Department of Agriculture 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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 for the Food Security Status and Well-Being of Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP) Participants in Puerto Rico study. This is a new information collection request. This study informs the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) about household food security, health, and well-being among Puerto Rico's population.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is proposing to end the program under which FSIS inspectors provide fee-for-service certification that certain foods for dogs, cats and other carnivora (pet food) are produced under sanitary conditions and meet compositional and labeling requirements. The certified pet food regulations are outdated, and no firms are currently paying for FSIS certification services for pet food. Further, the fact that both USDA and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspect pet food has led to industry and consumer confusion, and both agencies agree that stakeholders will benefit from the simplification of Federal jurisdiction over pet food.

This final rule removes the regulations pertaining to the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). The regulations, which were established in 2006 as a matter of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy, are duplicative of and in conflict with the recent revisions to the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Office of Federal Financial Management's Guidance for Grants and Agreements. Consequently, the SCBGP-specific regulations are no longer needed. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is removing the obsolete regulations in order to align its grant programs with OMB requirements and implement the programs efficiently. AMS will continue to administer SCBGP according to the OMB regulations.

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is announcing the availability of assistance for timber harvesting and timber hauling businesses impacted by the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak through PATHH. Timber harvesting and hauling businesses are also commonly referred to as loggers and truckers. This NOFA establishes provisions for FSA to provide direct payments to eligible applicants who have suffered a gross revenue loss of at least 10 percent for the period of January 1, 2020, through December 1, 2020, compared to the period of January 1, 2019, through December 1, 2019. The eligibility requirements, payment calculation, and application procedure for PATHH are included in this NOFA.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Agricultural Research Service's (ARS) intention to request an extension of a currently approved information collection, Form AD-761, USDA Patent License Application for Government Invention that expires October 31, 2022.

This proposal invites comments on changes in membership of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (Council) under the Blueberry Promotion, Research and Information Order (Order), by removing the first-handler member and alternate position and adding two exporter member and alternate positions. Conforming changes would be made to the nomination procedures. In addition, the proposal would allow members and alternates to remain in office until a successor is appointed. The Council administers the Order with oversight by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the extension with revisions of a currently approved information collection, Timber Sale Contract Operations and Administration.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to request revision and extension of a currently approved information collection, the Egg, Chicken, and Turkey Surveys. A revision to burden hours will be needed due to changes in the size of the target population, sampling design, and/or questionnaire length.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is responding to two recommendations from the USDA Office of Inspector General (OIG) regarding the Agency's rulemaking process for the proposed rule entitled Modernization of Swine Slaughter Inspection, that included the proposal to establish the New Swine Slaughter Inspection System (NSIS).

We are extending the comment period for our notice seeking input from the public on how the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) can advance racial justice and equity for underserved communities as part of its implementation of Executive Order 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government. This action will allow interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the above-named agency to request Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval for a revision of a currently approved information collection in support of the Rural Rental Housing Program.

The Fishlake Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will hold two virtual meetings by phone and/or video conference. 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 as well as make recommendations on recreation fee proposals for sites on the Fishlake National Forest within Sevier County, Utah, consistent with the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. RAC information and virtual meeting information can be found at the following website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/fishlake/ workingtogether/advisorycommittees.

The Shasta County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet virtually via Microsoft Teams. 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 website: https:// www.fs.usda.gov/main/stnf/workingtogether/advisorycommittees.

The Siskiyou County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet virtually via Microsoft Teams. 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 website: https:// www.fs.usda.gov/main/klamath/workingtogether/advisorycommitte es.

We are advising the public that we have prepared a final environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact relative to permitting the release of Ramularia crupinae for the biological control of common crupina (Crupina vulgaris) in the contiguous United States. Based on our finding of no significant impact, we have determined that an environmental impact statement need not be prepared.

This document directs that a referendum be conducted among eligible producers and importers of highbush blueberries to determine whether they favor continuance of the Agricultural Marketing Service's regulations regarding a national highbush blueberry research and promotion program.

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, Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The payments and rates are prescribed on an annual basis each July. Overall, reimbursement rates this year for the National School Lunch, Breakfast Programs and the Special Milk Program either remained the same or increased compared to last year. Special Note: For the school year beginning July 1, 2021 and ending June 30, 2022, school food authorities operating the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option under Food and Nutrition Service- issued nationwide waivers #85 (Nationwide Waiver to Allow the Seamless Summer Option through School Year 2021-2022) and #86 (Nationwide Waiver to Allow Summer Food Service Program Reimbursement Rates in School Year 2021-2022) may receive the reimbursement rates prescribed for the Summer Food Service Program (85 FR 86901) in lieu of the reimbursement rates established in this notice. The Summer Food Service Program reimbursement rates made available to these school food authorities will similarly be updated effective January 1, 2022 through a future notice published in the Federal Register.

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 to provide FNS and WIC State agencies with an ongoing/annual data set that can be used to assess State agencies' compliance with WIC vendor management requirements and estimate State agencies' progress in eliminating fraud, waste, and abuse.

In the American Rescue Plan Act, enacted on March 11, 2021, Congress provided the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) with $100 million in budget authority to reduce the costs of overtime inspection for small and very small official meat and poultry establishments and egg products plants. FSIS will implement this provision by reducing overtime and holiday inspection fees for small establishments by 30 percent and very small establishments by 75 percent. FSIS has developed an Overtime/Holiday Rate Reduction form that official establishments will need to submit to request an overtime or holiday inspection fee reduction. FSIS will review the form to determine whether an establishment qualifies for the fee reduction. This notice contains information on how to complete and submit the form to FSIS and describes the procedures FSIS will follow to implement the American Rescue Plan Act's overtime and holiday inspection fee reduction provisions.

This final rule implements a recommendation from the California Desert Grape Administrative Committee (Committee) to increase the assessment rate established for the 2021 and subsequent fiscal periods. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.