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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 Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the USDA has issued a final rule revising the fee structure for Section 8e import inspections of fresh fruits, vegetables, and other products. Inspections will now be charged on a per-pound basis instead of a per-carlot basis, with a significant reduction in additional sublot fees by 50%. This change aims to better reflect the actual inspection costs and reduce financial impact on smaller shipments. The rule is expected to result in equal or lower fees for about 77% of the inspections conducted over recent years and is designed to avoid disproportionately burdening small businesses.

The USDA's Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement is holding a public teleconference meeting for the Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers (ACMF) on February 10, 2021. The meeting will address topics like USDA outreach, technical assistance, and capacity building for minority farmers. It will also discuss the implementation of the Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmer and Rancher Grant Program and strategies for increasing the participation of minority farmers in USDA programs. Public comments can be submitted via email, and accommodations can be made for participants with disabilities.

The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS), part of the USDA, has announced a funding opportunity under the Timber Production Expansion Guaranteed Loan Program for 2024. This program will help lenders provide loans to entities looking to build or improve sawmills and wood processing facilities near priority U.S. Forest Service lands. Over $200 million will be available starting in 2025, funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The goal is to support ecological restoration efforts by using byproducts from these projects and to advance rural economic opportunities, while prioritizing climate change mitigation and racial equity.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is looking to renew an approved information collection about business registration requirements. The notice invites public comments on the necessity and burden of this information collection, which affects meat and poultry handlers like brokers and wholesalers. Comments must be submitted by April 21, 2025, and there are no changes to the current information collection structure, which will expire on June 30, 2025. Public feedback will be summarized and included in the request for approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is asking for public comments about updating the Poultry Standards, which help classify poultry based on quality. These standards were last significantly revised in 1998 and need to be modernized to include new technology and consumer preferences. AMS wants feedback on how to make these standards more relevant for current technologies, industry practices, and the needs of consumers, companies, and smaller poultry operations. The public can submit comments electronically or by mail by March 17, 2025.

The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) decided to withdraw a proposed rule aimed at improving the quality control system for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Initially published on September 19, 2023, this rule was designed to enhance SNAP's integrity and accuracy as part of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. FNS will continue to collaborate with stakeholders to explore new regulations and improve overall program oversight and state compliance. This withdrawal allows the FNS to consider additional strategies for enhancing SNAP's quality control efforts.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has postponed the effective date of a new rule concerning privacy for certain records systems until April 11, 2025. This rule was originally set to take effect on February 10, 2025, and involves exempting a USDA records system from some Privacy Act provisions to avoid interfering with law enforcement. This delay allows further review and aligns with a presidential memorandum that calls for regulatory review. The action uses a legal exemption that allows the immediate delay without public comment.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a final rule through its Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) to amend the USDA organic regulations with new standards for organic mushroom production and pet food handling. This rule clarifies standards such as the composition and sourcing of materials used in organic mushroom production and the use of synthetic nutrients like taurine in organic pet food. These amendments aim to resolve inconsistencies in existing regulations to promote fair competition and market growth for both organic mushrooms and pet food. The rule is effective February 21, 2025, with compliance required by February 22, 2027.

The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (Agency), USDA released a correction notice to a previous announcement about the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) Program. The initial notice contained two incorrect funding amounts and did not mention that applicants could submit their applications via email. This correction updates the available funding to approximately $33 million and clarifies that applications can be submitted either in paper or electronically by specific deadlines. The notice also provides guidance on where and how to send applications.