🌾Geographic Area Updates for Official Grain Inspection Services
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is announcing updates to the boundaries of the geographic areas in which official service providers (OSP) perform official inspection and weighing services under a United States Grain Standards Act (USGSA) designation or delegation, and for purposes of cooperative service agreements under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (AMA). The updates are necessary due to changes in natural and man-made landmarks, railroad lines, roads, and signs that were used in historical boundary descriptions.
Learn More🌱USDA Interim Final Rule on NEPA Regulations Revisions
This interim final rule modifies the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and removes various USDA agency regulations for implementing NEPA. USDA is taking this action in response to the Council on Environmental Quality's rescission of its NEPA implementing regulations (which USDA's NEPA regulations were designed to supplement), statutory changes to NEPA, executive orders, and case law. Comments are voluntarily requested on this action to inform USDA's decision-making.
Learn More🌱EPA Announces Emergency Exemption for Isocycloseram in Onion Farming
EPA is announcing a specific exemption request from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to use the insecticide isocycloseram (CAS No. 2061933-85-3) to treat up to 2,500 acres of bulb onion to control onion thrips. The applicant proposes the use of a new chemical which has not been registered by EPA. Due to the urgent nature of the emergency, the limited time available to authorize this request in time for the use season, and the recently concluded public participation process for the related proposed Section 3 product registration for the same use, EPA has eliminated the public comment period. Nonetheless, interested parties may still contact the Agency with information about this notice and treatment program.
Learn More🌾Proposed Rule to Rescind H-2A Labor Regulation Requirements
The Department of Labor (Department or DOL) is proposing to amend its regulations governing the certification of agricultural labor or services to be performed by temporary foreign workers in H-2A nonimmigrant status (H-2A workers) and enforcement of the contractual obligations applicable to employers of such nonimmigrant workers. This notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM or proposed rule) that would rescind provisions contained within a final rule published by the Department on April 29, 2024, which adopted a number of unnecessary, burdensome, and costly requirements on employers. Specifically, these provisions include, but are not limited to, substantial new requirements associated with the material terms and conditions offered by employers to H-2A workers that are not commonly provided to other U.S. workers, including progressive discipline policies for cause-based employment terminations, anti-retaliation measures for certain workers engaged in self-organization and other concerted activities, and expanding the authority and scope for a State Workforce Agency (SWA) to discontinue employment services to employers, which prevents those employers from accessing the H-2A program, while eliminating employers' option to request a hearing prior to the SWA's final determination. Further, the final rule imposed extensive highly-sensitive data collection requirements on employers related to their use of foreign labor recruiters, including personal names and physical addresses abroad, as well as detailed personal information associated with all owners of the employers, operators of the place(s) of employment, and supervisor(s) and manager(s) of workers employed under the terms of the work contract, with very limited or no practical utility to the agency's statutory decision making. A brief summary of this rulemaking can be found at www.regulations.gov by searching by the RIN: 1205-AC25.
Learn More🥓Implications of Removing Pumped Bacon Sampling Regulations
FSIS is amending the Federal meat inspection regulations to remove the provisions providing for FSIS' sampling and testing of pumped bacon for nitrosamines. FSIS stopped sampling for nitrosamines in 1998.
Learn More🍏OMB Review Notice
The USDA has announced a request for comments regarding an information collection relating to the Federal-State Supplemental Nutrition Programs Agreement. This includes a requirement for states to enter a contract for the administration of nutrition programs, such as WIC, ensuring compliance with federal regulations for funding and operations.
Learn More🌾Proposed Rescission of Migrant Farmworker Enforcement Regulations
The Department of Labor (the Department or DOL) proposes to remove the regulations that set forth the procedures within the Department for the coordination of enforcement activities by the Wage and Hour Division (WHD), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) relating to migrant farmworkers. The Department is proposing this removal because these regulations limit the Department's discretion, impose unnecessary and duplicative internal procedures, and prevent the Department's agencies from coordinating with regard to migrant farmworkers in more efficient, effective ways.
Learn More🏡Proposed Rule on Household Income Calculations in Rural Housing Programs
The Rural Housing Service (RHS or Agency), a Rural Development (RD) agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), proposes to amend its regulation to implement changes related to income calculation and net family assets for properties that receive funding from the Multi-Family Housing (MFH) Section 515 Rural Rental Housing and the Section 514/516 Farm Labor Housing Direct Loan and Grant programs. These proposed changes are intended to align the Agency's annual income certification requirements with the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 (HOTMA).
Learn More🥩Proposed Rule to Remove Standard of Identity for Canned Tripe with Milk
FSIS is proposing to remove the standard of identity for canned "Tripe with Milk." Although some establishments may continue to produce canned tripe with milk products, FSIS has determined that the existing standard for the finished canned article is unnecessary. The preamble to the rule that established the standard in 1950 did not provide any explanation or justification for the standard. Removal of the standard would provide greater flexibility for establishments. FSIS' labeling requirements are sufficient to ensure that these products are not misbranded.
Learn More⚡Notice of Decision on Central Electric Power Cooperative Assistance
Notice is hereby given that the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency within the Department of Agriculture (USDA), has issued a Record of Decision (ROD) to meet its responsibilities in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA, RUS Environmental Policies and Procedures, and other applicable environmental requirements related to providing financial assistance for Central Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. (Central Electric or the Applicant) proposed McClellanville 115 kilovolt (kV) transmission line (Project) in South Carolina. The Administrator of RUS has signed the ROD, which was effective upon signing. This ROD concludes RUS environmental review process in accordance with NEPA and RUS, Environmental Policies and Procedures. The ultimate decision as to loan approval depends on the conclusion of the environmental review process plus financial and engineering analyses. Issuance of the ROD allows these reviews to proceed. The ROD is not a decision on the Central Electric's loan application and is not an approval of the expenditure of federal funds.
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