals and/or for distribution to households for home consumption.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2019-05189
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-03-20
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Summer Food Service Program: 2019 Reimbursement Rates
Document Number: 2019-05184
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-03-20
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
This notice informs the public of the annual adjustments to the reimbursement rates for meals served in the Summer Food Service Program for Children. These adjustments address changes in the Consumer Price Index, as required under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. The 2019 reimbursement rates are presented as a combined set of rates to highlight simplified cost accounting procedures. The 2019 rates are also presented individually, as separate operating and administrative rates of reimbursement, to show the effect of the Consumer Price Index adjustment on each rate.
Child Nutrition Programs: Income Eligibility Guidelines
Document Number: 2019-05183
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-03-20
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
This notice announces the Department's annual adjustments to the Income Eligibility Guidelines to be used in determining eligibility for free and reduced price meals and free milk for the period from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020. These guidelines are used by schools, institutions, and facilities participating in the National School Lunch Program (and Commodity School Program), School Breakfast Program, Special Milk Program for Children, Child and Adult Care Food Program and Summer Food Service Program. The annual adjustments are required by section 9 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. The guidelines are intended to direct benefits to those children most in need and are revised annually to account for changes in the Consumer Price Index.
Kiwifruit Grown California; Decreased Assessment Rate
Document Number: 2019-04908
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-03-20
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
U.S. Department of Agriculture published a final rule on December 26, 2018, to implement a recommendation from the Kiwifruit Administrative Committee (Committee) to decrease the assessment rate established for the 2018-2019 and subsequent fiscal periods. This correction addresses a typographical error in that final rule.
2018 Research, Education, and Economics Farm Bill Implementation Listening Session
Document Number: 2019-05132
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-03-19
Agency: Agricultural Research Service, Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, National Agricultural Statistics Service, National Institute of Food and Agriculture
In preparing to implement the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (commonly referred to as the 2018 Farm Bill), USDA's Research, Education, and Economics (REE) mission area will host a listening session for public input regarding new programs and changes to existing programs implemented by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Economic Research Service (ERS), National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), and the Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS).
Agency Information Collection Activities: How States Safeguard SNAP Participant Personally Identifiable Information
Document Number: 2019-05080
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-03-19
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 is a new information collection. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the largest domestic nutrition assistance program in the United States, having served approximately 20.1 million low-income households in 2018, with $60.1 billion in benefits provided during that time. Section 11(e)(8) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 requires that these millions of households must submit personally identifiable information (PII) in order to receive SNAP benefits. PII includes information that directly identifies individuals, such as individuals' names and Social Security numbers, as well as information like home addresses, which can be used to deduce the identity of an individual. While State agencies (SAs) implement policies to safeguard SNAP PII, little is systematically known about the policies and practices that SAs have in place. Accordingly, FNS wants to assess the ways that States safeguard SNAP PII and identify best practices to protect such information.
Cranberries Grown in the States of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and Long Island in the State of New York; Amendment to Marketing Order 929 and Referendum Order
Document Number: 2019-05079
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-03-19
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This final rule amends Marketing Order No. 929, which regulates the handling of cranberries grown in the states of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and Long Island in the State of New York. The amendment, which was proposed by the Cranberry Marketing Committee (Committee), was approved by growers and processors in the referendum. This action authorizes the Committee to accept contributions from domestic sources for research and development activities authorized under the marketing order that would be free from any encumbrances as to their use by the donor.
National Organic Standards Board (NOSB): Call for Nominations
Document Number: 2019-05075
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-03-19
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) was established to assist in the development of standards for substances to be used in organic production and to advise the Secretary on the implementation of the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (OFPA). Through this Notice, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing its call for nominations to fill five vacancies. Descriptions of the five positions are listed below under supplementary information. Appointees will serve a five-year term beginning January 24, 2020 and ending January 23, 2025. Additionally, the USDA seeks nominations for a pool of candidates that the Secretary of Agriculture can draw upon as replacement appointees if unexpected vacancies occur.
Peanut Standards Board; Request for Nominations
Document Number: 2019-05074
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-03-19
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (2002 Farm Bill) requires the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) to establish a Peanut Standards Board (Board) for the purpose of advising the Secretary on quality and handling standards for domestically produced and imported peanuts. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominations for individuals to be considered for selection as Board members for a term of office ending June 30, 2022.
Notice of Availability of an Evaluation of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Status of Singapore
Document Number: 2019-05073
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-03-19
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
We are advising the public that we are proposing to recognize Singapore as being free of foot-and-mouth disease. This proposed recognition is based on an evaluation we have prepared in connection with this action, which we are making available for review and comment.
Notice of Availability of an Evaluation of the Fever Tick Status of the State of Baja California, Mexico
Document Number: 2019-05072
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-03-19
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
We are notifying the public that we have prepared an evaluation of the State of Baja California, Mexico 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.
Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Importation and Transportation of Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products
Document Number: 2019-04996
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-03-18
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 the importation and transportation of meat, poultry, and egg products. The approval for this information collection will expire on June 30, 2019. FSIS is making no changes to the approved collection.
Notice of Request for a New Information Collection: In-Home Food Safety Behaviors and Consumer Education: Web-Based Survey
Document Number: 2019-04994
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-03-18
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 an exploratory Web-based survey of consumers to evaluate food safety education and communication activities and to inform the development of food safety communication products.
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