🌾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🌾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🌱Tolerance Exemptions for Pepino Mosaic Virus by EPA
This regulation establishes exemptions from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of Pepino mosaic virus, strain LP, isolate VX1 and Pepino mosaic virus, strain CH2, isolate VC1 in or on all food commodities when used in accordance with label directions and good agricultural practices. Valto BV submitted a petition to the EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requesting these exemptions from the requirement of a tolerance. This regulation eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of Pepino mosaic virus, strain LP, isolate VX1 and Pepino mosaic virus, strain CH2, isolate VC1 under FFDCA when used in accordance with these exemptions.
Learn More🍯Vadescana dsRNA Tolerance Exemption
This regulation establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of Vadescana double-stranded (ds) RNA in or on honey and honeycomb if used according to the label and good agricultural practices. GreenLight Biosciences, Inc. submitted a petition to the EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requesting an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. This regulation eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of Vadescana dsRNA (Varroa destructor-Specific Recombinant Double-Stranded Interfering Oligonucleotide EP15) under FFDCA when used in accordance with this exemption.
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🌿New Pesticide Tolerances Affecting Agriculture and Manufacturing
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) is finalizing several tolerance actions under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) that the Agency previously determined were necessary or appropriate during the registration review conducted under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). During registration review, EPA reviews all aspects of a pesticide case, including existing tolerances, to ensure that the pesticide continues to meet the standard for registration under FIFRA.
Learn More🌱EPA Proposes New Pesticide Tolerances and Regulation Updates
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) is proposing to implement several tolerance actions under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) that the Agency determined were necessary or appropriate during the registration review conducted under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). During registration review, EPA reviews all aspects of a pesticide case, including existing tolerances, to ensure that the pesticide continues to meet the standard for registration under FIFRA. The pesticide tolerances and active ingredients addressed in this rulemaking are identified and discussed in detail in Unit III. of this document.
Learn More📉USDA Updates Tobacco Grading and Inspections Regulations
This direct final rule amends regulations that govern tobacco price support services established under the Agricultural Act of 1949. The Fair and Equitable Tobacco Reform Act of 2004 eliminated the price support and quota system for tobacco produced in the United States. In alignment with Executive Order 14192, AMS is removing and, where appropriate, amending regulations that have expired authorizing statutes and govern non-operational programs.
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 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.
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