<DOC>
[November 24, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 227)]
[Unified Agenda]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID: f:ua081102.wais]
[Page 71306-71324]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Part III
Department of Agriculture
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Semiannual Regulatory Agenda
[[Page 71306]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)
_______________________________________________________________________
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Office of the Secretary
7 CFR Subtitle A, Chs. I-VII, IX-XII, XIV-XVIII, XXI, XXIV-XXIX
9 CFR Chs. I-IV
36 CFR Ch. II
41 CFR Ch. 4
Semiannual Regulatory Agenda, Fall 2008
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, USDA.
ACTION: Semiannual regulatory agenda.
_______________________________________________________________________
SUMMARY: This agenda provides summary descriptions of significant and
not significant regulations being developed in agencies of the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) in conformance with Executive Order
12866 ``Regulatory Planning and Review.'' The agenda also describes
regulations affecting small entities as required by section 602 of the
Regulatory Flexibility Act, Public Law 96-354. This agenda also
identifies regulatory actions that are being reviewed in compliance
with section 610(c) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. We invite public
comment on those actions.
     USDA has attempted to list all regulations and regulatory
reviews pending at the time of publication except for minor and
routine or repetitive actions, but some may have been inadvertently
missed. There is no legal significance to the omission of an item
from this listing. Also, the dates shown for the steps of each
action are estimated and are not commitments to act on or by the
date shown.
     USDA's complete regulatory agenda is available online at
www.reginfo.gov. Because publication in the Federal Register is
mandated for the regulatory flexibility agendas required by the
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 602), USDA's printed agenda
entries include only:
    (1) Rules that are likely to have a significant economic impact
on a substantial number of small entities; and
    (2) Rules identified for periodic review under section 610 of
the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
     For this edition of the USDA regulatory agenda, the most
important significant regulatory actions and a Statement of
Regulatory Priorities are included in the Regulatory Plan, which
appears in both the online regulatory agenda and in part II of the
Federal Register that includes the abbreviated regulatory agenda.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information on any
specific entry shown in this agenda, please contact the person listed
for that action. For general comments or inquiries about the agenda,
please contact Michael Poe, Office of Budget and Program Analysis, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250, (202) 720-1272.
Dated: September 12, 2008.
 Michael Poe,
Chief, Legislative and Regulatory Staff.
                               Agricultural Marketing Service--Proposed Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
130         National Organic Program: Access to Pasture (TM-05-14)................................    0581-AC57
131         National Organic Program: Dairy Replacement Animals (Livestock) (TM-07-03)............    0581-AC69
132         Mushroom Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Order (FV-08-702)...............    0581-AC82
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Agricultural Marketing Service--Final Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
133         Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling of Beef, Pork, Lamb, Fish, Perishable                0581-AC26
            Agricultural Commodities, and Peanuts (LS-07-0081)....................................
134         Dairy Import Assessments (DA-08-07)...................................................    0581-AC87
135         Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (Farm Bill)........................................    0581-AC88
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Agricultural Marketing Service--Long-Term Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
136         National Organic Program: Add Standards for the Organic Certification of Wild Captured    0581-AB97
            Aquatic Animals, (TM-01-08)...........................................................
137         National Organic Program, Sunset (2011)(Crops and Processing) (TM-07-14)..............    0581-AC77
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 71307]]
                                Agricultural Marketing Service--Completed Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
138         Mandatory Reporting for Dairy Programs (DA-06-07).....................................    0581-AC66
139         National Organic Program, Sunset (2008) (TM-07-12)....................................    0581-AC76
140         Federal Milk Marketing Orders (DA-08-04)..............................................    0581-AC85
141         Dairy Forward Pricing Program (DC-08-05)..............................................    0581-AC86
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Farm Service Agency--Proposed Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
142         Emergency Forest Restoration Program..................................................    0560-AH89
143         Biomass Crop Assistance Program.......................................................    0560-AH92
144         Farm Loan Programs Loan Making Activities.............................................    0560-AI03
145         Conservation Loan Guarantee Program...................................................    0560-AI04
146         Loan Servicing; Farm Loan Programs....................................................    0560-AI05
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service--Proposed Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
147         Animal Welfare; Regulations and Standards for Birds (Reg Plan Seq No. 1)..............    0579-AC02
148         Importation of Plants for Planting; Establishing a New Category of Plants for Planting    0579-AC03
            Not Authorized for Importation Pending Risk Assessment (Rulemaking Resulting From a
            Section 610 Review) (Reg Plan Seq No. 2)..............................................
149         Tuberculosis in Cattle; Import Requirements for Roping Steers.........................    0579-AC50
150         Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy; Importation of Bovines and Bovine Products (Reg Plan    0579-AC68
            Seq No. 3)............................................................................
151         Handling of Animals; Contingency Plans................................................    0579-AC69
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
References in boldface appear in the Regulatory Plan in part II of this issue of the Federal Register.
                          Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service--Final Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
152         Phytosanitary Certificates for Imported Fruits and Vegetables.........................    0579-AB18
153         Phytophthora Ramorum; Quarantine and Regulations......................................    0579-AB82
154         Interstate Movement of Sheep and Goats; Approved Livestock Facilities, Identification,    0579-AB84
            and Recordkeeping Requirements........................................................
155         Boll Weevil; Quarantine and Regulations...............................................    0579-AB91
156         Standards for Permanent, Privately Owned Horse Quarantine Facilities (Section 610         0579-AC00
            Review)...............................................................................
157         Citrus Canker; Compensation for Certified Citrus Nursery Stock........................    0579-AC05
158         Citrus Canker; Quarantine of the State of Florida.....................................    0579-AC07
159         User Fees; Export Certification for Plants and Plant Products.........................    0579-AC22
160         Introduction of Organisms and Products Altered or Produced Through Genetic Engineering    0579-AC31
            (Reg Plan Seq No. 4)..................................................................
161         Importation of Poultry and Poultry Products From Regions Affected With Highly             0579-AC36
            Pathogenic Avian Influenza............................................................
162         Citrus Canker; Interstate Movement of Regulated Nursery Stock From Quarantined Areas..    0579-AC38
163         Import/Export User Fees...............................................................    0579-AC59
164         Importation of Cattle From Mexico; Addition of Port at San Luis, Arizona..............    0579-AC63
165         Revision of Regulations for the Movement of Fruits and Vegetables From Hawaii and U.S.    0579-AC70
            Territories Into the Continental United States........................................
166         Light Brown Apple Moth Quarantine.....................................................    0579-AC71
167         Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia; Interstate Movement and Import Restrictions on Certain      0579-AC74
            Live Fish.............................................................................
168         Citrus Greening and Asian Citrus Psyllid; Quarantine and Interstate Movement              0579-AC85
            Regulations...........................................................................
169         Sirex Woodwasp; Quarantine and Regulations............................................    0579-AC86
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
References in boldface appear in the Regulatory Plan in part II of this issue of the Federal Register.
[[Page 71308]]
                          Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service--Long-Term Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
170         Plant Pest Regulations; Update of Current Provisions (Section 610 Review).............    0579-AA80
171         Animal Welfare: Marine Mammals; Nonconsensus Language and Interactive Programs            0579-AB24
            (Rulemaking Resulting From a Section 610 Review)......................................
172         Foot-and-Mouth Disease; Payment of Indemnity..........................................    0579-AB34
173         Tuberculosis in Cattle; Import Requirements (Section 610 Review)......................    0579-AB44
174         Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy; Minimal-Risk Regions and Importation of Commodities;    0579-AB97
            Unsealing of Means of Conveyance and Transloading of Products.........................
175         National Veterinary Accreditation Program (Rulemaking Resulting From a Section 610        0579-AC04
            Review)...............................................................................
176         Agricultural Inspection and AQI User Fees Along the U.S./Canada Border................    0579-AC06
177         Minimum Age Requirements for the Transport of Animals.................................    0579-AC14
178         Animal Welfare; Climatic and Environmental Conditions for Transportation of               0579-AC41
            Warmblooded Animals Other Than Marine Mammals.........................................
179         Bovine Tuberculosis...................................................................    0579-AC73
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service--Completed Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
180         Trichinae Certification Program.......................................................    0579-AB92
181         Special Need Requests Under the Plant Protection Act..................................    0579-AB98
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Rural Housing Service--Final Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
182         Guaranteed Single-Family Housing......................................................    0575-AC18
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             Food Safety and Inspection Service--Proposed Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
183         Federal-State Interstate Shipment Cooperative Inspection Program (Reg Plan Seq No. 14)    0583-AD37
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
References in boldface appear in the Regulatory Plan in part II of this issue of the Federal Register.
                              Food Safety and Inspection Service--Final Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
184         Performance Standards for the Production of Processed Meat and Poultry Products;          0583-AC46
            Control of Listeria Monocytogenes in Ready-To-Eat Meat and Poultry Products (Reg Plan
            Seq No. 15)...........................................................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
References in boldface appear in the Regulatory Plan in part II of this issue of the Federal Register.
                              Food Safety and Inspection Service--Completed Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
185         Availability of Lists of Retail Consignees During Meat or Poultry Product Recalls.....    0583-AD10
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 71309]]
                                        Forest Service--Final Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
186         Special Areas; State-Specific Inventoried Roadless Area Management: Colorado (Reg Plan    0596-AC74
            Seq No. 19)...........................................................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
References in boldface appear in the Regulatory Plan in part II of this issue of the Federal Register.
                                  Office of the Secretary--Proposed Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
187         Voluntary Labeling Program for Designated Biobased Products...........................    0503-AA35
188         Designation of Biobased Items for Federal Procurement, Round 7........................    0503-AA36
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             Rural Business-Cooperative Service--Proposed Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
189         Renewable Energy--Clarify Requirements for Construction/Development of Energy Program     0570-AA69
            Projects (Rulemaking Resulting From a Section 610 Review).............................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
_______________________________________________________________________
Department of Agriculture (USDA)                    Proposed Rule Stage
Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)
_______________________________________________________________________
130. NATIONAL ORGANIC PROGRAM: ACCESS TO PASTURE (TM-05-14)
Legal Authority: 7 USC 6501 et seq
Abstract: The National Organic Program (NOP) is administered by the
Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). Under the NOP, AMS established
national standards for the production and handling of organically
produced agricultural products. Since implementation of the NOP, some
members of the public have advocated for a more explicit regulatory
standard on the relationship between livestock, particularly dairy
animals, and grazing land. They have asserted the current regulatory
language on access to pasture for ruminants and temporary confinement
based on an animal's stage of production, when applied together, do not
provide a uniform requirement for the pasturing of ruminant animals
that meet the principles underlying an organic management system for
livestock and livestock products that consumers expect. Comments
received as a result of the proposed rule will assist in determining
the Agency's next steps in rulemaking on this issue.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
ANPRM                           04/13/06                    71 FR 19131
ANPRM Comment Period End        06/12/06
NPRM                            10/24/08                    73 FR 63583
NPRM Comment Period End         12/23/08
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Richard H. Mathews, Chief of Standards Development and
Review Branch, Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing
Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250
Phone: 202 720-3252
Fax: 202 205-7808
Email: richard.mathews@usda.gov
RIN: 0581-AC57
_______________________________________________________________________
131. NATIONAL ORGANIC PROGRAM: DAIRY REPLACEMENT ANIMALS (LIVESTOCK)
(TM-07-03)
Legal Authority: 7 USC 6501
Abstract: The National Organic Program (NOP) is administered by the
Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). Under the NOP, AMS established
national standards for the production and handling of organically
produced products. Since implementation of the NOP, some members of the
public have advocated for amending the regulations for sourcing dairy
replacement animals. They have asserted that the current regulatory
language on sourcing dairy replacement animals lacks clarity, has
established an inequitable two track system, and has harmed organic
dairy producers by creating an environment that has prevented the
development of a market for organic dairy replacement animals. They
seek amendment to the regulations to require that once a dairy
operation has converted to organic production all future animals be
organic from the last third of gestation.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
NPRM                            04/00/09
Final Action                    01/00/10
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Richard H. Mathews, Chief of Standards Development and
Review Branch, Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing
Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250
Phone: 202 720-3252
[[Page 71310]]
Fax: 202 205-7808
Email: richard.mathews@usda.gov
RIN: 0581-AC69
_______________________________________________________________________
132. <bullet<ls-thn-eq> MUSHROOM PROMOTION, RESEARCH AND CONSUMER
INFORMATION ORDER (FV-08-702)
Legal Authority: 7 USC 6101 to 6112
Abstract: The Farm bill of 2008 amends the Mushroom Promotion, Research
and Consumer Information Act of 1990 by changing the number of regions
for nominations purposes from four to three; adjusting the number of
pounds required to appoint members to the Mushroom Council; and to
allow for the development of good agricultural and good handling
practices.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
NPRM                            11/00/08
Final Action                    04/00/09
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Sonia Jimenez, Marketing Specialist, Department of
Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, South Building, P.O. Box
96456, Washington, DC 20050-6456
Phone: 202 720-9915
Fax: 202 205-2800
Email: sonia.jimenez@usda.gov
RIN: 0581-AC82
_______________________________________________________________________
Department of Agriculture (USDA)                       Final Rule Stage
Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)
_______________________________________________________________________
133. MANDATORY COUNTRY OF ORIGIN LABELING OF BEEF, PORK, LAMB, FISH,
PERISHABLE AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES, AND PEANUTS (LS-07-0081)
Legal Authority: 7 USC 1621 through 1627, Agricultural Marketing Act of
1946
Abstract: The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Farm
Bill) (Pub. L. 107-171) and the 2002 Supplemental Appropriations Act
(2002 Appropriations) (Pub. L. 107-206) amended the Agricultural
Marketing Act of 1946 (Act) (7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.) to require
retailers to notify their customers of the country of origin of covered
commodities beginning September 30, 2004. Covered commodities include
muscle cuts of beef (including veal), lamb, and pork; ground beef,
ground lamb, and ground pork; farm-raised fish and shellfish; wild fish
and shellfish; perishable agricultural commodities; and peanuts. The FY
2004 Consolidated Appropriations bill (2004 Appropriations) (Pub. L.
108-199) delayed implementation of mandatory Country of Origin Labeling
(COOL) for all covered commodities except wild and farm-raised fish and
shellfish until September 30, 2006. The FY 2006 Agriculture
Appropriations Bill further delayed the implementation date for other
covered commodities until September 30, 2008.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
NPRM                            10/30/03                    68 FR 61944
NPRM Comment Period End         12/29/03
Interim Final Rule              10/05/04                    69 FR 59708
Interim Final Rule Comment
Period End                      01/03/05
Interim Final Rule Effective    04/04/05
Comment Period Extended         11/27/06                    71 FR 68431
Comment Period End              02/26/07
Comment Period Extended         06/20/07                    72 FR 33851
Comment Period End              08/20/07
Interim Final Rule              08/01/08                    73 FR 45105
Interim Final Rule Comment
Period End                      08/30/08                    73 FR 45106
Final Action                    12/00/08
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Erin Morris, Department of Agriculture, Agricultural
Marketing Service, 14th and Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC
20250
Phone: 202 720-5131
Email: erin.morris@usda.gov
RIN: 0581-AC26
_______________________________________________________________________
134. <bullet<ls-thn-eq> DAIRY IMPORT ASSESSMENTS (DA-08-07)
Legal Authority: 7 USC 4501 to 4513
Abstract: The Agricultural Marketing service is establishing a dairy
import assessment program as required by law. This action is in
conformance the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Farm Bill).
The Farm Bill mandates that the Dairy Promotion and Research Order be
amended to implement an assessment on imported dairy products to fund
promotion and research, and allow for importer representation on the
National Dairy Promotion and Research Board.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
Interim Final Rule              11/00/08
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Whitney Rick, Promotion and Research Branch Chief,
Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, 1400
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250
Phone: 202 720-6909
Fax: 202 720-0285
Email: whitney.rick@usda.gov
RIN: 0581-AC87
_______________________________________________________________________
135. <bullet<ls-thn-eq> SPECIALTY CROP BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM (FARM BILL)
Legal Authority: 7 USC 1621
Abstract: The Agricultural Marketing Service is establishing
regulations to administer the Special Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP)
to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. The interim final
rule is intended to establish eligibility and application requirements,
the review and approval process, and grant administration procedures
for SCBGP. The SCBGP is authorized under section 101 of the Specialty
Crops Competitiveness Act (7 U.S.C. 1621 note) and amended un the Food,
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. Section 101 direction the
Secretary of Agriculture to make grants available to States.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
Interim Final Rule              09/04/08                    73 FR 51585
[[Page 71311]]
Interim Final Rule Effective    09/05/08
Final Action                    01/00/09
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Trista Etzig, Project Manager, Department of
Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, Room 2086-South, STOP
0243, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250
Phone: 202 690-4942
Email: trista.etzig@usda.gov
RIN: 0581-AC88
_______________________________________________________________________
Department of Agriculture (USDA)                      Long-Term Actions
Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)
_______________________________________________________________________
136. NATIONAL ORGANIC PROGRAM: ADD STANDARDS FOR THE ORGANIC
CERTIFICATION OF WILD CAPTURED AQUATIC ANIMALS, (TM-01-08)
Legal Authority: 7 USC 6501 through 6522
Abstract: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is revising
regulations pertaining to labeling of agricultural products as
organically produced and handled (7 CFR part 205). The term ``aquatic
animal'' will be incorporated in the definition of livestock to
establish production and handling standards for operations that capture
aquatic animals from the wild. Production standards for operations
producing aquatic animals will incorporate requirements for livestock
origin, feed ration, health care, living conditions, and recordkeeping.
Handling standards for such operations will address prevention of
commingling of organically produced commodities and prevention of
contact between organically produced and prohibited substances.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
ANPRM                           12/00/09
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Richard H. Mathews
Phone: 202 720-3252
Fax: 202 205-7808
Email: richard.mathews@usda.gov
RIN: 0581-AB97
_______________________________________________________________________
137. NATIONAL ORGANIC PROGRAM, SUNSET (2011)(CROPS AND PROCESSING) (TM-
07-14)
Legal Authority: 7 USC 6501
Abstract: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is amending
regulations pertaining to the National List of Allowed and Prohibited
Substances. As required by the National Organic Foods Production Act of
1990, the allowed use of the 12 synthetic and non-synthetic substances
in organic production and handling will expire on September 12, 2001.
The AMS published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking to make the
public aware of this requirement. AMS believes that public comment is
essential in the review process to determine whether these substances
should continue to be allowed or prohibited in the production and
handling of organic agricultural products.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
ANPRM                           03/14/08                    73 FR 13795
ANPRM Comment Period End        05/13/08
NPRM                            10/00/10
Final Action                    08/00/11
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Richard H. Mathews
Phone: 202 720-3252
Fax: 202 205-7808
Email: richard.mathews@usda.gov
RIN: 0581-AC77
_______________________________________________________________________
Department of Agriculture (USDA)                      Completed Actions
Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)
_______________________________________________________________________
138. MANDATORY REPORTING FOR DAIRY PROGRAMS (DA-06-07)
Legal Authority: PL 106-532
Abstract: The Agricultural Marketing Service is proposing to establish
a Dairy Product Mandatory Reporting Program. The program would: (1)
Require persons engaged in manufacturing dairy products to provide the
Department of Agriculture certain information including price,
quantity, and moisture content of dairy products sold by the
manufacturer and (2) require manufacturers and other persons storing
dairy products to report to USDA information on the quantity of dairy
products stored.
Completed:
________________________________________________________________________
Reason                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
Final Action                    06/17/08                    73 FR 34175
Final Action Effective          06/22/08
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: John Mengel
Phone: 202 720-4664
Email: john.mengel@usda.gov
RIN: 0581-AC66
_______________________________________________________________________
139. NATIONAL ORGANIC PROGRAM, SUNSET (2008) (TM-07-12)
Legal Authority: 7 USC 6501
Abstract: This rule pertains to The Agricultural Marketing Services'
National Organic Program. This amendment announces the sunset of 11
exempted substance and 1 prohibited substance added to the National
List. This rule also begins the public comment process on whether the
identified existing exemptions or prohibitions should be continued.
Finally, this rule discusses how the NOP will manage the sunset review
and renewal process.
Completed:
________________________________________________________________________
Reason                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
NPRM                            07/14/08                    73 FR 40194
Final Rule                      10/09/08                    73 FR 59479
Final Rule Effective            11/03/08
[[Page 71312]]
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Richard H. Mathews
Phone: 202 720-3252
Fax: 202 205-7808
Email: richard.mathews@usda.gov
RIN: 0581-AC76
_______________________________________________________________________
140. <bullet<ls-thn-eq> FEDERAL MILK MARKETING ORDERS (DA-08-04)
Legal Authority: 7 USC 601 to 674 and 7253
Abstract: This document informs interested parties of a final rule that
the Agricultural Marketing Service will publish establishing ``Rules of
Practice'' for the Federal Milk Marketing Order rulemaking process.
This document is being published as a result of legislation enacted by
the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Farm Bill).
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
Final Action                    08/20/08                    73 FR 49085
Final Action Effective          08/20/08
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: William Richmond, Marketing Specialist, Department of
Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, 1400 Independence Avenue
SW, Washington, DC 20250
Phone: 202 691-8041
Fax: 202 690-0552
Email: william.richmond@usda.gov
RIN: 0581-AC85
_______________________________________________________________________
141. <bullet<ls-thn-eq> DAIRY FORWARD PRICING PROGRAM (DC-08-05)
Legal Authority: PL 110-246
Abstract: The Agricultural Marketing Service is establishing a program
for producers and cooperative associations to enter voluntarily into
forward price contracts with handlers for milk used for Class II, III,
or IV purposes.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
Final Action                    10/31/08                    73 FR 64868
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: John Mengel, Chief Economist, Department of
Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, 1400 Independence Avenue
SW, Washington, DC 20250
Phone: 202 720-4664
Email: john.mengel@usda.gov
RIN: 0581-AC86
BILLING CODE 3410--02--S
_______________________________________________________________________
Department of Agriculture (USDA)                    Proposed Rule Stage
Farm Service Agency (FSA)
_______________________________________________________________________
142. <bullet<ls-thn-eq> EMERGENCY FOREST RESTORATION PROGRAM
Legal Authority: PL 110-246
Abstract: We are adding a new subpart to the regulations in 7 CFR part
701 to implement the Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) which
was authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill. EFRP will provide cost-share
funding to owner of nonindustrial private forest land to restore the
land after the land is damaged by a natural disaster. The damaged land
must have had a tree cover immediately before the natural disaster.
The 2008 Farm Bill authorized such funds as may be necessary to be
appropriated to carry out this program; the appropriated amounts are to
remain available until expended.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
NPRM                            11/00/08
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Deirdre Holder, Director, Regulatory Review Group,
Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency, 1400 Independence
Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-0572
Phone: 202 205-5851
Fax: 202 720-5233
Email: deirdre.holder@wdc.usda.gov
RIN: 0560-AH89
_______________________________________________________________________
143. <bullet<ls-thn-eq> BIOMASS CROP ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Legal Authority: PL 110-246
Abstract: We are adding a new regulation to implement the Biomass Crop
Assistance Program (BCAP) as required by the 2008 Farm Bill. We will
collaborate with USDA/Rural Development (RD), private industry,
agricultural and forest land owners to support the evaluation and
selection of BCAP project areas. BCAP project areas must include a
commitment to use local production; evidence of sufficient equity (if
the facility is not operational at time of proposal); anticipated
economic impacts; opportunities for local ownership; the participation
rate by beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers; the
impact on soil, water, and related resources; and the variety in
biomass production approaches. FSA will partner with RD, which has
capability and responsibility, including the potential for providing
funding for proposed biomass conversion facility, regarding BCAP
project area evaluation and selection. After BCAP project area
selection, FSA, acting on behalf of Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC),
may enter into contracts with BCAP project area producers for a term of
up to 5 years for annual and perennial crops and up to 15 years for
woody biomass.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
NPRM                            11/00/08
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Deirdre Holder, Director, Regulatory Review Group,
Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency, 1400 Independence
Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-0572
Phone: 202 205-5851
Fax: 202 720-5233
Email: deirdre.holder@wdc.usda.gov
RIN: 0560-AH92
_______________________________________________________________________
144. <bullet<ls-thn-eq> FARM LOAN PROGRAMS LOAN MAKING ACTIVITIES
Legal Authority: PL 110-246
Abstract: The proposed rule will implement the provisions of the 2008
Farm Bill that affect Farm Loan Programs (FLP) Loan Making Division
(LMD); there is discretion involved in
[[Page 71313]]
the implementation. The sections being implemented are; 5001, Direct
Loans, 5005, Beginning Farmer or Rancher and Socially Disadvantaged
farmer or Rancher Contract Land Sales Program Down Payment Loan
Program, 5101, Farming Experience as an Eligibility Requirement, 5201,
Eligibility of Equine Farmers and Ranchers for Emergency Loans, 5301,
Beginning Farmer and Rancher Individual Development Accounts Pilot
Program, 5501, Loans to Purchase Highly Fractionated Land. Required
changes are:
Any farm experience, without regard to time elapsing between farm
experiences, will be considered in determining whether a loan applicant
meets experience requirements for direct ownership loan eligibility.
The Beginning Farmer or Rancher and Socially Disadvantaged Farmer or
Rancher Contract Land Sales Program Down Payment Loan pilot program
initiated in the 2002 Farm Bill will be permanent. Program eligibility
is expanded to socially disadvantaged farmers in addition to beginning
farmers. The program is similar to the pilot but expands to provide a
guarantee of 90 percent of principal and interest in addition to the
prompt payment guarantee provided under the pilot. A transition period
is authorized but all changes must be in place for fiscal year 2011.
Any farm experience, no matter when it occurred, must be considered in
determining whether a loan applicant meets experience requirements for
direct operating loan eligibility.
For emergency disaster loans, the definition of a farmer or rancher
includes equine farmers or ranchers, making equine farmers and ranchers
potentially eligible for these loans.
A Beginning Farmer and Rancher Individual Development Accounts 5 year
pilot program will be established in at least 15 States. The program
entails FSA making grants to qualified non-profit organizations who
then deliver the program to eligible participants. Grantees must match
50 percent of the grant received. Under the program, qualified, low-
income beginning farmers or prospective beginning farmers would
establish saving accounts with a monthly deposit plan administered by
the grantees. The program funds match must the participants' deposits
at a minimum of 100 percent and a maximum of 200 percent. Participants
must use the savings account funds toward the purchase of farmland,
livestock, or similar farm start-up/operating expenses. The program
must be operated by and in conjunction with FSA farm loan programs. The
initial applications for the program must be approved no more than one
year after the law is enacted. The program is not mandatory; an
appropriation of up to $5 million annually is authorized to fund the
program.
Individual tribal members will be allowed to qualify for Indian Land
Acquisition loans.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
NPRM                            11/00/08
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Deirdre Holder, Director, Regulatory Review Group,
Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency, 1400 Independence
Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-0572
Phone: 202 205-5851
Fax: 202 720-5233
Email: deirdre.holder@wdc.usda.gov
RIN: 0560-AI03
_______________________________________________________________________
145. <bullet<ls-thn-eq> CONSERVATION LOAN GUARANTEE PROGRAM
Legal Authority: PL 110-246
Abstract: The proposed rule will implement the provisions of the 2008
Farm Bill that affect Farm Loan Programs (FLP) Loan Making Division
(LMD); there is discretion in how several of the provisions are
implemented. The section being implemented is 5002, Conservation Loan
and Loan Guarantee. Implementation of this provision will create a new
direct and guaranteed loan program direct at assisting farmers in
implementing conservation practices.
The rule establishes a new loan and loan guarantee program to finance
qualifying conservation projects. All guarantees will be at 75 percent
of the loan amount. The applicant must have an acceptable conservation
plan that includes the project(s) to be financed. Preference is given
to beginning farmer and socially disadvantaged applicants, conversion
to sustainable or organic production practices, and compliance with
highly erodible land conservation requirements. Eligibility for the
program is not restricted to those who cannot get credit elsewhere. The
program is not mandatory; appropriations are authorized.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
NPRM                            08/00/09
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Deirdre Holder, Director, Regulatory Review Group,
Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency, 1400 Independence
Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-0572
Phone: 202 205-5851
Fax: 202 720-5233
Email: deirdre.holder@wdc.usda.gov
RIN: 0560-AI04
_______________________________________________________________________
146. <bullet<ls-thn-eq> LOAN SERVICING; FARM LOAN PROGRAMS
Legal Authority: PL 110-246
Abstract: The 2008 Farm Bill requires several changes to the Farm
Service Agency (FSA) Farm Loan Program (FLP) loan servicing
regulations. The Agency proposes the following revisions: An overall
plan will be established to insure that borrowers can be transitioned
to private credit in the shortest timeframe practicable. At present,
FSA monitors the status of all borrowers to determine if graduation is
possible. The 2008 Farm Bill emphasizes this responsibility and insures
that FSA uses all the tools available to graduate borrowers to
commercial credit as soon as they can financially do so. In 2007, over
2,500 direct borrowers (about 3.7 percent of the portfolio) graduated
to commercial credit. The Agency believes graduation will continue in
the 3 to 5 percent range and is dependant on the overall farm economy.
The right of an FSA borrower-owner to purchase leased property under
Homestead Protection will be extended beyond the borrower-owner to the
immediate family. Currently, the Agency only has 38 properties in
Homestead Protection.
Acceleration and foreclosure will be suspended on borrowers who file a
claim of program discrimination against the Department or have a claim
pending. Interest accrual and offset will also be suspended during the
time of
[[Page 71314]]
moratorium. If the borrower does not prevail in the claim, the interest
which would have accrued during the moratorium will be due and offset
on the account will be reestablished.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
NPRM                            01/00/09
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Deirdre Holder, Director, Regulatory Review Group,
Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency, 1400 Independence
Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-0572
Phone: 202 205-5851
Fax: 202 720-5233
Email: deirdre.holder@wdc.usda.gov
RIN: 0560-AI05
BILLING CODE 3410--05--S
_______________________________________________________________________
Department of Agriculture (USDA)                    Proposed Rule Stage
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
_______________________________________________________________________
147. ANIMAL WELFARE; REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS FOR BIRDS
 Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 1 in part II of this issue of
the Federal Register.
RIN: 0579-AC02
_______________________________________________________________________
148. IMPORTATION OF PLANTS FOR PLANTING; ESTABLISHING A NEW CATEGORY OF
PLANTS FOR PLANTING NOT AUTHORIZED FOR IMPORTATION PENDING RISK
ASSESSMENT (RULEMAKING RESULTING FROM A SECTION 610 REVIEW)
 Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 2 in part II of this issue of
the Federal Register.
RIN: 0579-AC03
_______________________________________________________________________
149. TUBERCULOSIS IN CATTLE; IMPORT REQUIREMENTS FOR ROPING STEERS
Legal Authority: 7 USC 1622; 7 USC 8301 to 8317; 21 USC 136 and 136a;
31 USC 9701
Abstract: This rulemaking would amend the animal importation
regulations to require additional tuberculosis testing of steers and
spayed heifers that may be used as rodeo cattle. The current
regulations do not distinguish between steers and spayed heifers
imported as feeders from those to be used as rodeo cattle. Steers and
spayed heifers used as rodeo cattle are often maintained longer than
feeder cattle and generally come into contact with other cattle in more
locations than do steers and spayed heifers imported for feeding
purposes. The longer the lifespan of an animal, the greater the chances
are that, if exposed to tuberculosis, it will contract the disease,
develop generalized disease, and spread it to other animals. The risk
of tuberculosis spread is also increased by the number of animals that
are exposed to a tuberculosis-infected animal.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
Interim Final Rule              07/20/04                    69 FR 43283
Interim Final Rule Effective    08/19/04
Interim Final Rule Comment
Period End                      09/20/04
Interim Rule; Withdrawal        08/12/04                    69 FR 49783
Interim Rule; Withdrawal
Effective                       08/12/04
NPRM                            08/24/04                    69 FR 51960
NPRM Comment Period End         10/25/04
NPRM; Withdrawal and Reproposal 03/00/09
NPRM Comment Period End         05/00/09
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Francisco Collazo-Mattei, Assistant Director, Ruminant
Health Programs, National Center for Animal Health Programs, VS,
Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service,
4700 River Road, Unit 43, Riverdale, MD 20737
Phone: 301 734-6954
RIN: 0579-AC50
_______________________________________________________________________
150. BOVINE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY; IMPORTATION OF BOVINES AND BOVINE
PRODUCTS
 Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 3 in part II of this issue of
the Federal Register.
RIN: 0579-AC68
_______________________________________________________________________
151. HANDLING OF ANIMALS; CONTINGENCY PLANS
Legal Authority: 7 USC 2131 to 2159
Abstract: This rulemaking would amend the Animal Welfare Act
regulations to add requirements for contingency planning and training
of personnel by research facilities and by dealers, exhibitors,
intermediate handlers, and carriers. We are proposing these
requirements because we believe all licensees and registrants should
develop a contingency plan for all animals regulated under the Animal
Welfare Act in an effort to better prepare for potential disasters.
This action would heighten the awareness of licensees and registrants
regarding their responsibilities and help ensure a timely and
appropriate response should an emergency or disaster occur.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
NPRM                            10/23/08                    73 FR 63085
NPRM Comment Period End         12/22/08
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Jodie Kulpa-Eddy, Staff Veterinarian, Animal Care,
Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service,
4700 River Road, Unit 84, Riverdale, MD 20737
Phone: 301 734-7833
RIN: 0579-AC69
[[Page 71315]]
_______________________________________________________________________
Department of Agriculture (USDA)                       Final Rule Stage
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
_______________________________________________________________________
152. PHYTOSANITARY CERTIFICATES FOR IMPORTED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
Legal Authority: 7 USC 450; 7 USC 7701 to 7772; 7 USC 7781 to 7786; 21
USC 136 and 136a
Abstract: Currently APHIS does not require a phytosanitary certificate
to accompany fruits and vegetables imported into the United States
except for certain fruits and vegetables grown in designated foreign
regions. This rule will require that a phytosanitary certificate
accompany noncommercial consignments of fresh fruits and vegetables
imported into the United States by air passengers.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
NPRM                            08/29/01                    66 FR 45637
NPRM Comment Period End         10/29/01
NPRM; Availability of Risk
Assessment                      05/24/06                    71 FR 29846
NPRM; Availability of Risk
Assessment Comment Period End   07/24/06
Final Rule                      03/00/09
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Evelia Sosa, Senior Staff Officer, Quarantine Policy
Analysis and Support, PPQ, Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service, 4700 River Road, Unit 140, Riverdale, MD
20737-1236
Phone: 301 734-8295
RIN: 0579-AB18
_______________________________________________________________________
153. PHYTOPHTHORA RAMORUM; QUARANTINE AND REGULATIONS
Legal Authority: 7 USC 7701 to 7772; 7 USC 7781 to 7786
Abstract: This action will amend the Phytophthora ramorum regulations
to make the regulations consistent with a Federal Order issued by APHIS
in December 2004 that established restrictions on the interstate
movement of nursery stock from nurseries in nonquarantined counties in
California, Oregon, and Washington. This action will also update
conditions for the movement of regulated articles of nursery stock from
quarantined areas, as well as restrict the interstate movement of all
other nursery stock from nurseries in quarantined areas. We are also
updating the list of plants regulated because of P. ramorum and the
list of areas that are quarantined for P. ramorum and making other
miscellaneous revisions to the regulations. These actions are necessary
to prevent the spread of P. ramorum to noninfested areas of the United
States. We will continue to update the regulations through additional
rulemakings as new scientific information on this pathogen becomes
available.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
Interim Final Rule              02/27/07                     72 FR 8585
Interim Final Rule Effective    02/27/07
Interim Final Rule Comment
Period End                      04/30/07
Final Rule                      03/00/09
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Jonathan Jones, National Phytophthora Ramorum Program
Manager, Pest Detection and Management Programs, PPQ, Department of
Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, 4700 River
Road, Unit 160, Riverdale, MD 20737
Phone: 301 734-8247
RIN: 0579-AB82
_______________________________________________________________________
154. INTERSTATE MOVEMENT OF SHEEP AND GOATS; APPROVED LIVESTOCK
FACILITIES, IDENTIFICATION, AND RECORDKEEPING REQUIREMENTS
Legal Authority: 7 USC 8301 to 8317
Abstract: This rulemaking will amend the regulations regarding the
interstate movement of animals to require livestock facilities that
handle sheep or goats in interstate commerce to be approved by APHIS.
These will include stockyards, livestock markets, buying stations,
concentration points, or any other premises where sheep or goats in
interstate commerce are assembled. APHIS' approval will be contingent
on the facility operator meeting certain minimum standards and other
conditions relating to the receipt, handling, and release of sheep and
goats at the facility, as well as complying with certain animal
identification and recordkeeping requirements. The standards and other
conditions will be based, in part, on recently implemented regulations
relating to the interstate movement of sheep and goats in order to
control the spread of scrapie, a serious disease of sheep and goats.
This rule will provide for the establishment of standards for the
approval of livestock facilities that handle sheep or goats in
interstate commerce.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
NPRM                            08/26/04                    69 FR 52451
NPRM Comment Period End         10/25/04
Final Rule                      03/00/09
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Diane Sutton, Senior Staff Veterinarian, National
Center for Animal Health Programs, VS, Department of Agriculture,
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, 4700 River Road, Unit 43,
Riverdale, MD 20737-1235
Phone: 301 734-6954
RIN: 0579-AB84
_______________________________________________________________________
155. BOLL WEEVIL; QUARANTINE AND REGULATIONS
Legal Authority: 7 USC 7701 to 7772; 7 USC 7781 to 7786
Abstract: This action will establish domestic boll weevil regulations
that will restrict the interstate movement of regulated articles within
regulated areas and from regulated areas into or through nonregulated
areas in commercial cotton producing States. The regulations will help
prevent the artificial spread of boll weevil into noninfested areas of
the United States and the reinfestation of areas from which the boll
weevil has been eradicated.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
NPRM                            10/31/06                    71 FR 63707
NPRM Comment Period End         01/02/07
NPRM Comment Period Extended    12/20/06                    71 FR 76224
NPRM Comment Period End         02/01/07
Final Rule                      03/00/09
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: William Grefenstette, National Coordinator, Boll Weevil
Eradication Program, PPQ, Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant
[[Page 71316]]
Health Inspection Service, 4700 River Road, Unit 138, Riverdale, MD
20737
Phone: 301 734-8676
RIN: 0579-AB91
_______________________________________________________________________
156. STANDARDS FOR PERMANENT, PRIVATELY OWNED HORSE QUARANTINE
FACILITIES (SECTION 610 REVIEW)
Legal Authority: 7 USC 1622; 7 USC 8301 to 8317; 21 USC 136 and 136a;
31 USC 9701
Abstract: This rulemaking will establish standards for the approval of
permanent, privately owned quarantine facilities for horses. We are
taking this action because regional and seasonal demand for quarantine
services for horses often exceeds the space available at existing
facilities. Allowing imported horses to be quarantined in permanent,
privately owned quarantine facilities that meet these newly proposed
criteria facilitates the importation of horses while continuing to
protect against the introduction of communicable diseases of horses.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
NPRM                            12/13/06                    71 FR 74827
NPRM Comment Period End         02/12/07
Final Rule                      03/00/09
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Ellen Buck, Veterinary Medical Officer, Import/Export
Animals, National Center for Import and Export, VS, Department of
Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, 4700 River
Road, Unit 39, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231
Phone: 301 734-8364
RIN: 0579-AC00
_______________________________________________________________________
157. CITRUS CANKER; COMPENSATION FOR CERTIFIED CITRUS NURSERY STOCK
Legal Authority: 7 USC 7701 to 7772; 7 USC 7781 to 7786
Abstract: This rulemaking will establish provisions under which
eligible commercial citrus nurseries may, subject to the availability
of appropriated funds, receive payments for certified citrus nursery
stock destroyed to eradicate or control citrus canker. The payment of
these funds is necessary in order to reduce the economic effects on
affected commercial citrus nurseries that have had certified citrus
nursery stock destroyed to control citrus canker.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
Interim Final Rule              06/08/06                    71 FR 33168
Interim Final Rule Effective    06/08/06
Interim Final Rule Comment
Period End                      08/07/06
Affirmation of Interim Final
Rule                            12/00/08
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Stephen Poe, Senior Staff Officer, Emergency and
Domestic Programs, PPQ, Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service, 4700 River Road, Unit 137, Riverdale, MD
20737-1231
Phone: 301 734-4387
RIN: 0579-AC05
_______________________________________________________________________
158. CITRUS CANKER; QUARANTINE OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA
Legal Authority: 7 USC 7701 to 7772; 7 USC 7781 to 7786
Abstract: This action will amend the citrus canker regulations to list
the entire State of Florida as a quarantined area for citrus canker and
amend the requirements for the movement of regulated articles from
Florida now that the eradication of citrus canker in Florida is no
longer being carried out as an objective. It will also amend the
regulations to allow regulated articles that would not otherwise be
eligible for interstate movement to be moved to a port for immediate
export. These changes are necessary in light of the Department's
determination that the established eradication program was no longer a
scientifically feasible option to address citrus canker.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
Interim Final Rule              08/01/06                    71 FR 43345
Interim Final Rule Effective    08/01/06
Interim Final Rule Comment
Period End                      10/02/06
Technical Amendment             01/12/07                     72 FR 1415
Final Rule                      04/00/09
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Stephen Poe, Senior Staff Officer, Emergency and
Domestic Programs, PPQ, Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service, 4700 River Road, Unit 137, Riverdale, MD
20737-1231
Phone: 301 734-4387
RIN: 0579-AC07
_______________________________________________________________________
159. USER FEES; EXPORT CERTIFICATION FOR PLANTS AND PLANT PRODUCTS
Legal Authority: 7 USC 7701 to 7772; 7 USC 7781 to 7786; 7 USC 8301 to
8317; 21 USC 136 and 136a; 49 USC 80503
Abstract: This rulemaking will amend the user fee regulations by
adjusting the fees charged for export certification of plants and plant
products. We are increasing these user fees for fiscal years 2008
through 2012 to reflect the anticipated costs associated with providing
these services during each year. This action adds a new user fee for
Federal export certificates for plants and plant products that an
exporter obtains from a State or county cooperator in order to recover
our costs associated with that service. Finally, the action will make
several nonsubstantive changes to the regulations for clarity. These
changes will enable us to properly recover the costs of providing
export certification services for plants and plant products.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
NPRM                            06/12/07                    72 FR 32223
NPRM Comment Period End         08/13/07
Final Rule                      03/00/09
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Marcus McElvaine, Senior Import Specialist, PIM, PPQ,
Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service,
4700 River Road, Unit 140, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236
Phone: 301 734-4382
Kris Caraher, User Fee Section Head, Financial Management Division,
MRPBS, Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service, 4700 River Road, Unit 54, Riverdale, MD 20737-1232
Phone: 301 734-5901
RIN: 0579-AC22
[[Page 71317]]
_______________________________________________________________________
160. INTRODUCTION OF ORGANISMS AND PRODUCTS ALTERED OR PRODUCED THROUGH
GENETIC ENGINEERING
 Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 4 in part II of this issue of
the Federal Register.
RIN: 0579-AC31
_______________________________________________________________________
161. IMPORTATION OF POULTRY AND POULTRY PRODUCTS FROM REGIONS AFFECTED
WITH HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA
Legal Authority: 7 USC 1622; 7 USC 8301 to 8317; 21 USC 136 and 136a
Abstract: This rulemaking will amend the regulations concerning the
importation of animals and animal products to prohibit or restrict the
importation of birds, poultry, and bird and poultry products from
regions that have reported the presence in commercial birds or poultry
of highly pathogenic avian influenza other than subtype H5N1. This
action will supplement existing prohibitions and restrictions on
articles from regions that have reported the presence of exotic
Newcastle disease or highly pathogenic avian influenza subtype H5N1.
The new restrictions will be almost identical to those imposed on
articles from regions with exotic Newcastle disease.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
Interim Final Rule              03/00/09
Interim Final Rule Comment
Period End                      05/00/09
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Julia Punderson, Senior Staff Veterinarian, NCIE,
Animal Health Policy and Programs, VS, Department of Agriculture,
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, 4700 River Road, Unit 38,
Riverdale, MD 20737
Phone: 301 734-4356
RIN: 0579-AC36
_______________________________________________________________________
162. CITRUS CANKER; INTERSTATE MOVEMENT OF REGULATED NURSERY STOCK FROM
QUARANTINED AREAS
Legal Authority: 7 USC 7701 to 7772; 7 USC 7781 to 7786
Abstract: This rulemaking will amend the citrus canker quarantine
regulations to explicitly prohibit, with limited exceptions, the
interstate movement of regulated nursery stock from a quarantined area
and remove calamondin plants from a protocol allowing the limited
interstate movement of calamondin and kumquat plants. The interstate
movement of regulated nursery stock from an area quarantined for citrus
canker poses a high risk of spreading citrus canker outside the
quarantined area. This action is necessary to clarify our regulations
and to address the risk associated with the interstate movement of
regulated nursery stock from areas quarantined for citrus canker.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
Interim Final Rule              03/22/07                    72 FR 13423
Interim Final Rule Effective    03/16/07
Interim Final Rule Comment
Period End                      05/21/07
Comment Period Extended         05/23/07                    72 FR 28827
Comment Period End              06/11/07
Comment Period Reopened         01/29/08                     73 FR 5085
Comment Period End              02/28/08
Final Rule                      11/00/08
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Stephen Poe, Senior Staff Officer, Emergency and
Domestic Programs, PPQ, Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service, 4700 River Road, Unit 137, Riverdale, MD
20737-1231
Phone: 301 734-4387
RIN: 0579-AC38
_______________________________________________________________________
163. IMPORT/EXPORT USER FEES
Legal Authority: 5 USC 5542; 7 USC 1622; 7 USC 8301 to 8317; 21 USC 136
and 136a; 31 USC 3701; 31 USC 3716 and 3717; 31 USC 3719; 31 USC 3720A
Abstract: This rulemaking would amend the regulations concerning user
fees for import- and export-related services that we provide for
animals, animal products, birds, germplasm, organisms, and vectors. We
are proposing increases in those fees for fiscal years 2009 through
2013 in order to ensure that the fees accurately reflect the
anticipated costs of providing these services each year. By publishing
the annual user fee changes in advance, users can incorporate the fees
into their budget planning. The user fees pay for the actual cost of
providing these services.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
NPRM                            06/04/08                    73 FR 31771
NPRM Comment Period End         08/04/08
Final Rule                      03/00/09
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Inez Hockaday, Director, Management Support Staff, VS,
Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service,
4700 River Road, Unit 44, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231
Phone: 301 734-7517
Kris Caraher, User Fee Section Head, Financial Management Division,
MRPBS, Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service, 4700 River Road, Unit 54, Riverdale, MD 20737-1232
Phone: 301 734-5901
RIN: 0579-AC59
_______________________________________________________________________
164. IMPORTATION OF CATTLE FROM MEXICO; ADDITION OF PORT AT SAN LUIS,
ARIZONA
Legal Authority: 7 USC 1622; 7 USC 8301 to 8317; 21 USC 136 and 136a;
31 USC 9701
Abstract: This rulemaking will amend the regulations regarding the
importation of cattle from Mexico by adding San Luis, AZ, as a port
through which cattle that have been infested with fever ticks or
exposed to fever ticks or tick-borne diseases may be imported into the
United States. A new facility for the handling of animals is to be
constructed on the Mexican side of the border at the port of San Luis,
AZ, that will be equipped with facilities necessary for the proper
chute inspection, dipping, and testing that are required for such
cattle under the regulations. The rule will also amend the regulations
to remove provisions that limit the admission of cattle that have been
infested with fever ticks or exposed to fever ticks or tick-borne
diseases to the State of Texas. The statutory requirement that limited
the admission of those cattle to the State of Texas has been repealed.
These
[[Page 71318]]
changes make an additional port of entry available and relieve
restrictions on the movement of imported Mexican cattle within the
United States.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
NPRM                            01/29/08                     73 FR 5132
NPRM Comment Period End         03/31/08
Final Rule                      11/00/08
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Betzaida Lopez, Staff Veterinarian, National Center for
Import and Export, VS, Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service, 4700 River Road, Unit 39, Riverdale, MD
20737-1231
Phone: 301 734-8364
RIN: 0579-AC63
_______________________________________________________________________
165. REVISION OF REGULATIONS FOR THE MOVEMENT OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
FROM HAWAII AND U.S. TERRITORIES INTO THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES
Legal Authority: 7 USC 7701 to 7772; 7 USC 7781 to 7786; 21 USC 136 and
136a
Abstract: This rulemaking would revise and reorganize the regulations
pertaining to the interstate movement of fruits and vegetables to
consolidate requirements of general applicability and eliminate
redundant requirements, update terms and remove outdated requirements
and references, and make various editorial and nonsubstantive changes
to the regulations to make them easier to use. We are also proposing to
make substantive changes to the regulations including: Establishing
criteria within the regulations that, if met, would allow us to approve
certain new fruits and vegetables for interstate movement in the United
States and to acknowledge pest-free areas in Hawaii and U.S.
territories expeditiously; and doing away with the practice of listing
in the regulations specific commodities as regulated articles. These
changes are intended to simplify and expedite our processes for
approving certain regulated articles for interstate movement and pest-
free areas while continuing to allow for public participation in the
processes. This proposal, if adopted, would not allow for the
interstate movement of any specific new fruits or vegetables, nor would
it alter the conditions for interstate movement of currently approved
fruits or vegetables except as specifically described in this document.
These changes would make our domestic interstate movement regulations
more consistent with our fruits and vegetables import regulations. The
changes would not alter the manner in which the risk associated with a
regulated article interstate movement request is evaluated, nor would
it alter the manner in which those risks are ultimately mitigated.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
NPRM                            06/17/08                    73 FR 34202
NPRM Comment Period End         08/18/08
Final Rule                      03/00/09
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: David B. Lamb, Import Specialist, Commodity Import
Analysis and Operations, PPQ, Department of Agriculture, Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service, 4700 River Road, Unit 133, Riverdale,
MD 20737-1236
Phone: 301 734-8758
RIN: 0579-AC70
_______________________________________________________________________
166. LIGHT BROWN APPLE MOTH QUARANTINE
Legal Authority: 7 USC 7701 to 7772; 7 USC 7781 to 7786
Abstract: We are quarantining 9 counties in California and the entire
State of Hawaii because of the light brown apple moth and restricting
the interstate movement of regulated articles from the quarantined
areas. This action is necessary on an emergency basis to prevent the
spread of the light brown apple moth into noninfested areas of the
United States.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
Interim Final Rule              12/00/08
Interim Final Rule Comment
Period End                      02/00/09
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Deborah McPartlan, Staff Officer, Emergency and
Domestic Programs, PPQ, Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service, 4700 River Road, Unit 134, Riverdale, MD
20737-1236
Phone: 301 734-5356
RIN: 0579-AC71
_______________________________________________________________________
167. VIRAL HEMORRHAGIC SEPTICEMIA; INTERSTATE MOVEMENT AND IMPORT
RESTRICTIONS ON CERTAIN LIVE FISH
Legal Authority: 7 USC 1622; 7 USC 8301 to 8317; 21 USC 136 and 136a;
31 USC 9701
Abstract: This rulemaking will establish regulations to restrict the
interstate movement and importation into the United States of live fish
that are susceptible to viral hemorrhagic septicemia, a highly
contagious disease of certain fresh and saltwater fish. In 2005 and
2006, viral hemorrhagic septicemia was detected in freshwater fish in
several of the Great Lakes and related tributaries. The disease has
been responsible for several large-scale die-offs of wild fish in the
Great Lakes region. This action is necessary to prevent further
introductions into, and dissemination within, the United States of
viral hemorrhagic septicemia.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
Interim Final Rule (IFR)        09/09/08                    73 FR 63867
IFR; Delay of Effective Date    10/28/08
Interim Final Rule Comment
Period End                      11/10/08
Interim Final Rule Effective    01/09/09
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: P. Gary Egrie, Senior Staff Veterinary Medical Officer,
National Center for Animal Health Programs, VS, Department of
Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, 4700 River
Road, Unit 46, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231
Phone: 301 734-6188
Peter Merrill, Senior Staff Veterinarian, National Center for Import
and Export, VS, Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service, 4700 River Road, Unit 39, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231
Phone: 301 734-8364
RIN: 0579-AC74
[[Page 71319]]
_______________________________________________________________________
168. <bullet<ls-thn-eq> CITRUS GREENING AND ASIAN CITRUS PSYLLID;
QUARANTINE AND INTERSTATE MOVEMENT REGULATIONS
Legal Authority: 7 USC 7701 to 7772; 7 USC 7781 to 7786; 21 USC 136 and
136a
Abstract: This rulemaking will establish regulations that designate the
State of Florida and one parish in Louisiana as quarantined areas for
citrus greening, and Florida, Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, 8 parishes in
Louisiana, and 32 counties in Texas as quarantined areas for Asian
citrus psyllid, a vector of a bacterium that causes citrus greening. It
would also establish restrictions on the interstate movement of
regulated articles from the quarantined areas, as well as treatments
under which Asian citrus psyllid host material may be moved interstate
from a quarantined area. These actions follow the discovery of citrus
greening and/or Asian citrus psyllid in the quarantined areas, and are
necessary in order to prevent the spread of the disease and its vector
to noninfested areas of the United States.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
Interim Final Rule              03/00/09
Interim Final Rule Comment
Period End                      05/00/09
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Stephen Poe, Senior Staff Officer, Emergency and
Domestic Programs, PPQ, Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service, 4700 River Road, Unit 137, Riverdale, MD
20737-1231
Phone: 301 734-4387
RIN: 0579-AC85
_______________________________________________________________________
169. <bullet<ls-thn-eq> SIREX WOODWASP; QUARANTINE AND REGULATIONS
Legal Authority: 7 USC 7701 to 7772; 7 USC 7781 to 7786; 21 USC 136 to
136a
Abstract: This rulemaking will quarantine counties in Michigan, New
Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Vermont because of the Sirex
woodwasp and establish restrictions on the interstate movement of
regulated articles from these quarantined areas. This action is
necessary on an emergency basis to prevent the artificial spread of
this plant pest to noninfested areas of the United States.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
Interim Final Rule              11/00/08
Interim Final Rule Comment
Period End                      01/00/09
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Lynn Evans-Goldner, Department of Agriculture, Animal
and Plant Health Inspection Service, 4700 River Road, Unit 137,
Riverdale, MD 20737-1231
Phone: 301 734-7228
RIN: 0579-AC86
_______________________________________________________________________
Department of Agriculture (USDA)                      Long-Term Actions
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
_______________________________________________________________________
170. PLANT PEST REGULATIONS; UPDATE OF CURRENT PROVISIONS (SECTION 610
REVIEW)
Legal Authority: 7 USC 450; 7 USC 7711 to 7772; 7 USC 7781 to 7786; 7
USC 8301 to 8317; 21 USC 136 and 136a; 31 USC 9701
Abstract: APHIS plans to amend its plant pest regulations to align them
more closely with the Plant Protection Act and to update them in
response to advances in science and technology and our accumulated
experiences in implementing the regulations.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
ANPRM                           09/27/96                    61 FR 50767
ANPRM Comment Period End        12/26/96
NPRM                            10/09/01                    66 FR 51340
NPRM Comment Period End         02/06/02
Withdrawal and Reproposal        To Be                       Determined
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined
Agency Contact: Robert Flanders
Phone: 301 734-5930
RIN: 0579-AA80
_______________________________________________________________________
171. ANIMAL WELFARE: MARINE MAMMALS; NONCONSENSUS LANGUAGE AND
INTERACTIVE PROGRAMS (RULEMAKING RESULTING FROM A SECTION 610 REVIEW)
Legal Authority: 7 USC 2131 to 2159
Abstract: The U.S. Department of Agriculture regulates the humane
handling, care, treatment, and transportation of certain marine mammals
under the Animal Welfare Act. The present standards for these animals
have been in effect since 1979, and amended in 1984. During this time,
advances have been made and new information has been developed with
regard to the housing and care of marine mammals. This rulemaking
addresses marine mammal standards on which consensus was not reached
during negotiated rulemaking conducted between September 1995 and July
1996. These include standards affecting variances, indoor facilities,
outdoor facilities, space requirements, and water quality, as well as
swim-with-the-dolphin programs. These actions appear necessary to
ensure that the minimum standards for the humane handling, care,
treatment, and transportation of marine mammals in captivity are based
on current general, industry, and scientific knowledge and experience.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
ANPRM                           05/30/02                    67 FR 37731
ANPRM Comment Period End        07/29/02
NPRM                             To Be                       Determined
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Barbara Kohn
Phone: 301 734-7833
RIN: 0579-AB24
_______________________________________________________________________
172. FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE; PAYMENT OF INDEMNITY
Legal Authority: 7 USC 8301 to 8317
Abstract: This rule would amend the regulations for the cooperative
control and eradication of foot-and-mouth
[[Page 71320]]
disease (FMD) and other serious diseases, including both cooperative
programs and extraordinary emergencies. The purpose of this rule is to
remove possible sources of delay in eradicating foot-and-mouth disease,
should an occurrence of that disease occur in this country, so that
eligible claimants will be fully compensated while at the same time
protecting the U.S. livestock population from the further spread of
this highly contagious disease.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
NPRM                            05/01/02                    67 FR 21934
NPRM Comment Period Extended    06/28/02                    67 FR 43566
NPRM Comment Period End         07/01/02
NPRM Comment Period End         07/31/02
Next Action Undetermined
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Mark Teachman
Phone: 301 734-8073
RIN: 0579-AB34
_______________________________________________________________________
173. TUBERCULOSIS IN CATTLE; IMPORT REQUIREMENTS (SECTION 610 REVIEW)
Legal Authority: 7 USC 1622; 7 USC 8301 to 8317; 21 USC 136 and 136a;
31 USC 9701
Abstract: This rulemaking would amend the regulations regarding the
importation of animals into the United States to establish several
levels of risk classifications to be applied to foreign regions with
regard to tuberculosis and to establish requirements governing the
importation of cattle and captive bison based on each risk
classification. These changes are necessary to help ensure that cattle
and captive bison infected with tuberculosis are not imported into the
United States.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
NPRM                             To Be                       Determined
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Kelly Rhodes
Phone: 301 734-4356
RIN: 0579-AB44
_______________________________________________________________________
174. BOVINE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY; MINIMAL-RISK REGIONS AND
IMPORTATION OF COMMODITIES; UNSEALING OF MEANS OF CONVEYANCE AND
TRANSLOADING OF PRODUCTS
Legal Authority: 7 USC 450; 7 USC 1622; 7 USC 7701 to 7772; 7 USC 7781
to 7786; 7 USC 8301 to 8317; 21 USC 136 and 136a; 31 USC 9701; 42 USC
4331 and 4332
Abstract: In a final rule published in the Federal Register on January
4, 2005, we amended the regulations regarding the importation of
animals and animal products to establish a category of regions that
present a minimal risk of introducing bovine spongiform encephalopathy
into the United States via live ruminants and ruminant products and
byproducts, and added Canada to this category. We also established
conditions for the importation of certain live ruminants and ruminant
products and byproducts from such regions. This rule will amend the
regulations to broaden who is authorized to break seals on means of
conveyances carrying certain ruminants of Canadian origin.
Additionally, it will amend the regulations regarding the transiting
through the United States of certain ruminant products from Canada to
allow for direct transloading of the products from one means of
conveyance to another in the United States under Federal supervision.
These actions will contribute to the humane treatment of ruminants
shipped to the United States from Canada and remove an impediment to
international trade, without increasing the risk of the BSE disease
agent entering the United States.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
Interim Final Rule              11/28/05                    70 FR 71213
Interim Final Rule Comment
Period End                      01/27/06
Final Rule                       To Be                       Determined
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Karen A. James-Preston
Phone: 301 734-4356
RIN: 0579-AB97
_______________________________________________________________________
175. NATIONAL VETERINARY ACCREDITATION PROGRAM (RULEMAKING RESULTING
FROM A SECTION 610 REVIEW)
Legal Authority: 7 USC 8301 to 8317; 15 USC 1828
Abstract: This rulemaking will amend the regulations regarding the
National Veterinary Accreditation Program to establish two
accreditation categories in place of the current single category, to
add requirements for supplemental training and renewal of
accreditation, and to offer accreditation specializations. These
changes are intended to support the Agency's animal health safeguarding
initiatives, to involve accredited veterinarians in integrated
surveillance activities, and to make the provisions governing our
National Veterinary Accreditation Program more uniform and consistent.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
NPRM                            06/01/06                    71 FR 31109
NPRM Comment Period End         07/31/06
Supplemental NPRM               02/27/07                     72 FR 8634
Supplemental NPRM Comment Period
End                             04/30/07
Final Rule                       To Be                       Determined
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No
Agency Contact: Todd Behre
Phone: 301 734-6188
RIN: 0579-AC04
_______________________________________________________________________
176. AGRICULTURAL INSPECTION AND AQI USER FEES ALONG THE U.S./CANADA
BORDER
Legal Authority: 7 USC 450; 7 USC 7701 to 7772; 7 USC 7781 to 7786; 7
USC 8301 to 8317; 21 USC 136 and 136a; 49 USC 80503
Abstract: This action will amend the foreign quarantine and user fee
regulations by removing the exemptions from inspection for fruits and
vegetables grown in Canada and the exemptions from user fees for
commercial vessels, commercial trucks, commercial railroad cars,
commercial aircraft, and international air passengers entering the
United States from Canada. As a result of this action, all agricultural
products imported from Canada will be subject to inspection, and
commercial conveyances, as well as airline passengers arriving on
flights
[[Page 71321]]
from Canada, will be subject to inspection and user fees. We are taking
this action in part because we are not recovering the costs of our
current inspection activities at the U.S./Canada border. In addition,
our data show an increasing number of interceptions on the U.S./Canada
border of prohibited material that originated in regions other than
Canada that presents a high risk of introducing plant pests or animal
diseases into the United States. These findings, combined with
additional Canadian airport preclearance data on interceptions of
ineligible agricultural products approaching the U.S. border from
Canada, strongly indicate that we need to expand and strengthen our
pest exclusion and smuggling interdiction efforts at that border. In
order to do this and to recover the costs of our existing inspection
activity, we need to collect user fees from commercial conveyances and
international air passengers entering the United States from Canada.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
Interim Final Rule              08/25/06                    71 FR 50320
Interim Final Rule Comment
Period End                      11/24/06
Interim Final Rule Effective    11/24/06
Delay of Effective Date         11/22/06                    71 FR 67436
Delay of Effective Date         02/26/07                     72 FR 8261
Next Action Undetermined
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Alan S. Green
Phone: 301 734-8261
RIN: 0579-AC06
_______________________________________________________________________
177. MINIMUM AGE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE TRANSPORT OF ANIMALS
Legal Authority: 7 USC 2131 to 2159
Abstract: This rulemaking would amend the Animal Welfare Act
regulations by adding minimum age and weaning requirements for the
transport in commerce of animals. The regulations currently contain
such requirements for dogs and cats, but no corresponding ones for
other regulated animals, despite the risks associated with the early
transport of these species. The rule would also provide an exemption to
allow animals to be transported without their mothers for medical
treatment and for scientific research before reaching the minimum age
and weaning requirement, provided certain conditions are met.
Establishing minimum age requirements for the transport of animals and
providing for the transport of animals that have not met the minimum
age requirements are necessary to help ensure the humane treatment of
these animals.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
NPRM                            05/09/08                    73 FR 26344
NPRM Comment Period End         07/08/08
NPRM Comment Period Reopened    07/31/08                    73 FR 44671
NPRM Comment Period Extended    09/02/08
Next Action Undetermined
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Barbara Kohn
Phone: 301 734-7833
RIN: 0579-AC14
_______________________________________________________________________
178. ANIMAL WELFARE; CLIMATIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS FOR
TRANSPORTATION OF WARMBLOODED ANIMALS OTHER THAN MARINE MAMMALS
Legal Authority: 7 USC 2131 to 2159
Abstract: This rulemaking would amend the Animal Welfare Act
regulations regarding transportation of live animals other than marine
mammals by removing the current ambient temperature requirements for
various stages in the transportation of those animals. The action would
replace those requirements with a single performance standard under
which the animals would be transported under climatic and environmental
conditions that are appropriate for their welfare. The regulations
currently require that ambient temperatures be maintained within
certain ranges during transportation, but animals may be transported at
ambient temperatures below the minimum temperatures if their consignor
provides a certificate signed by a veterinarian certifying that the
animals are acclimated to temperatures lower than the minimum
temperature. This proposal would make acclimation certificates for live
animals other than marine mammals unnecessary. This rule would replace
a previously published proposed rule, which we are withdrawing as part
of this document, that would have required that the acclimation
certificate for a dog or cat be signed by the owner of the dog or cat
being transported rather than by a veterinarian. This rulemaking does
not address marine mammals due to their unique requirements for care
and handling. We believe that establishing a single performance
standard would ensure that warmblooded animals other than marine
mammals are transported in climatic and environmental conditions that
are not detrimental to their welfare while allowing for variations in
climatic and environmental conditions that are suitable for individual
animals.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
NPRM                            01/03/08                      73 FR 413
NPRM Comment Period End         03/03/08
NPRM Comment Period Reopened    03/18/08                    73 FR 14403
NPRM Comment Period End         04/17/08
Next Action Undetermined
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Jerry D. DePoyster
Phone: 301 734-7586
RIN: 0579-AC41
_______________________________________________________________________
179. BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS
Legal Authority: 7 USC 8301 to 8317
Abstract: This rulemaking would amend the bovine tuberculosis
regulations by removing from incorporation by reference the Bovine
Tuberculosis Eradication Uniform Methods and Rules, 1999, and including
in 9 CFR part 77 all Federal requirements. We are also proposing a
number of substantive changes to the requirements in order to enhance
our bovine tuberculosis eradication efforts. The proposed changes
include, but are not limited to, tightening certain tuberculosis
surveillance and reporting requirements; strengthening the quarantine
and quarantine-release requirements; setting minimum testing ages,
depending upon the status of the State or zone of origin and/or the
purpose of movement, when testing is required for interstate movement
of cattle and bison; adding new requirements to prevent the spread of
tuberculosis from wildlife to cattle and bison; adding new requirements
for interstate movement of dairy cattle; strengthening the requirements
for
[[Page 71322]]
individual cattle and bison that are to be added to accredited herds;
and providing for the interstate movement of commuter herds. Finally,
we would reorganize 9 CFR part 77 to make the regulations clearer and
easier to use.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
NPRM                             To Be                       Determined
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Charles W. Hench
Phone: 970 494-7378
RIN: 0579-AC73
_______________________________________________________________________
Department of Agriculture (USDA)                      Completed Actions
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
_______________________________________________________________________
180. TRICHINAE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
Legal Authority: 7 USC 8301 to 8317; 7 USC 1622; 15 USC 1828; 21 USC
136a
Abstract: This action will amend the regulations to establish a
voluntary Trichinae Certification Program for U.S. pork that has been
produced under disease-prevention conditions. Under the program, we
will certify pork production sites that follow prescribed good
production practices that reduce, eliminate, or avoid the risk of
exposure of swine to zoonotic parasites of the genus Trichinella. Such
a program should enhance the ability of producers to export pork and
pork products to overseas markets. This program has been developed as a
cooperative effort by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the National
Pork Board, and the pork processing industry. This program will include
those producers who choose to participate in the program, as well as
slaughter facilities and other persons that handle or process swine
from pork production sites that have been certified under the program.
Completed:
________________________________________________________________________
Reason                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
Final Action                    10/10/08                    73 FR 60464
Final Action Effective          11/10/08
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Dave Pyburn
Phone: 515 284-4122
RIN: 0579-AB92
_______________________________________________________________________
181. SPECIAL NEED REQUESTS UNDER THE PLANT PROTECTION ACT
Legal Authority: 7 USC 7701 to 7772; 7 USC 7781 to 7786
Abstract: This action will amend our domestic quarantine regulations to
establish a process by which a State or political subdivision of a
State could request approval to impose prohibitions or restrictions on
the movement in interstate commerce of specific articles that are in
addition to the prohibitions and restrictions imposed by the Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service. The Plant Protection Act provides that
States or political subdivisions of States may make such special need
requests, but there are currently no procedures in place for their
submission or consideration. This action will establish a process by
which States may make a special need request.
Completed:
________________________________________________________________________
Reason                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
Final Action                    10/23/08                    73 FR 63060
Final Action Effective          11/24/08
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Osama El-Lissy
Phone: 301 734-5459
RIN: 0579-AB98
BILLING CODE 3410--34--S
_______________________________________________________________________
Department of Agriculture (USDA)                       Final Rule Stage
Rural Housing Service (RHS)
_______________________________________________________________________
182. GUARANTEED SINGLE-FAMILY HOUSING
Legal Authority: 5 USC 301; 7 USC 1989; 42 USC 1480
Abstract: The Guaranteed Single-Family Housing program will provide
better clarity and consistency within the program. The action is taken
to update the regulations to current mortgage industry standards and
provide more guidance on program oversight and monitoring.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
NPRM                            12/15/99                    64 FR 70124
NPRM Comment Period End         02/14/00
Final Action                    01/00/09
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Joaquin Tremols, Acting Director, Single-Family Housing
Guaranteed Loan Division, Department of Agriculture, Rural Housing
Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250
Phone: 202 720-1465
Fax: 202 205-2476
Email: joaquin.tremols@wdc.usda.gov
RIN: 0575-AC18
BILLING CODE 3410--XV--S
[[Page 71323]]
_______________________________________________________________________
Department of Agriculture (USDA)                    Proposed Rule Stage
Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)
_______________________________________________________________________
183. <bullet<ls-thn-eq> FEDERAL-STATE INTERSTATE SHIPMENT COOPERATIVE
INSPECTION PROGRAM
 Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 14 in part II of this issue of
the Federal Register.
RIN: 0583-AD37
_______________________________________________________________________
Department of Agriculture (USDA)                       Final Rule Stage
Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)
_______________________________________________________________________
184. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF PROCESSED MEAT AND
POULTRY PRODUCTS; CONTROL OF LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES IN READY-TO-EAT MEAT
AND POULTRY PRODUCTS
 Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 15 in part II of this issue of
the Federal Register.
RIN: 0583-AC46
_______________________________________________________________________
Department of Agriculture (USDA)                      Completed Actions
Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)
_______________________________________________________________________
185. AVAILABILITY OF LISTS OF RETAIL CONSIGNEES DURING MEAT OR POULTRY
PRODUCT RECALLS
Legal Authority: 5 USC 301, 552
Abstract: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has proposed to
amend the Federal meat and poultry products inspection regulations to
provide that the Agency will make available to the public lists of the
retail consignees of meat and poultry products that have been
voluntarily recalled by a federally inspected meat or poultry products
establishment. FSIS has proposed this action because it believes that
making this information available will be of significant value to
consumers and the industry. It will clarify what products should be
removed from commerce and from consumers' possession because there is
reason to believe they are adulterated or misbranded.
Completed:
________________________________________________________________________
Reason                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
Final Action                    07/17/08                    73 FR 40939
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Philip Derfler
Phone: 202 720-2709
Fax: 202 720-2025
Email: philip.derfler@fsis.usda.gov
RIN: 0583-AD10
BILLING CODE 3410--DM--S
_______________________________________________________________________
Department of Agriculture (USDA)                       Final Rule Stage
Forest Service (FS)
_______________________________________________________________________
186. SPECIAL AREAS; STATE-SPECIFIC INVENTORIED ROADLESS AREA MANAGEMENT:
COLORADO
 Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 19 in part II of this issue of
the Federal Register.
RIN: 0596-AC74
BILLING CODE 3410--11--S
[[Page 71324]]
_______________________________________________________________________
Department of Agriculture (USDA)                    Proposed Rule Stage
Office of the Secretary (AgSEC)
_______________________________________________________________________
187. VOLUNTARY LABELING PROGRAM FOR DESIGNATED BIOBASED PRODUCTS
Legal Authority: PL 110-246
Abstract: The purpose of the program is to provide a ``USDA Certified
Biobased Product'' label for use on biobased products meeting certain
criteria to be established in the proposed rule, to specify those
criteria for gaining use of the label, establish a system to make the
label available to manufacturers and vendors of biobased products, and
to establish the labeling program.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
NPRM                            03/00/09
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Shana Love, Department of Agriculture, Office of the
Assistant Secretary for Administration, Room 209A Whitten Bldg., 1400
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250
Phone: 202 205-4008
Email: biopreferred@usda.gov
RIN: 0503-AA35
_______________________________________________________________________
188. DESIGNATION OF BIOBASED ITEMS FOR FEDERAL PROCUREMENT, ROUND 7
Legal Authority: PL 110-246
Abstract: Designates bath products; concrete and asphalt cleaners,
including microbial and non-microbial concrete and asphalt cleaners as
subcategories; corrosion removers; dishwashing detergents; floor
cleaners and protectors; hair cleaning products, including shampoos and
conditioners as subcategories; microbial cleaners; oven and grill
cleaners; slide way lubricants; and thermal shipping containers,
including durable and non-durable thermal shipping containers as
subcategories.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
NPRM                            03/00/09
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Shana Love, Department of Agriculture, Office of the
Assistant Secretary for Administration, Room 209A Whitten Bldg., 1400
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250
Phone: 202 205-4008
Email: biopreferred@usda.gov
RIN: 0503-AA36
BILLING CODE 3410--90--S
_______________________________________________________________________
Department of Agriculture (USDA)                    Proposed Rule Stage
Rural Business--Cooperative Service (RBS)
_______________________________________________________________________
189. <bullet<ls-thn-eq> RENEWABLE ENERGY--CLARIFY REQUIREMENTS FOR
CONSTRUCTION/DEVELOPMENT OF ENERGY PROGRAM PROJECTS (RULEMAKING
RESULTING FROM A SECTION 610 REVIEW)
Legal Authority: 5 USC 301; 7 USC 1989; 42 USC 1480
Abstract: The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (Agency) is amending
its regulation for clarity. This regulation provides financial
assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for the
purpose of purchasing and installing renewable energy systems and
energy efficiency improvements in rural areas. Financial assistance to
any single entity may be provided as a direct loan, guaranteed loan or
grant, or a combination of a loan and grant. The current regulations
were implemented in July of 2005. In reviewing the program, it has
become evident that some of the language in the existing regulation was
misinterpreted by field offices and applicants. With a relatively new
program like this, it takes some time to get applications completed and
the program reviewed before one realizes the need for corrections to
Instruction language.
Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________
Action                            Date                      FR Cite
________________________________________________________________________
NPRM                            06/00/09
NPRM Comment Period End         08/00/09
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No
Agency Contact: Larry Fleming, Senior Architect, Department of
Agriculture, STOP 0761, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC
20250
Phone: 202 720-8547
Fax: 202 690-4335
Email: larry.fleming@wdc.usda.gov
RIN: 0570-AA69
[FR Doc. E8-21222 Filed 11-21-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-S