Document headings vary by document type but may contain
                    the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document
the number of the CFR title and the number of each part
                      the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly
                      related to
the agency docket number / agency internal file number
the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in
                      the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory
                      Actions See the
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                    for more details.
 Department of Agriculture Office of the Secretary 2 CFR Subtitle B, Ch. IV
5 CFR Ch. LXXIII
7 CFR Subtitle A; Subtitle B, Chs. I-XI, XIV-XVIII, XX, XXV-XXXVIII, XLII
9 CFR Chs. I-III
36 CFR Ch. II
48 CFR Ch. 4
 AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, USDA.
 ACTION: Semiannual regulatory agenda.
 SUMMARY: This agenda provides summary descriptions of the significant and not significant regulatory and deregulatory actions being developed in agencies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in conformance with Executive Orders (E.O.) 12866 “Regulatory Planning and Review,” 13771 “Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs,” 13777, “Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda,” and 13563, “Improving Regulation and Regulatory 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 as well as any regulation consistent with Executive Order 13563. 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 regulatory and deregulatory actions are summarized in a Statement of Regulatory Priorities that is 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) 720-3257. Dated: September 10, 2020. Michael Poe, Legislative and Regulatory Staff.
 Agricultural Marketing Service—Final Rule Stage
Sequence No.
Title
Regulation
                                     Identifier No.130
NOP; Strengthening Organic Enforcement
0581-AD09131
Undue and Unreasonable Preferences and Advantages Under the Packers and Stockyards Act
0581-AD81132
Establishment of a Domestic Hemp Production Program (
                                    **Reg Plan Seq No. 1**
                                    )
0581-AD82References in boldface appear in The Regulatory Plan in part II of this issue of the 
                                **Federal Register**
                                .
 Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service—Proposed Rule Stage
Sequence No.
Title
Regulation
                                     Identifier No.133
Handling of Animals; Contingency Plans
0579-AC69134
Requiring Microchipping, Verifiable Signatures, Government Official Endorsement, and Mandatory Forms for Importation of Live Dogs
0579-AE58
 Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service—Final Rule Stage
Sequence No.
Title
Regulation
                                     Identifier No.135
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy and Scrapie; Importation of Small Ruminants and Their Germplasm, Products, and Byproducts
0579-AD10136
National List of Reportable Animal Diseases
0579-AE39137
Removal of Emerald Ash Borer Domestic Quarantine Regulations
0579-AE42
 Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service—Long-Term Actions
Sequence No.
Title
Regulation
                                     Identifier No.138
Importation of Fresh Citrus Fruit From the Republic of South Africa Into the Continental United States
0579-AD95
 
 
 Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service—Completed Actions
Sequence No.
Title
Regulation
                                     Identifier No.139
Brucellosis and Bovine Tuberculosis; Update of Import Provisions
0579-AD65140
Importation, Interstate Movement, and Release Into the Environment of Certain Genetically Engineered Organisms
0579-AE47
 Food and Nutrition Service—Proposed Rule Stage
Sequence No.
Title
Regulation
                                     Identifier No.141
Strengthening Integrity and Reducing Retailer Fraud in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
0584-AE71
 Food and Nutrition Service—Long-Term Actions
Sequence No.
Title
Regulation
                                     Identifier No.142
Providing Regulatory Flexibility for Retailers in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
0584-AE61
 Forest Service—Long-Term Actions
Sequence No.
Title
Regulation
                                     Identifier No.143
Special Uses—Communications Uses Rent
0596-AD43
 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Final Rule Stage 130. NOP; Strengthening Organic Enforcement *E.O. 13771 Designation:*
                             Regulatory. *Legal Authority:*7 U.S.C. 6501 *Abstract:*
                             The Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) rulemaking will address 2018 Farm Bill mandates. In summary, SOE will propose the following requirements that align with the Farm Bill: Limiting the types of operations in the organic supply chain that are not required to obtain organic certification;
                        Imported organic products must be accompanied by an electronic import certificate to validate organic status;
                        Import certificates will be submitted to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Automated Commercial Environment (ACE);
                        Certifying agents must notify USDA within 90 days of the opening of any new office that conducts certification activities; and,
                        Entities acting on behalf of certifying agents may be suspended when there is noncompliant activity. *Timetable:* Action
Date
FR CiteProposed Rule
08/05/20
85 FR 47536Comment Period End
10/05/20Final Rule
09/00/21
 *Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required:*
                             Yes. *Agency Contact:*
                             Jennifer Tucker, Deputy Administrator, USDA National Organic Program, Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250, 
                            *Phone:*
                             202 260-8077. *RIN:*
                             0581-AD09 131. Undue and Unreasonable Preferences and Advantages Under the Packers and Stockyards Act *E.O. 13771 Designation:*
                             Regulatory. *Legal Authority:*Pub. L. 110-234 *Abstract:*
                             This final rule amends the regulations issued under the Packers and Stockyards Act (P&S Act) by adding new regulations that specify the criteria the Secretary could consider in determining whether conduct or action by packers, swine contractors, or live poultry dealers constitutes an undue or unreasonable preference or advantage and a violation of the P&S Act. *Timetable:* Action
Date
FR CiteNPRM
01/13/20
85 FR 1771NPRM Comment Period End
03/13/20Final Rule
12/00/20
 *Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required:*
                             Yes. *Agency Contact:*
                             Michael V. Durando, Associate Deputy Administrator, Fair Trade Practices Program, Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-0237, 
                            *Phone:*
                             202 720-0219. *RIN:*
                             0581-AD81 132. Establishment of a Domestic Hemp Production Program *Regulatory Plan:*
                             This entry is Seq. No. 1 in part II of this issue of the 
                            **Federal Register**
                            . *RIN:*
                             0581-AD82 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Proposed Rule Stage 133. Handling of Animals; Contingency Plans *E.O. 13771 Designation:*
                             Regulatory. *Legal Authority:*7 U.S.C. 2131 to 2159
                            ( print page 16858) *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. 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 CiteNPRM
10/23/08
73 FR 63085NPRM Comment Period End
12/22/08NPRM Comment Period Extended
12/19/08
73 FR 77554NPRM Comment Period Extended End
02/20/09Final Rule
12/31/12
77 FR 76815Final Rule Effective
01/30/13Final Rule—Stay of Regulations
07/31/13
78 FR 46255Final Rule Effective—Stay of Regulations
07/31/13NPRM
06/00/21
 *Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required:*
                             Yes. *Agency Contact:*
                             Kay Carter-Corker, Director, National Policy Staff, Animal Care, Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, 4700 River Road, Unit 84, Riverdale, MD 20737, 
                            *Phone:*
                             301 851-3748. *RIN:*
                             0579-AC69 134. • Requiring Microchipping, Verifiable Signatures, Government Official Endorsement, and Mandatory Forms for Importation of Live Dogs *E.O. 13771 Designation:*
                             Regulatory. *Legal Authority:*7 U.S.C. 2131 to 2159 *Abstract:*
                             We are proposing to amend the regulations regarding the importation of live dogs by requiring all live dogs imported into the United States for resale purposes to be microchipped for permanent identification, and to require importers to procure a microchip reader and make it available to port-of-entry officials as requested. This action would also add microchipping as one of three identification options for dogs and cats used by dealers, exhibitors and research facilities. In addition, APHIS is proposing to require a verifiable signature on the health certificate and rabies certificate accompanying imported live dogs, an endorsement of the health certificate by a government official in the country of origin, and the mandatory use of forms provided by APHIS. *Timetable:* Action
Date
FR CiteNPRM
08/00/21
 *Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required:*
                             Yes. *Agency Contact:*
                             Kay Carter-Corker, Director, National Policy Staff, Animal Care, Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, 4700 River Road, Unit 84, Riverdale, MD 20737, 
                            *Phone:*
                             301 851-3748. *RIN:*
                             0579-AE58 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Final Rule Stage 135. Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy and Scrapie; Importation of Small Ruminants and Their Germplasm, Products, and Byproducts *E.O. 13771 Designation:*
                             Deregulatory. *Legal Authority:*7 U.S.C. 450; 7 U.S.C. 1622; 7 U.S.C. 7701 to 7772; 7 U.S.C. 7781 to 7786; 7 U.S.C. 8301 to 8317; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a; 31 U.S.C. 9701 *Abstract:*
                             We are amending the regulations governing the importation of animals and animal products to revise conditions for the importation of live sheep, goats, and certain other non-bovine ruminants, and products derived from sheep and goats, with regard to transmissible spongiform encephalopathies such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and scrapie. We are removing BSE-related import restrictions on sheep and goats and most of their products, and adding import restrictions related to transmissible spongiform encephalopathies for certain wild, zoological, or other non-bovine ruminant species. The conditions we are adopting for the importation of specified commodities are based on internationally accepted scientific literature and will, in general, align our regulations with guidelines established in the World Organization for Animal Health's Terrestrial Animal Health Code. *Timetable:* Action
Date
FR CiteNPRM
07/18/16
81 FR 46619NPRM Comment Period End
09/16/16Final Rule
02/00/21
 *Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required:*
                             Yes. *Agency Contact:*
                             Alexandra MacKenzie, Veterinary Medical Officer, Animal Permitting and Negotiating Services, NIES, VS, Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, 4700 River Road, Unit 39, Riverdale, MD 20737, 
                            *Phone:*
                             301 851-3300. *RIN:*
                             0579-AD10 136. National List of Reportable Animal Diseases *E.O. 13771 Designation:*
                             Other. *Legal Authority:*7 U.S.C. 8301 to 8317 *Abstract:*
                             This rulemaking would amend the animal disease regulations to provide for a National List of Reportable Animal Diseases, along with animal disease reporting responsibilities, to streamline State and Federal cooperative animal disease eradication efforts. This action would enhance and consolidate current disease reporting mechanisms, and would complement and supplement existing animal disease tracking and reporting at the State level. *Timetable:* Action
Date
FR CiteNPRM
04/02/20
85 FR 18471NPRM Comment Period End
06/01/20NPRM Comment Period Reopened
08/18/20
85 FR 50796NPRM Comment Period Reopened End
08/21/20Final Action
06/00/21
 *Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required:*
                             Yes. *Agency Contact:*
                             Jason Baldwin, Acting Coordinator, National List of Reportable Animal Diseases, Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building B, Mailstop 1E3, Fort Collins, CO 80526, 
                            *Phone:*
                             970 494-7225. *RIN:*
                             0579-AE39 137. Removal of Emerald Ash Borer Domestic Quarantine Regulations *E.O. 13771 Designation:*
                             Deregulatory. *Legal Authority:*7 U.S.C. 7701 to 7772; 7 U.S.C. 7781 to 7786 *Abstract:*
                             This rulemaking will remove the domestic quarantine regulations for the plant pest emerald ash borer. This action will discontinue 
                            ( print page 16859)
                            the domestic regulatory component of the emerald ash borer program as a means to more effectively direct available resources toward management and containment of the pest. Funding previously allocated to the implementation and enforcement of these domestic quarantine regulations will instead be directed to a non-regulatory option of research into, and deployment of, biological control agents for emerald ash borer, which will serve as the primary tool to mitigate and control the pest. *Timetable:* Action
Date
FR CiteNPRM
09/19/18
83 FR 47310NPRM Comment Period End
11/19/18Final Rule
11/00/20
 *Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required:*
                             Yes. *Agency Contact:*
                             Herbert Bolton, National Policy Manager, PPQ, Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, 4700 River Road, Unit 26, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231, 
                            *Phone:*
                             301 851-3594. *RIN:*
                             0579-AE42 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Long-Term Actions 138. Importation of Fresh Citrus Fruit From the Republic of South Africa Into the Continental United States *E.O. 13771 Designation:*
                             Deregulatory. *Legal Authority:*7 U.S.C. 450; 7 U.S.C. 7701 to 7772; 7 U.S.C. 7781 to 7786; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a *Abstract:*
                             This rulemaking will amend the fruits and vegetables regulations to allow the importation of several varieties of fresh citrus fruit, as well as citrus hybrids, into the continental United States from areas in the Republic of South Africa where citrus black spot has been known to occur. As a condition of entry, the fruit will have to be produced in accordance with a systems approach that includes shipment traceability, packinghouse registration and procedures, and phytosanitary treatment. The fruit will also be required to be imported in commercial consignments and accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the national plant protection organization of the Republic of South Africa with an additional declaration confirming that the fruit has been produced in accordance with the systems approach. This action will allow for the importation of fresh citrus fruit, including citrus hybrids, from the Republic of South Africa while continuing to provide protection against the introduction of plant pests into the United States. *Timetable:* Action
Date
FR CiteNPRM
08/28/14
79 FR 51273NPRM Comment Period End
10/27/14Next Action Undetermined
 *Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required:*
                             Yes. *Agency Contact:*
                             Tony Román, 
                            *Phone:*
                             301 851-2242. *RIN:*
                             0579-AD95 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Completed Actions 139. Brucellosis and Bovine Tuberculosis; Update of Import Provisions *E.O. 13771 Designation:*
                             Fully or Partially Exempt. *Legal Authority:*7 U.S.C. 1622; 7 U.S.C. 8301 to 8317; 15 U.S.C. 1828; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a; 31 U.S.C. 9701 *Abstract:*
                             We are amending the regulations governing the importation of cattle and bison with respect to bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis. The changes will make these requirements clearer and assure that they more effectively mitigate the risk of introduction of these diseases into the United States. *Completed:* Reason
Date
FR CiteFinal Rule
09/17/20
85 FR 57944Final Rule Effective
10/19/20
 *Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required:*
                             Yes. *Agency Contact:*
                             Kelly Rhodes, 
                            *Phone:*
                             301 851-3300. *RIN:*
                             0579-AD65 140. Importation, Interstate Movement, and Release Into the Environment of Certain Genetically Engineered Organisms *E.O. 13771 Designation:*
                             Deregulatory. *Legal Authority:*7 U.S.C. 7701 to 7772; 7 U.S.C. 7781 to 7786 *Abstract:*
                             APHIS is revising its regulations regarding the importation, interstate movement, and environmental release of certain genetically engineered organisms in order to update the regulations in response to advances in genetic engineering and APHIS' understanding of the plant health risk posed by genetically engineered organisms, thereby reducing the burden for regulated entities whose organisms pose no plant health risks. *Completed:* Reason
Date
FR CiteFinal Rule
05/18/20
85 FR 29790Final Rule Effective
08/17/20
 *Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required:*
                             Yes. *Agency Contact:*
                             Alan Pearson, 
                            *Phone:*
                             301 851-3944. *RIN:*
                             0579-AE47 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Proposed Rule Stage 141. Strengthening Integrity and Reducing Retailer Fraud in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) *E.O. 13771 Designation:*
                             Regulatory. *Legal Authority:*Pub. L. 113-79; Pub. L. 115-334 *Abstract:*
                             This proposed rule would implement statutory provisions of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 Farm Bill), the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (the 2018 Farm Bill), and other language intended to deter retailer fraud, abuse, and non-compliance in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). *Timetable:* Action
Date
FR CiteNPRM
12/00/20
 *Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required:*
                             Yes. *Agency Contact:*
                             Charles H. Watford, Regulatory Review Specialist, Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, 1320 Braddock Place, Alexandria, VA 22314, 
                            *Phone:*
                             703 605-0800, 
                            *Email: charles.watford@usda.gov*. Maureen Lydon, Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, 1320 Braddock Place, Alexandria, VA 22314, 
                            *Phone:*
                             703 457-7713, 
                            *Email: maureen.lydon@usda.gov*.
                            ( print page 16860) *RIN:*
                             0584-AE71 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Long-Term Actions 142. Providing Regulatory Flexibility for Retailers in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) *E.O. 13771 Designation:*
                             Deregulatory. *Legal Authority:*Pub. L. 113-79; 7 U.S.C. 2011 to 2036 *Abstract:*
                             The Agricultural Act of 2014 amended the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to increase the requirement that certain Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) authorized retail food stores have available on a continuous basis at least three varieties of items in each of four staple food categories, to a mandatory minimum of seven varieties. The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) codified these mandatory requirements. Subsequent annual Agency appropriations bill language prohibited implementation of certain final rule provisions. In response, this change will provide some retailers participating in SNAP as authorized food stores with more flexibility in meeting the enhanced SNAP eligibility requirements. *Timetable:* Action
Date
FR CiteNPRM
04/05/19
84 FR 13555NPRM Comment Period End
06/04/19NPRM Comment Period Reopened
06/14/19
84 FR 27743NPRM Comment Period Reopen End
06/20/19Final Action
To Be Determined
 *Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required*: Yes. *Agency Contact:*
                             Charles H. Watford, 
                            *Phone:*
                             703 605-0800, 
                            *Email:**charles.watford@usda.gov*. *RIN:*
                             0584-AE61 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) Forest Service (FS) Long-Term Actions 143. Special Uses—Communications Uses Rent *E.O. 13771 Designation:*
                             Regulatory. *Legal Authority:*43 U.S.C. 1761 to 1771 *Abstract:*
                             Consistent with the requirement in title V, section 504(g) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, the proposed rule would update the Forest Service's rental fee schedule for communications uses based on market value. Updated rental fees that exceed 100 percent of current rental fees would be phased in over a 3-year period. *Timetable:* Action
Date
FR CiteNPRM
To Be Determined
 *Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required:*
                             Yes. *Agency Contact:*
                             Edwina Howard-Agu, 
                            *Phone:*
                             202 205-1419, 
                            *Email: ehowardagu@fs.fed.us*. *RIN:*
                             0596-AD43


BILLING CODE 3410-02-P BILLING CODE 3410-34-P BILLING CODE 3410-30-P BILLING CODE 3410-11-P [FR Doc. 2021-04329 Filed 3-30-21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-90-P