🧀FDA Proposes Revocation of Dairy Product Identity Standards
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is proposing to revoke 18 standards of identity for dairy products. FDA is taking this action as we tentatively conclude that these standards are no longer necessary to promote honesty and fair dealing in the interest of consumers. This proposed action would reduce redundant regulatory requirements.
Learn More🌾Supplemental Disaster Relief Program Offers $30.78 Billion Assistance
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is issuing this final rule announcing SDRP, which provides assistance to eligible producers for losses to crops, trees, bushes, and vines due to wildfires, hurricanes, floods, derechos, excessive heat, tornadoes, winter storms, freeze (including a polar vortex), smoke exposure, excessive moisture, qualifying drought, and related conditions occurring in calendar years 2023 and 2024. SDRP assistance will be provided in two stages, referred to as Stage 1 and Stage 2. This document provides the eligibility requirements, application process, and payment calculations for SDRP Stage 1 only, which will provide payments for eligible crop, tree, and vine losses calculated using data already on file with USDA from previously issued Federal crop insurance indemnities and Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) payments. FSA anticipates announcing SDRP Stage 2 in a later rule.
Learn More🌾USDA Ends Race and Sex-Based Preferences in Assistance Programs
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has independently determined that it will no longer employ the race- and sex-based "socially disadvantaged" designation to provide increased benefits based on race and sex in the programs at issue in this regulation. The USDA has faced a long history of litigation stemming from allegations of discrimination in the administration of its farm loan and benefit programs. However, over the past several decades, USDA has undertaken substantial efforts to redress past injustices, culminating in comprehensive settlements, institutional reforms, and compensatory frameworks. These actions collectively support the conclusion that past discrimination has been sufficiently addressed and that further race- and sex-based remedies are no longer necessary or legally justified under current circumstances.
Learn More🥛FDA Extends Yogurt Market Testing Permit for Chobani, LLC
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is announcing the amendment to the temporary permit issued to Chobani, LLC, (Chobani) to market test yogurt deviating from the yogurt standard of identity and lower fat yogurt products deviating from the general definition and standard of identity in 21 CFR 130.10 by using ultrafiltered nonfat milk as a basic dairy ingredient. We are also announcing an extension to this permit, which allows Chobani to continue to evaluate commercial viability of these products and to collect data on consumer acceptance of these products in support of a petition to amend the standard of identity for yogurt. We also invite other interested parties to participate in the market test.
Learn More🌾Simplifying Agriculture Regulations
FSA is in the process of reviewing all regulations within its purview to reduce regulatory burdens and costs. Pursuant to this review, FSA has identified the following obsolete, unnecessary, and outdated provisions in title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulation (CFR). FSA is removing these provisions to streamline and clarify the dictates of title 7. The changes in this rule will have no impacts on past or present FSA customers.
Learn More🌾Removal of Obsolete Agriculture Regulations by FSA
FSA is in the process of reviewing all regulations within its purview to reduce regulatory burdens and costs. Pursuant to this review, FSA has identified the following obsolete, unnecessary, and outdated provisions. FSA is removing these provisions to streamline and clarify the dictates of FSA regulations. The changes in this rule will have no impact on past or present FSA customers.
Learn More🐄Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) for 2023 and 2024
The Secretary of Agriculture is issuing this rule to implement the Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) 2023 and 2024, which provides payments to eligible livestock producers for losses due to qualifying drought and qualifying wildfire occurring in calendar years 2023 and 2024. This rule specifies the administrative provisions, eligibility requirements, and payment calculation for ELRP 2023 and 2024. The Farm Service Agency (FSA) will calculate payments using data already submitted to FSA by Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) participants; therefore, producers are not required to file an additional application to receive ELRP 2023 and 2024 payments.
Learn More🌾Removal of Obsolete Crop Assistance Program Regulations
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is updating our regulations to remove the FSA Crop Assistance Program (CAP), which is obsolete. The changes in this rule will have no impacts on past or present FSA customers.
Learn More🌾Analysis of Supplemental Agricultural Assistance Programs Regulations
This rule makes discretionary changes to simplify and streamline deadlines for the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP), the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP), and the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). It also makes changes to clarify ELAP provisions for assistance for transportation of livestock feed.
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