Department of Agriculture March 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this document announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention to request an extension to currently approved forms used by importers of commodities that are exempt from section 8e import regulations.

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 and a revision of a currently approved information collection associated with the form of the Power of Attorney. 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.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and the 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 observational studies to inform the development of food safety communication products and an evaluation of public health education and communication activities. The approval for this information collection will expire on June 30, 2020. FSIS has reduced the total burden estimate for the renewal collection by 833 hours because FSIS plans to conclude its research in two years, after the renewal. The original burden estimate was for three years.

We are advising the public of our decision to authorize the importation of fresh jujube fruit from China into the continental United States. Based on the findings of the pest risk analysis, which we made available to the public to review and comment through a previous notice, we have concluded that the application of one or more designated phytosanitary measures will be sufficient to mitigate the risks of introducing or disseminating plant pests or noxious weeds via the importation of fresh jujube fruit from China.

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture, hereinafter referred to as the Agency, is amending its regulation for the Rural Broadband Program, previously referred to as the Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program, to implement the Agricultural Act of 2018 (the 2018 Farm Bill). The Agency is publishing this regulation as an interim final rule, which will take effect upon publication in the Federal Register. In addition, the Agency is seeking comments regarding this interim final rule to guide its efforts in drafting the final rule for the Rural Broadband Program and Community Connect Grant Program.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominations for the Pacific Northwest Region Recreation Advisory Committee (Recreation RAC) pursuant to the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). Additional information on the Recreation RAC can be found by visiting the Recreation RAC's website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r6/ passes-permits/recreation/?cid=fsbdev2_026879.

The U.S Codex Office is sponsoring a public meeting on April 30, 2020. 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 25th Session of the Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods (CCRVDF) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), in San Diego, California, May 25- 29, 2020. The U.S. Manager for Codex Alimentarius and the Under Secretary, Office of Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the 25th Session of the CCRVDF and to address items on the agenda.

This final rule changes the reporting requirements for certain Irish potatoes, tomatoes, and onions regulated under section 608e of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended (section 8e). With this change, importers of those regulated commodities that have been certified by a designated governmental inspection service other than the Federal or Federal-State Inspection Service as meeting section 8e requirements will be required to provide the inspection certificate number and a copy of the certificate to the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) (currently, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is the only entity so designated). In addition, this rule changes the pistachio import regulations to provide for the electronic filing of aflatoxin test results and to eliminate a requirement to report the disposition of reworked or failed lots of pistachios. This rule also changes several of the section 8e regulations by removing or replacing outdated information.

This document directs that a referendum be conducted among eligible California kiwifruit growers to determine whether they favor continuance of the marketing order regulating the handling of kiwifruit grown in California.

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) 2020 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.

Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) and rules and regulations of the USDA, the Office of Partnership and Public Engagement (OPPE) announces a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers (ACBFR). The purpose of the ACBFR meeting is to deliberate upon matters concerning beginning farmers and ranchers that provide advice and recommendations through OPPE for the Secretary. During this public meeting, the ACBFR will deliberate upon matters focused on, including but not limited to, the following: (A) The development of the program of coordinated assistance to qualified beginning farmers and ranchers under section 309(i) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act; (B) methods of maximizing the number of new farming and ranching opportunities created through the program; (C) methods of encouraging States to participate in the program; (D) the administration of the program; and E) other methods of creating new farming or ranching opportunities. The most up-to-date agenda details and documents will be made available to the public before and after the meeting at: https:// www.outreach.usda.gov/committees/ACBFR.htm.

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 swine health protection program.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this document 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 of the National Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Programs.

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 amending the regulations 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.

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is requesting written stakeholder input on agency services. The purpose of this Notice is to assist NIFA in optimizing delivery of services and better serve stakeholders' and partners' research, extension, and education needs. NIFA plans to consider all stakeholder input received in response to this Notice.

This rule implements changes to the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) as required by the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (the 2018 Farm Bill). The rule makes buy-up coverage levels available for 2019 and future years, increases service fees, and extends the service fee waiver and premium reduction to eligible veterans. The rule includes the changes to the payment limitation and native sod provisions and clarifies when NAP coverage is available for crops when certain crop insurance is available under the Federal Crop Insurance Act. This rule is adding provisions for eligibility and program requirements for new producers or producers with less than 1- year growing experience with a new crop (for example, most hemp producers). This rule also makes some additional minor changes to clarify existing NAP requirements and improve program integrity.