Department of Agriculture – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Rural Housing Service (RHS), a Rural Development agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is correcting a notice of funding availability (NOFA) that was published in the Federal Register on April 21, 2023, entitled, ``Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2023.'' The Notice announced the acceptance of applications under the Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training (TAT) Grant Program for fiscal year (FY) 2023. The document contained an incorrect date. The purpose of this notice is to correct the application deadline dates published in the Federal Register on April 21, 2023.

This final rule sets forth a process by which applicants for official grain inspection services (applicants) may request a service exception, allowing an official agency (OA) to cross boundary lines and perform services outside of its assigned geographic area. While four exception types are authorized in the United States Grain Standards Act (USGSA or Act), this final rule focuses on two: the inability to provide services in a timely manner and the nonuse of service from the OA assigned to the applicant's geographic area (assigned OA). This final rule establishes a three-tiered system under which applicants can request a one-time, 90-day, or long-term timely service exception due to untimely service issues. This rule provides that nonuse of service exception requests must be preceded by ninety days without service from the assigned OA. This final rule further amends the regulations to provide criteria the Federal Grain Inspection Service (``FGIS'' or ``the Service'') will use to review, validate, and determine whether to grant service exception requests. This final rule also establishes a process that allows an assigned OA to challenge requests for service exceptions. Finally, this rule provides for FGIS review to ensure the validity of requests.

The Risk Management Agency (RMA), on behalf of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC), announces the availability of funding under the Additional Payment (ADD PAY) Program. The ADD PAY Program is a one-time additional payment to Approved Insurance Providers (AIP) administering eligible crop insurance contracts for 2021 reinsurance year specialty crops. The total funding available for the ADD PAY Program is $25 million. Funding for the ADD PAY Program will be distributed to AIPs proportionally based on their respective liabilities for eligible crop insurance contracts for 2021 reinsurance year specialty crops.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act requirement, 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.

This notice of funding opportunity (notice) announces that the Rural Business-Cooperative Service (Agency) is accepting fiscal year (FY) 2023 applications for the Delta Health Care Services (DHCS) grant program. The purpose of this program is to provide financial assistance to address the continued unmet health needs in the Delta Region through cooperation among health care professionals, institutions of higher education, research institutions, and economic development entities in the Delta Region. There is $3 million currently available for FY 2023. All funds must support projects located in persistent poverty counties in the Delta Region and as described in the Overview section of this notice. All applicants are responsible for any expenses incurred in developing their applications.

The National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) will hold a public meeting of the full Committee and Subcommittees from May 16, 2023 to May 18, 2023. The Committee will provide updates on the charges related to Cyclospora cayetanensis in produce and Cronobacter spp. in Powdered Infant Formula.

We are advising the public that we have prepared a pest risk analysis that evaluates the risks associated with importation of fresh ginseng roots (Panax ginseng C.A. Mey.) from the Republic of Korea into the United States. Based on the analysis, we have determined 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 ginseng roots (Panax ginseng C.A. Mey.) from the Republic of Korea. We are making the pest risk analysis available to the public for review and comment.

The Rural Housing Service (RHS or Agency), an agency within Rural Development (RD), announces updates in the process for competitive lender submissions (responses) regarding proposed projects for the Section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program (GRRHP). The amount of program dollars available for the GRRHP will be determined by the Appropriations Act for each fiscal year.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is proposing to declare that not-ready-to-eat (NRTE) breaded stuffed chicken products that contain Salmonella at levels of 1 colony forming unit (CFU) per gram or higher are adulterated within the meaning of the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA). Although the labeling of these products has undergone significant changes over time to better inform consumers that they are raw and to provide instructions on how to prepare them safely, NRTE breaded stuffed chicken products continue to be associated with Salmonella illness outbreaks. Therefore, FSIS has concluded that public health measures that focus primarily on product labeling and consumer handling practices have not been effective in preventing additional foodborne illnesses associated with NRTE breaded stuffed chicken products. FSIS is also proposing to carry out verification procedures, including sampling and testing of the chicken component of these products prior to stuffing and breading, to ensure producing establishments control Salmonella in these products.

This proposed rule would implement a recommendation from the Almond Board of California (Board) to make changes to multiple provisions in the administrative requirements prescribed under the Federal marketing order regulating the handling of almonds grown in California (Order). This action would amend administrative requirements regulating quality control, exempt dispositions, and interest and late charges provisions. In addition, the proposed rule would stay two sections of the administrative requirements that define almond butter and stipulate disposition in reserve outlets by handlers to facilitate the efficient administration of the Order.

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 Agricultural Prices Surveys. Revision to burden hours will be needed due to the addition and/or deletion of surveys, changes in the size of the target population, sampling design, and/or questionnaire length.

The Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA, published a document in the Federal Register of April 7, 2023, that directed a referendum be conducted among eligible Oregon and Washington pear growers to determine whether they favor continuance of the marketing order regulating the handling of pears grown in Oregon and Washington. This correction addresses errors regarding certain dates contained in the narrative of the referendum order.

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 a new information collection related to livestock production practices under the USDA organic regulations.

The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS or the Agency), a Rural Development (RD) agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), invites applications for grants under the Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) program for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023. This notice is being issued to allow applicants sufficient time to leverage financing, prepare and submit applications, and give the Agency time to process applications within FY 2023. Funding of $5.8 million will be available for FY 2023. Successful applications will be selected by the Agency for funding and subsequently awarded. All applicants are responsible for any expenses incurred in developing their applications.

Pursuant to the provisions of the rules and regulations of the Department of Agriculture and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), FSIS is announcing a virtual meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI). The purpose of the Committee is to advise the Secretary of Agriculture on State and Federal meat and poultry inspection programs, food safety, and other matters that fall within the scope of the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA), and the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA). The committee will convene virtually on June 21-22, 2023, in a public meeting where FSIS will present one charge to the Committee: to offer input on ways FSIS can enhance outreach efforts to best promote equity and bring economic opportunity to underserved communities and individuals, while strengthening the food supply chain and ensuring compliance with food safety regulations.

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 an extension to the currently approved information collection in support of the Fair and Equitable Tobacco Reform Act of 2004, the Rural Development, Food and Drug Administrative, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for 2002 (Appropriations Act), and the Tobacco Inspection Act and Regulations Governing the Tobacco Standards.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is requesting comments from all interested individuals and organizations on a renewal of a currently approved information collection request. This information collection is necessary to support the procurement of agricultural commodities for domestic and export food donation programs. AMS issues invitations to purchase or sell and transport commodities, as well as sample, inspect and survey, agricultural commodities at both domestic and foreign locations for use in international food donation programs on a monthly, multiple monthly, quarterly, and yearly basis. The AMS Commodity Procurement Program contracts for marine cargo discharge survey services conducted at the foreign destinations to ascertain count and condition of the commodities delivered.

The Flathead Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will hold a public meeting according to the details shown below. 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 (FACA). 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 to make recommendations on recreation fee proposals for sites on the Flathead National Forest within Flathead County, consistent with the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service is inviting public feedback and initiating Tribal consultation on the following topic and additional questions: Given that climate change and related stressors are resulting in increasing impacts with rapid and variable rates of change on national forests and grasslands, how should the Forest Service adapt current policies to protect, conserve, and manage the national forests and grasslands for climate resilience, so that the Agency can provide for ecological integrity and support social and economic sustainability over time?

The Rural Housing Service (RHS or the Agency), a Rural Development (RD) mission area agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), announces the availability of funding under the Housing Preservation Grant (HPG) program for fiscal year (FY) 2023, making available grant funds to sponsoring organizations for the repair or rehabilitation of housing owned or occupied by low- and very-low- income rural citizens under the HPG Program. The purpose of this notice is to announce the opening and closing dates for receipt of preapplications for HPG funds, including the availability of calendar year 2022 disaster assistance, from eligible applicants, as well as submission requirements. Expenses incurred in developing preapplications will be at the applicant's cost.

The Forest Service (Forest Service or Agency), U.S. Department of Agriculture, provides direction to employees through issuances in its Directive System, comprised of the Forest Service Manual and Forest Service Handbooks. The Agency must provide public notice of and opportunity to comment on any directives that formulate standards, criteria, or guidelines applicable to Forest Service programs. Once per quarter, the Agency provides advance notice of proposed and interim directives that will be made available for public comment during the next three months and notice of final directives issued in the last three months.

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting the interim final rule on non-discretionary quality control provisions of Title IV of the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, and its correction, as final. In this final rule, USDA is also removing one obsolete paragraph from the interim final rule due to the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) subsequent approval of information collection activities associated with the rule.

We are advising the public that we have prepared an economic evaluation (EE) relative to deregulating chrysanthemum white rust (CWR) fungus as a quarantine pest. Based on the conclusions of this EE, we are proposing that CWR would no longer be subject to eradication if detected domestically. Additionally, we have prepared a pest risk analysis regarding the importation of Chrysanthemum spp. and synonymous genera cuttings and in vitro plantlets under a systems approach from Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Germany, Guatemala, Kenya, Mexico, the Netherlands, Nicaragua, Panama, Spain, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam, which are all CWR-affected countries, into the continental United States. We have also prepared a pest risk analysis regarding the importation of cuttings, in vitro plantlets, and plants with roots of the same Chrysanthemum spp. and synonymous genera from Canada under a separate protocol. We are making the EE and the pest risk analyses available for review and comment.