Search Results for agency_names:"Agriculture Department"

The Forest Service of the USDA is inviting public comments regarding the continuation of a current information collection program, known as the Small Business Timber Sale Set-Aside Program. This initiative aims to ensure that small businesses have the opportunity to purchase timber from the National Forest System. Every five years, the Forest Service evaluates and adjusts the amount of timber reserved for small businesses, considering factors like manufacturing capability and business size changes. The public is encouraged to provide feedback on the necessity, accuracy, and ways to enhance the process of this information collection by April 26, 2021.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture is announcing a virtual meeting of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) from April 29 to May 1, 2025. The meeting will discuss standards for organic production and substances allowed or prohibited in organic products. The public can submit written comments by April 28, 2025, or give oral comments during webinars on April 22 and 24, 2025. Access and more details are available on the AMS website.

The Eleven Point Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) is scheduled to hold a public meeting on February 26, 2025, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in Rolla, Missouri, and online. The committee, which works under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act, aims to boost collaboration and provide guidance to the Forest Service on projects and funding related to the Mark Twain National Forest. Participants must pre-register by February 17, 2025, to provide oral comments. The meeting will focus on discussing proposals for Title II projects and making funding recommendations.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), has announced a delay in the implementation of a set of record exemptions related to the Privacy Act. Originally set to be effective from January 10, 2025, these exemptions will now be postponed until April 11, 2025, following a regulatory freeze directive from the President. The records pertain to the Smuggling Interdiction and Trade Compliance National Information Communication Activity System (SNICAS), which tracks activities to prevent illegal importation of commodities. The delay allows APHIS to further review the exemptions, which restrict public access to certain law enforcement records.

The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) is setting up a new committee called the Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Advisory Committee. This committee will help guide the USDA on how to develop policies and reach out to people related to urban, indoor, and cutting-edge farming practices. They are looking for people to nominate themselves or others to join this committee, which will have 12 members meeting at least three times a year across the country. The committee aims to include diverse members who can represent minorities, women, and people with disabilities while discussing innovative farming ideas.

The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) is providing extra support to farmers impacted by COVID-19. This final rule offers more help to swine producers who applied for CFAP 1 and extends aid to some swine and poultry contract producers under CFAP 2. It also updates eligible commodities, changes payment calculations for some crops, and includes new rules based on the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. Eligible producers don't have to reapply if they've applied before but must meet certain criteria to receive aid.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has announced new user fee rates for veterinary services related to imports and exports of live animals and animal products. These changes aim to ensure the fees cover the actual costs of providing services, as the program relies solely on these fees due to a lack of direct funding. Although some commenters supported the fee increases, many expressed concerns about the financial impact on businesses, customer service issues, and the abrupt nature of the changes. APHIS responded by emphasizing the necessity of the fee adjustment to maintain service availability and program solvency, while also committing to transparency regarding cost data and acknowledging stakeholder feedback.

The United States Department of Agriculture's Forest Service has issued a final rule relating to grazing advisory boards. These boards, initially established under outdated regulations, have had their provisions removed to align with current laws. The rule clarifies that the requirements for these boards expired in 1985, making them obsolete. This change is purely technical and does not impact small businesses, federal-state relations, or necessitate new paperwork or public input.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is updating its rules on indemnity payments for losses due to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in poultry. New requirements mandate that premises either at risk or affected by HPAI must undergo biosecurity audits to receive indemnity payments. These audits will verify that proper safety measures to prevent disease spread are in place and maintained. Virtual audits will generally suffice for buffer zones, while previously affected premises need in-person audits, unless there are exceptions.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is seeking public comments on its proposed revisions to the information collection for the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP). This program provides fresh produce to low-income women, infants, and children through farmers' markets. The revisions include updated reporting and record-keeping requirements, an increase in the estimated number of hours needed to fulfill these tasks due to program changes, and adjustments based on the anticipated number of participants. The public has until April 12, 2021, to submit their feedback.