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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 Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has prepared an analysis assessing the risks of importing fresh leaves and stems of glasswort from Israel to the United States. This analysis determines that specific phytosanitary measures can effectively prevent the introduction of plant pests or noxious weeds. APHIS is inviting public comments on the risk analysis by June 10, 2025. They will issue a final decision on the import status after reviewing any comments received.

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 Rural Business-Cooperative Service of the USDA is planning to revise an information collection for the Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) program. This program aims to create and enhance jobs in low-income rural areas by supporting industry clusters. They are inviting the public to provide feedback on the necessity and impact of this information collection. Comments need to be submitted by February 18, 2025, and further information can be obtained from Katherine Anne Mathis at the USDA.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is modifying a records system called the APHIS Veterinary Services User Fee System to be renamed as the APHIS User Fee System. This system helps track and process fees for services APHIS provides, such as inspections, through a user fee collection method. The modifications will include updating system management details, expanding covered categories, and enhancing security measures. Individuals affected by these changes must submit comments by May 12, 2025.

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 Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Rural Housing Service, and Rural Utilities Service within the USDA have issued corrections to a final rule for the OneRD Guarantee Loan Program originally published on September 30, 2024. These corrections address issues such as a misspelled subject heading, incorrect instructions, an incomplete definition of an "affiliate," and inaccuracies regarding protective advances. Key changes include clarifying rules about when agency approval is required for protective advances and updating specific sections of the regulation. This corrected rule aims to improve the management of agricultural and rural development loan programs.

The Food and Nutrition Service of the USDA announced in a notice the types of foods that will be available through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) for Fiscal Year 2021. The notice details both surplus foods, which include items like dairy, grains, meats, and fruits, and purchased foods, supported by various legislative acts and additional funding due to COVID-19 impacts. These foods are distributed to states for helping individuals in need, with allocations based on factors like poverty and unemployment rates. The availability of specific foods can change due to agricultural market conditions.

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 Foreign Agricultural Service of the USDA has announced their intention to gather approval for a new information collection process related to their Trade Missions and Trade Shows Program. This collection will help determine the eligibility of applicants for participation in trade missions, shows, and virtual events sponsored by the USDA. Feedback is sought from participants about these events, such as their satisfaction and sales data. Comments on the necessity, burden, and ways to minimize the collection process are being requested from the public until April 19, 2021.