Search Results for agency_names:"Agriculture Department"

The Department of Agriculture has submitted a request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and reinstatement of an information collection requirement under the Paperwork Reduction Act. The collection, conducted by the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), aims to gather feedback from state, local, and tribal governments on outbreaks of foodborne illnesses related to meat, poultry, and egg products. This information will help FSIS improve communication and outreach efforts. The public is invited to provide comments on the necessity, utility, and burden of this data collection by January 9, 2025.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of Agriculture has issued a final rule confirming fee changes for official grain inspection and weighing services provided by the Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS). Originally set in an interim rule from June 2024, these fee revisions came into effect in July 2024 and have been finalized without changes. The fees aim to cover costs for mandatory services under the United States Grain Standards Act, which requires annual fee adjustments and maintaining a financial reserve. Despite acknowledging comments on the potential impact of these fees on grain marketing, AMS noted that the changes are necessary for the continued operation of inspection services, ultimately benefiting all participants by reflecting current service costs.

The Department of Agriculture submitted a request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval of an information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The information is necessary for farmers and ranchers to nominate candidates for the Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committee elections using form FSA-669A. The form collects details like the nominee's name, address, and signatures, and includes an optional section for race, ethnicity, and gender data. Those participating in the nomination must meet eligibility requirements, and the information helps prepare for the annual elections.

In a notice from the Food and Nutrition Service, under the Department of Agriculture, public comments are invited on a new information collection named Waivers and State Plans (WiSP). This initiative aims to streamline the process for state agencies by transitioning from individual collections to a single application for requesting program waivers and submitting state plans. It supports programs like the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and aims to enhance efficiency and compliance with legislation such as the American Rescue Plan Act and the Access to Baby Formula Act. The public is encouraged to comment on the utility and burden of this collection effort by February 28, 2025.

The U.S. Codex Office is hosting a public meeting on February 5, 2025, to discuss and gather feedback on topics for the 22nd Session of the Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables, which will occur in Mexico City from February 25 to March 1, 2025. Participants can register to attend the meeting virtually via video conference and are encouraged to submit comments. The meeting will cover issues like fresh fruit and vegetable standards, draft standards for specific produce, and other related business. Information and documents for the upcoming session will be available online, and the meeting offers an opportunity for the public to understand and comment on U.S. positions for the upcoming discussions.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has decided to allow the importation of fresh rosemary and tarragon leaves and stems from Ethiopia into the continental United States. This decision follows a review of pest risk analyses, which showed that specific phytosanitary measures will effectively reduce the risk of spreading plant pests and noxious weeds. The importation is set to begin on December 20, 2024, and will adhere to the measures specified in the USDA APHIS Agricultural Commodity Import Requirements database.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is proposing a change to better reflect the cost of food in Hawaii, impacting the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP). Currently, SNAP benefit calculations for Hawaii are based solely on food prices in Honolulu, but the proposed rule seeks to include prices from across the entire state. This change aims to provide a fairer and more accurate distribution of SNAP benefits to residents in all parts of Hawaii, acknowledging that food costs can be higher in areas outside of Honolulu. The public is invited to comment on this proposed rule until February 3, 2025.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is implementing changes to the Biobased Markets Program, also known as the BioPreferred Program, following updates from the 2018 Farm Bill. The updated rule merges two previous sets of guidelines into one, streamlining the regulatory process for designating and labeling biobased products that qualify for federal procurement preferences. This final rule aims to make it easier for these products to qualify for federal use and merges federal guidelines for procurement and labeling into a single, simplified regulation effective January 8, 2025.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a final rule that modifies work requirements and exemptions for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in response to the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023. This rule expands work requirements to include adults aged 50 to 54, but also provides new exemptions for homeless individuals, veterans, and young adults who have aged out of foster care. These changes are expected to affect federal spending and administrative processes while impacting SNAP eligibility for some participants. The rule will take effect on January 16, 2025, with certain provisions expiring on October 1, 2030.

The Rural Housing Service (RHS), a part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, had planned a new rule regarding how credit reports are obtained for their Multifamily Housing Programs. This rule was initially set to go into effect on January 30, 2025, but the effective date has now been delayed until March 31, 2025. The delay is due to a presidential memorandum that called for a review of new regulations. This action allows department officials more time to review the changes without the need for public comments, as the delay is intended to ensure orderly implementation of the rule.