Semiannual Regulatory Agenda, Spring 2010

Federal RegisterApr 26, 2010

Ask Donna

What actually matters in this document.

Text

Part III

Department of Agriculture

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

###Semiannual Regulatory Agenda###

[[Page 21730]]

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, Spring 2010

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.''

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 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) 720-3275.

Dated: March 9, 2010.

Michael Poe,

Chief, Legislative and Regulatory Staff.

Agricultural Marketing Service--Proposed Rule Stage

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regulation

Sequence Title Identifier

Number Number

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1 National Organic Program: Dairy Replacement Animals (Livestock)....................... 0581-AC69

2 National Organic Program, Sunset (2011) (Crops and Processing) (TM-07-14)............. 0581-AC77

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Agricultural Marketing Service--Final Rule Stage

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regulation

Sequence Title Identifier

Number Number

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3 National Dairy Promotion and Research Program; Dairy Import Assessments............... 0581-AC87

4 National Organic Program: Amendments to the National List (Crops, Livestock, and 0581-AC91

Processing) TM-08-06..................................................................

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Agricultural Marketing Service--Completed Actions

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regulation

Sequence Title Identifier

Number Number

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5 National Organic Program: Access to Pasture, TM-05-14................................. 0581-AC57

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Farm Service Agency--Proposed Rule Stage

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regulation

Sequence Title Identifier

Number Number

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6 Emergency Forest Restoration Program.................................................. 0560-AH89

7 Biomass Crop Assistance Program....................................................... 0560-AH92

8 Farm Loan Programs Loan Making Activities............................................. 0560-AI03

9 Conservation Loan Guarantee Program................................................... 0560-AI04

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 21731]]

Farm Service Agency--Final Rule Stage

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regulation

Sequence Title Identifier

Number Number

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

10 Loan Servicing; Farm Loan Programs.................................................... 0560-AI05

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service--Proposed Rule Stage

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regulation

Sequence Title Identifier

Number Number

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

11 Animal Welfare: Marine Mammals; Nonconsensus Language and Interactive Programs 0579-AB24

(Rulemaking Resulting From a Section 610 Review)......................................

12 Animal Welfare; Regulations and Standards for Birds................................... 0579-AC02

13 Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy; Importation of Bovines and Bovine Products.......... 0579-AC68

14 Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia; Interstate Movement and Import Restrictions on Certain 0579-AC74

Live Fish.............................................................................

15 Importation of Lemons From Northwest Argentina........................................ 0579-AC79

16 Scrapie in Sheep and Goats............................................................ 0579-AC92

17 Plant Pest Regulations; Update of General Provisions.................................. 0579-AC98

18 Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy and Scrapie; Importation of Small Ruminants and Their 0579-AD10

Germplasm, Products, and Byproducts...................................................

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service--Final Rule Stage

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regulation

Sequence Title Identifier

Number Number

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

19 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)...................................................................

20 Citrus Canker; Compensation for Certified Citrus Nursery Stock........................ 0579-AC05

21 Citrus Canker; Quarantine of the State of Florida..................................... 0579-AC07

22 Importation of Poultry and Poultry Products From Regions Affected With Highly 0579-AC36

Pathogenic Avian Influenza............................................................

23 Citrus Greening and Asian Citrus Psyllid; Quarantine and Interstate Movement 0579-AC85

Regulations...........................................................................

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service--Long-Term Actions

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regulation

Sequence Title Identifier

Number Number

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

24 Phytosanitary Certificates for Imported Fruits and Vegetables......................... 0579-AB18

25 Phytophthora Ramorum; Quarantine and Regulations...................................... 0579-AB82

26 Boll Weevil; Quarantine and Regulations............................................... 0579-AB91

27 Minimum Age Requirements for the Transport of Animals................................. 0579-AC14

28 Introduction of Organisms and Products Altered or Produced Through Genetic Engineering 0579-AC31

29 Animal Welfare; Climatic and Environmental Conditions for Transportation of Warm- 0579-AC41

Blooded Animals Other Than Marine Mammals.............................................

30 Handling of Animals; Contingency Plans................................................ 0579-AC69

31 Light Brown Apple Moth Quarantine..................................................... 0579-AC71

32 Sirex Woodwasp; Quarantine and Regulations............................................ 0579-AC86

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service--Completed Actions

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regulation

Sequence Title Identifier

Number Number

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

33 Foot-and-Mouth Disease; Payment of Indemnity.......................................... 0579-AB34

34 Tuberculosis in Cattle; Import Requirements (Completion of a Section 610 Review)...... 0579-AB44

35 Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy; Minimal-Risk Regions and Importation of Commodities; 0579-AB97

Unsealing of Means of Conveyance and Transloading of Products.........................

[[Page 21732]]

36 National Veterinary Accreditation Program (Completion of a Section 610 Review)........ 0579-AC04

37 Agricultural Inspection and AQI User Fees Along the U.S./Canada Border................ 0579-AC06

38 Tuberculosis in Cattle; Import Requirements for Roping Steers......................... 0579-AC50

39 Importation of Cattle From Mexico; Addition of Port at San Luis, Arizona.............. 0579-AC63

40 Importation of Grapes From Chile Under a Systems Approach............................. 0579-AC82

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rural Housing Service--Final Rule Stage

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regulation

Sequence Title Identifier

Number Number

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

41 Guaranteed Single-Family Housing...................................................... 0575-AC18

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Food Safety and Inspection Service--Proposed Rule Stage

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regulation

Sequence Title Identifier

Number Number

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

42 Mandatory Inspection of Catfish and Catfish Products.................................. 0583-AD36

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Food Safety and Inspection Service--Final Rule Stage

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regulation

Sequence Title Identifier

Number Number

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

43 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...........

44 Federal-State Interstate Shipment Cooperative Inspection Program...................... 0583-AD37

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Forest Service--Proposed Rule Stage

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regulation

Sequence Title Identifier

Number Number

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

45 Special Areas; State-Specific Inventoried Roadless Area Management: Colorado.......... 0596-AC74

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Office of the Secretary--Proposed Rule Stage

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regulation

Sequence Title Identifier

Number Number

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

46 Designation of Biobased Items for Federal Procurement, Round 7........................ 0503-AA36

47 Designation of Biobased Items for Federal Procurement, Round 8........................ 0503-AA39

48 Revised Program Guidelines............................................................ 0503-AA40

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Office of the Secretary--Final Rule Stage

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regulation

Sequence Title Identifier

Number Number

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

49 Voluntary Labeling Program for Designated Biobased Products........................... 0503-AA35

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BILLING CODE 3410-90-S

[[Page 21733]]

_______________________________________________________________________

Department of Agriculture (USDA) Proposed Rule Stage

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

_______________________________________________________________________

1. NATIONAL ORGANIC PROGRAM: DAIRY REPLACEMENT ANIMALS (LIVESTOCK)

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 08/00/10

Final Action 03/00/11

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Shannon H. Nally, Acting Director, Standards Division,

NOP, Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, Room

2646-South Building, 14th & Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC

20250

Phone: 202 720-3252

Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0581-AC69

_______________________________________________________________________

2. 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, 2011.

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: Shannon H. Nally, Acting Director, Standards Division,

NOP, Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, Room

2646-South Building, 14th & Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC

20250

Phone: 202 720-3252

Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0581-AC77

_______________________________________________________________________

Department of Agriculture (USDA) Final Rule Stage

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

_______________________________________________________________________

3. NATIONAL DAIRY PROMOTION AND RESEARCH PROGRAM; DAIRY IMPORT

ASSESSMENTS

Legal Authority: 7 USC 4501 to 4514; 7 USC 7401

Abstract: The Dairy Act authorizes the Order for dairy product

promotion, research, and nutrition education as part of a comprehensive

strategy to increase human consumption of milk and dairy products and

to reduce milk surpluses. The program functions to strengthen the dairy

industry's position in the marketplace by maintaining and expanding

domestic and foreign consumption of fluid milk and dairy products.

Amendments to the Order are pursuant to the 2002 and 2008 Farm Bills.

The 2002 Farm Bill mandates that the Order be amended to implement an

assessment on imported dairy products to fund promotion and research.

The 2008 Farm Bill specifies a mandatory assessment rate of 7.5-cent

per hundredweight of milk, or equivalent thereof, on dairy products

imported into the United States. Additionally, in accordance with the

2008 Farm Bill, the term ``United States'' is the Dairy Act is amended

to mean all States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of

Puerto Rico. Producers in these areas will be assessed 15 cents per

hundredweight for all milk produced and marketed.

Timetable:

________________________________________________________________________

Action Date FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM 05/19/09 74 FR 23359

NPRM Comment Period End 06/18/09

Final Action 10/00/10

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: [email protected]

RIN: 0581-AC87

_______________________________________________________________________

4. NATIONAL ORGANIC PROGRAM: AMENDMENTS TO THE NATIONAL LIST (CROPS,

LIVESTOCK, AND PROCESSING) TM-08-06

Legal Authority: 7 USC 6517 and 6518

Abstract: The Agricultural Marketing Service is amending the National

List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances contained in the National

Organic Program regulations. This rule would add six new substances and

remove one from the list.

Timetable:

________________________________________________________________________

Action Date FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM 06/03/09 74 FR 26591

NPRM Comment Period End 08/03/09

Final Action 06/00/10

[[Page 21734]]

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Shannon H. Nally, Acting Director, Standards Division,

NOP, Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, Room

2646-South Building, 14th & Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC

20250

Phone: 202 720-3252

Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0581-AC91

_______________________________________________________________________

Department of Agriculture (USDA) Completed Actions

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

_______________________________________________________________________

5. 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.

Completed:

________________________________________________________________________

Reason Date FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action: Comments Requested02/17/10 75 FR 7154

Comments Due 04/19/10 75 FR 7154

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Shannon H. Nally

Phone: 202 720-3252

Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0581-AC57

BILLING CODE 3410--02--S

_______________________________________________________________________

Department of Agriculture (USDA) Proposed Rule Stage

Farm Service Agency (FSA)

_______________________________________________________________________

6. 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 owners 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 10/00/10

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: [email protected]

RIN: 0560-AH89

_______________________________________________________________________

7. 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 and

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 the 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 the 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

________________________________________________________________________

Notice 10/01/08 73 FR 57047

Notice-EIS 05/13/09

Notice Comment Period End 06/12/09

Notice-NOFA 06/11/09 74 FR 27767

Notice Comment Period End 08/10/09

Notice-EIS 08/10/09 74 FR 39915

Notice Comment Period End 09/24/09

NPRM 02/08/10 75 FR 6264

NPRM Comment Period End 04/09/10

Final Rule 09/00/10

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Deirdre Holder, Director, Regulatory Review Group,

Department of Agriculture, Farm

[[Page 21735]]

Service Agency, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-0572

Phone: 202 205-5851

Fax: 202 720-5233

Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0560-AH92

_______________________________________________________________________

8. FARM LOAN PROGRAMS LOAN MAKING ACTIVITIES

Legal Authority: PL 110-246

Abstract: The 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 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; and 5501, Loans to

Purchase Highly Fractionated Land.

A Beginning Farmer and Rancher Individual Development Accounts five-

year pilot program will be established in at least 15 States. The

program entails FSA making grants to qualified nonprofit 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 must match 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 04/00/10

NPRM Comment Period End 06/00/10

Final Rule 09/00/10

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: [email protected]

RIN: 0560-AI03

_______________________________________________________________________

9. CONSERVATION LOAN GUARANTEE PROGRAM

Legal Authority: PL 110-246

Abstract: The 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 directed 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 04/00/10

NPRM Comment Period End 06/00/10

Final Rule 09/00/10

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: [email protected]

RIN: 0560-AI04

_______________________________________________________________________

Department of Agriculture (USDA) Final Rule Stage

Farm Service Agency (FSA)

_______________________________________________________________________

10. 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. 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. FSA 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, FSA only has 38 properties in Homestead

Protection.

[[Page 21736]]

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 the 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 08/07/09 74 FR 39565

NPRM Comment Period End 10/06/09

Final Rule 09/00/10

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: [email protected]

RIN: 0560-AI05

BILLING CODE 3410--05--S

_______________________________________________________________________

Department of Agriculture (USDA) Proposed Rule Stage

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

_______________________________________________________________________

11. 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 06/00/10

NPRM Comment Period End 08/00/10

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Barbara Kohn, Senior Staff Veterinarian, Animal Care,

Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service,

4700 River Road, Unit 84, Riverdale, MD 20737-1234

Phone: 301 734-7833

RIN: 0579-AB24

_______________________________________________________________________

12. ANIMAL WELFARE; REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS FOR BIRDS

Legal Authority: 7 USC 2131 to 2159

Abstract: APHIS intends to establish standards for the humane handling,

care, treatment, and transportation of birds other than birds bred for

use in research.

Timetable:

________________________________________________________________________

Action Date FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM 08/00/10

NPRM Comment Period End 11/00/10

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Gerald Rushin, Veterinary Medical Officer, Animal Care,

Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service,

4700 River Road, Unit 84, Riverdale, MD 20737-1234

Phone: 301 734-0954

RIN: 0579-AC02

_______________________________________________________________________

13. BOVINE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY; IMPORTATION OF BOVINES AND BOVINE

PRODUCTS

Legal Authority: 7 USC 450; 7 USC 1622; 7 USC 7701 to 7772; 7 USC 8301

to 8317; 21 USC 136 and 136a; 31 USC 9701

Abstract: This rulemaking would amend the regulations regarding the

importation of bovines and bovine products. Under this rulemaking,

countries would be classified as either negligible risk, controlled

risk, or undetermined risk for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).

Some commodities would be allowed importation into the United States

regardless of the BSE classification of the country of export. Other

commodities would be subject to importation restrictions or

prohibitions based on the type of commodity and the BSE classification

of the country. The criteria for country classification and commodity

import would be closely aligned with those of the World Organization

for Animal Health.

Timetable:

________________________________________________________________________

Action Date FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM 08/00/10

NPRM Comment Period End 10/00/10

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Christopher Robinson, Senior Staff Veterinarian,

Technical Trade Services, National Center for Import and Export, VS,

Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service,

4700 River Road, Unit 40, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231

Phone: 301 734-7837

RIN: 0579-AC68

[[Page 21737]]

_______________________________________________________________________

14. 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: We are establishing 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. Viral hemorrhagic

septicemia has been 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. This proposed rule replaces a previously published but not

effective interim rule that contained substantially different

restrictions on the interstate movement and importation of VHS-

susceptible live fish.

Timetable:

________________________________________________________________________

Action Date FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Interim Final Rule 09/09/08 73 FR 52173

Interim Final Rule Comment

Period End 11/10/08

Interim Final Rule: Delay of

Effective Date 10/28/08 73 FR 63867

Interim Final Rule Effective 01/09/09

Interim Final Rule: Delay of

Effective Date 01/02/09 74 FR 1

NPRM 07/00/10

NPRM Comment Period End 09/00/10

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

_______________________________________________________________________

15. IMPORTATION OF LEMONS FROM NORTHWEST ARGENTINA

Legal Authority: 7 USC 450; 7 USC 7701 to 7772; 7 USC 7781 to 7786; 21

USC 136 and 136a

Abstract: This rulemaking would amend the fruits and vegetables

regulations to allow the importation of lemons from northwest Argentina

into the continental United States. Lemons from northwest Argentina

would be required to be imported in commercial consignments, produced

and packed under specified conditions, treated with a surface

disinfectant and inspected for quarantine pests before shipping, and

accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate. This action would allow for

the importation of lemons from northwest Argentina into the United

States while continuing to provide protection against the introduction

of quarantine pests.

Timetable:

________________________________________________________________________

Action Date FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM 08/00/10

NPRM Comment Period End 10/00/10

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Meredith Jones, Regulatory Coordination Specialist,

Regulatory Coordination and Compliance, PPQ, Department of Agriculture,

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, 4700 River Road, Unit 133,

Riverdale, MD 20737-1231

Phone: 301 734-7467

RIN: 0579-AC79

_______________________________________________________________________

16. SCRAPIE IN SHEEP AND GOATS

Legal Authority: 7 USC 8301 to 8317

Abstract: This rulemaking would amend the scrapie regulations by

changing the risk groups and categories established for individual

animals and for flocks, increasing the use of genetic testing as a

means of assigning risk levels to animals, reducing movement

restrictions for animals found to be genetically less susceptible or

resistant to scrapie, and simplifying, reducing, or removing certain

recordkeeping requirements. This action would provide designated

scrapie epidemiologists with more alternatives and flexibility when

testing animals in order to determine flock designations under the

regulations. It would change the definition of high-risk animal, which

will change the types of animals eligible for indemnity, and to pay

higher indemnity for certain pregnant ewes and early maturing ewes. It

would also make the identification and recordkeeping requirements for

goat owners consistent with those for sheep owners. These changes would

affect sheep and goat producers and State governments.

Timetable:

________________________________________________________________________

Action Date FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM 06/00/10

NPRM Comment Period End 08/00/10

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Diane Sutton, National Scrapie Program Coordinator,

Ruminant Health Programs, NCAHP, 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-AC92

_______________________________________________________________________

17. PLANT PEST REGULATIONS; UPDATE OF GENERAL PROVISIONS

Legal Authority: 7 USC 450; 7 USC 2260; 7 USC 7701 to 7772; 7 USC 7781

to 7786; 7 USC 8301 to 8817; 19 USC 136; 21 USC 111; 21 USC 114a; 21

USC 136 and 136a; 31 USC 9701; 42 USC 4331 to 4332

Abstract: We are proposing to revise our regulations regarding the

movement of plant pests. We are proposing to regulate the movement of

not only plant pests, but also biological control organisms and

associated articles. We are proposing risk-based criteria regarding the

movement of biological control organisms, and are proposing to exempt

certain types of plant pests from permitting requirements for their

interstate movement and movement for environmental release. We are also

proposing to revise our regulations regarding the movement of soil, and

to establish regulations governing the biocontainment facilities in

which plant pests, biological control organisms, and associated

articles are held. This proposed rule replaces a

[[Page 21738]]

previously published proposed rule, which we are withdrawing as part of

this document. This proposal would clarify the factors that would be

considered when assessing the risks associated with the movement of

certain organisms, facilitate the movement of regulated organisms and

articles in a manner that also protects U.S. agriculture, and address

gaps in the current regulations.

Timetable:

________________________________________________________________________

Action Date FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Notice of Intent to Prepare an

Environmental Impact Statement 10/20/09 74 FR 53673

Notice Comment Period End 11/19/09

NPRM 04/00/10

NPRM Comment Period End 06/00/10

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Shirley Wager-Page, Chief, Pest Permitting Branch,

Plant Health Programs, PPQ, Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant

Health Inspection Service, 4700 River Road, Unit 131, Riverdale, MD

20737-1236

Phone: 301 734-8453

RIN: 0579-AC98

_______________________________________________________________________

18. BOVINE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY AND SCRAPIE;

IMPORTATION OF SMALL RUMINANTS AND THEIR GERMPLASM, PRODUCTS, AND

BYPRODUCTS

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

Abstract: This rulemaking would amend the bovine spongiform

encephalopathy (BSE) and scrapie regulations regarding the importation

of live sheep, goats, and wild ruminants and their embryos, semen,

products, and byproducts. Some countries from which such imports would

be allowed under this rule are currently those from which the

importation of live sheep, goats, wild ruminants, their embryos, and

ruminant products and byproducts are prohibited under existing BSE

regulations. Some products would be allowed importation without

restriction due to the inherent lack of BSE risk regarding the product.

Certain other products and live animals would be allowed importation if

it can be certified that the live animals or the animals from which the

products were derived were born after implementation of an effective

feed ban. The proposed scrapie revisions regarding the importation of

sheep, goats, and susceptible wild ruminants for other than immediate

slaughter are similar to those recommended by the World Organization

for Animal Health in restricting the importation of such animals to

those from scrapie-free regions or certified scrapie-free flocks.

Timetable:

________________________________________________________________________

Action Date FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM 10/00/10

NPRM Comment Period End 12/00/10

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Betzaida Lopez, Staff Veterinarian, Technical Trade

Services, 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: 301 734-5677

RIN: 0579-AD10

_______________________________________________________________________

Department of Agriculture (USDA) Final Rule Stage

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

_______________________________________________________________________

19. 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)

Legal Authority: 7 USC 450; 7 USC 7701 to 7772; 7 USC 7781 to 7786; 21

USC 136 and 136a

Abstract: This action would establish a new category in the regulations

governing the importation of nursery stock, also known as plants for

planting. This category would list taxa of plants for planting whose

importation is not authorized pending risk assessment. We would allow

foreign governments to request that a pest risk assessment be conducted

for a taxon whose importation is not authorized pending risk

evaluation. After the pest risk assessment was completed, we would

conduct rulemaking to remove the taxon from the proposed category if

determined appropriate by the risk assessment. We are also proposing to

expand the scope of the plants regulated in the plants for planting

regulations to include non-vascular plants. These changes would allow

us to react more quickly to evidence that a taxon of plants for

planting may pose a pest risk while ensuring that our actions are based

on scientific evidence.

Timetable:

________________________________________________________________________

Action Date FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM 07/23/09 74 FR 36403

NPRM Comment Period End 10/21/09

Final Rule 07/00/10

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Arnold T. Tschanz, Senior Risk Manager, Commodity

Import Analysis and Operations, PPQ, Department of Agriculture, Animal

and Plant Health Inspection Service, 4700 River Road, Unit 133,

Riverdale, MD 20737-1231

Phone: 301 734-5306

RIN: 0579-AC03

_______________________________________________________________________

20. CITRUS CANKER; COMPENSATION FOR CERTIFIED CITRUS NURSERY STOCK

Legal Authority: 7 USC 7701 to 7772; 7 USC 7781 to 7786

Abstract: This action follows a rulemaking that established 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.

[[Page 21739]]

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

Final Action 04/00/10

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Stephen Poe, Senior Operations 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

_______________________________________________________________________

21. CITRUS CANKER; QUARANTINE OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA

Legal Authority: 7 USC 7701 to 7772; 7 USC 7781 to 7786

Abstract: This action follows an interim rule that amended the citrus

canker regulations to list the entire State of Florida as a quarantined

area for citrus canker and amended 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

also amended 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 were 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 Action 09/00/10

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Stephen Poe, Senior Operations 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

_______________________________________________________________________

22. 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 04/00/10

Interim Final Rule Comment

Period End 06/00/10

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

_______________________________________________________________________

23. 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

States of Florida and Georgia, Puerto Rico, two parishes in Louisiana,

and two counties in South Carolina as quarantined areas for citrus

greening and Alabama, Florida, Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Louisiana,

Mississippi, Texas, three counties in South Carolina, portions of one

county in Arizona, and all of three and portions of an additional three

counties in California as quarantined areas for Asian citrus psyllid, a

vector of a bacterium that causes citrus greening. It also establishes

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

________________________________________________________________________

Availability of an Environmental

Assessment 09/09/09 74 FR 46409

Environmental Assessment Comment

Period End 11/09/09

Interim Final Rule 04/00/10

Interim Final Rule Comment

Period End 06/00/10

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Patrick J. Gomes, National Project Coordinator, Citrus

Health Response Program, PPQ, Department of Agriculture, Animal and

Plant Health Inspection Service, 920 Main Campus Drive, Suite 200,

Raleigh, NC 27606-5213

Phone: 919 855-7313

RIN: 0579-AC85

[[Page 21740]]

_______________________________________________________________________

Department of Agriculture (USDA) Long-Term Actions

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

_______________________________________________________________________

24. 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

Next Action Undetermined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Evelia Sosa

Phone: 301 734-8295

RIN: 0579-AB18

_______________________________________________________________________

25. 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 Action To Be Determined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Prakash Hebbar

Phone: 301 734-5717

RIN: 0579-AB82

_______________________________________________________________________

26. BOLL WEEVIL; QUARANTINE AND REGULATIONS

Legal Authority: 7 USC 7701 to 7772; 7 USC 7781 to 7786

Abstract: This action would establish domestic boll weevil regulations

that would 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 would 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

Next Action Undetermined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: William Grefenstette

Phone: 301 734-8676

RIN: 0579-AB91

_______________________________________________________________________

27. 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

_______________________________________________________________________

28. INTRODUCTION OF ORGANISMS AND PRODUCTS ALTERED OR PRODUCED THROUGH

GENETIC ENGINEERING

Legal Authority: 7 USC 7701 to 7772; 7 USC 7781 to 7786; 31 USC 9701

Abstract: This rulemaking would revise the regulations regarding the

importation, interstate movement, and environmental release of certain

genetically engineered organisms in order to bring the regulations into

alignment with provisions of the Plant Protection Act. The revisions

would also update the regulations in response to advances in genetic

science and technology and our accumulated experience in implementing

the current regulations. This is the first comprehensive review and

revision of the regulations since they were established in 1987. This

rule would

[[Page 21741]]

affect persons involved in the importation, interstate movement, or

release into the environment of genetically engineered plants and

certain other genetically engineered organisms.

Timetable:

________________________________________________________________________

Action Date FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Notice of Intent to Prepare an

Environmental Impact Statement 01/23/04 69 FR 3271

Comment Period End 03/23/04

Notice of Availability of Draft

Environmental Impact Statement 07/17/07 72 FR 39021

Comment Period End 09/11/07

NPRM 10/09/08 73 FR 60007

NPRM Comment Period End 11/24/08

Correction 11/10/08 73 FR 66563

NPRM Comment Period Reopened 01/16/09 74 FR 2907

NPRM Comment Period End 03/17/09

NPRM; Notice of Public Scoping

Session 03/11/09 74 FR 10517

NPRM Comment Period Reopened 04/13/09 74 FR 16797

NPRM Comment Period End 06/29/09

Next Action Undetermined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: John Turner

Phone: 301 734-5720

RIN: 0579-AC31

_______________________________________________________________________

29. ANIMAL WELFARE; CLIMATIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS FOR

TRANSPORTATION OF WARM-BLOODED 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 warm-blooded 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: Gerald Rushin

Phone: 301 734-0954

RIN: 0579-AC41

_______________________________________________________________________

30. HANDLING OF ANIMALS; CONTINGENCY PLANS

Legal Authority: 7 USC 2131 to 2159

Abstract: This rulemaking will 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. These requirements are necessary 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 will 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

NPRM Comment Period Extended 12/19/08 73 FR 77554

NPRM Comment Period End 02/20/09

Final Action To Be Determined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Jeanie Lin

Phone: 301 734-7833

RIN: 0579-AC69

_______________________________________________________________________

31. LIGHT BROWN APPLE MOTH QUARANTINE

Legal Authority: 7 USC 7701 to 7772; 7 USC 7781 to 7786

Abstract: We are quarantining 16 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 To Be Determined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Andrea Simao

Phone: 301 734-0930

RIN: 0579-AC71

_______________________________________________________________________

32. SIREX WOODWASP; QUARANTINE AND REGULATIONS

Legal Authority: 7 USC 7701 to 7772; 7 USC 7781 to 7786; 21 USC 136 and

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.

[[Page 21742]]

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 To Be Determined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Lynn Evans-Goldner

Phone: 301 734-7228

RIN: 0579-AC86

_______________________________________________________________________

Department of Agriculture (USDA) Completed Actions

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

_______________________________________________________________________

33. 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 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.

Completed:

________________________________________________________________________

Reason Date FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Withdrawn: No Action Anticipated

Within the Next 12 Months 02/02/10

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Mark Teachman

Phone: 301 734-8073

RIN: 0579-AB34

_______________________________________________________________________

34. TUBERCULOSIS IN CATTLE; IMPORT REQUIREMENTS (COMPLETION OF A 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

________________________________________________________________________

Withdrawn: APHIS Will Address

This Issue as Part of a Broader

Approach 02/02/10

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Kelly Rhodes, Senior Staff Veterinarian,

Regionalization and Evaluation Services, ISTIT, NCIE, VS, Department of

Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, 4700 River

Road, Unit 38, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231

Phone: 301 734-4356

RIN: 0579-AB44

_______________________________________________________________________

35. 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.

Completed:

________________________________________________________________________

Reason Date FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Withdrawn: Superseded by the BSE

Comprehensive Rule and Will Be

Addressed Under RIN 0579-AC68 02/02/10

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Karen A. James-Preston

Phone: 301 734-8172

RIN: 0579-AB97

_______________________________________________________________________

36. NATIONAL VETERINARY ACCREDITATION PROGRAM (COMPLETION OF A SECTION

610 REVIEW)

Legal Authority: 7 USC 1622; 7 USC 8301 to 8317; 15 USC 1828; 21 USC

136a

Abstract: This rulemaking amends the regulations regarding the National

Veterinary Accreditation Program to establish two accreditation

categories in place of the former single category, to add requirements

for supplemental training and renewal of accreditation, and to offer

program certifications. We are making these changes in order to support

the Agency's animal health safeguarding initiatives, to involve

accredited veterinarians in integrated

[[Page 21743]]

surveillance activities, and to make the provisions governing our

National Veterinary Accreditation Program more uniform and consistent.

These changes will increase the level of training and skill of

accredited veterinarians in the areas of disease prevention and

preparedness for animal health emergencies in the United States.

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 12/09/09 74 FR 64998

Final Rule Effective 02/01/10

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Agency Contact: Todd Behre, National Veterinary Accreditation Program,

VS, Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection

Service, 4700 River Road, Unit 200, Riverdale, MD 20737

Phone: 301 734-0853

RIN: 0579-AC04

_______________________________________________________________________

37. 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 adopts as a final rule, with changes, an interim

rule that amended 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

are subject to inspection and commercial conveyances as well as airline

passengers arriving on flights from Canada are subject to inspection

and user fees. We took this action in part because we were not

recovering the costs of our inspection activities at the U.S./Canada

border. In addition, our data showed 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 indicated that we needed 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 all

commercial conveyances, with certain exceptions, and international air

passengers entering the United States from Canada.

Completed:

________________________________________________________________________

Reason Date FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action 03/09/10 75 FR 10634

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Cynthia Stahl

Phone: 301 734-8415

RIN: 0579-AC06

_______________________________________________________________________

38. 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 document will withdraw a proposed rule that we published

on August 24, 2004 (69 FR 51960 to 51962, APHIS Docket No. 03-081-3).

In our August 2004 proposed rule, we proposed to require that steers

and spayed heifers with any evidence of horn growth that are entering

the United States meet the same tuberculosis testing requirements as

sexually intact animals entering the United States. Instead of

proposing provisions specific to cattle imported for use at rodeos, as

our August 2004 proposal did, APHIS is considering broader changes to

the tuberculosis regulations.

Completed:

________________________________________________________________________

Reason Date FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Withdrawn: APHIS Will Address

This Issue as Part of a Broader

Approach 02/02/10

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Francisco Collazo-Mattei

Phone: 301 734-6954

RIN: 0579-AC50

_______________________________________________________________________

39. 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 changes make an additional port of entry available and relieve

restrictions on the movement of imported Mexican cattle within the

United States.

Completed:

________________________________________________________________________

Reason Date FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Withdrawn: No Action Anticipated

Within the Next 12 Months 02/02/10

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Betzaida Lopez

Phone: 301 734-5677

RIN: 0579-AC63

_______________________________________________________________________

40. IMPORTATION OF GRAPES FROM CHILE UNDER A SYSTEMS APPROACH

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

Abstract: We are proposing two changes related to our proposed rule

[[Page 21744]]

published in the Federal Register on August 27, 2008, that would amend

the fruit and vegetable regulations to allow fresh table grapes from

Chile to be imported into the continental United States under a systems

approach. Currently as a condition of entry, all table grapes from

Chile have to be fumigated with methyl bromide as a risk-mitigation

measure for Brevipalpus chilensis. On August 27, 2008, we proposed to

allow a combination of risk-mitigation measures, or systems approach,

to be employed in lieu of methyl bromide fumigation for B. chilensis.

However, there is a new quarantine pest of table grapes, Lobesia

botrana, in Chile, and the proposed systems approach does not address

and was not intended to mitigate the risk for this pest. Therefore,

this supplemental proposed rule modifies the proposed systems approach

so that it is effective for L. botrana. Alternatively, it would require

Chilean grapes that do not meet the conditions of the systems approach

for L. botrana to be fumigated with methyl bromide as a condition of

their importation into the continental United States.

Completed:

________________________________________________________________________

Reason Date FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Withdrawn: Program Will

Repropose With New Supporting

Documents and a Different

Approach 02/02/10

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Charisse Cleare

Phone: 301 734-0773

RIN: 0579-AC82

BILLING CODE 3410--34--S

_______________________________________________________________________

Department of Agriculture (USDA) Final Rule Stage

Rural Housing Service (RHS)

_______________________________________________________________________

41. 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 11/00/10

Final Action Effective 12/00/10

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, STOP 0784, Washington, DC 20250

Phone: 202 720-1465

Fax: 202 205-2476

Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0575-AC18

BILLING CODE 3410--XV--S

_______________________________________________________________________

Department of Agriculture (USDA) Proposed Rule Stage

Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)

_______________________________________________________________________

42. MANDATORY INSPECTION OF CATFISH AND CATFISH PRODUCTS

Legal Authority: 21 USC 601 et seq; PL 110-249, sec 11016

Abstract: The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Pub. L. 110-

246, sec. 11016), known as the 2008 Farm Bill, amended the Federal Meat

Inspection Act (FMIA) to make catfish an amenable species under the

FMIA. Amenable species must be inspected, so this rule will define

inspection requirements for catfish. The regulations will define

``catfish'' and the scope of coverage of the regulations to apply to

establishments that process farm-raised species of catfish and to

catfish and catfish products. The regulations will take into account

the conditions under which the catfish are raised and transported to a

processing establishment.

Timetable:

________________________________________________________________________

Action Date FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM 04/00/10

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Quita Bowman Blackwell, Acting Assistant Administrator,

Office of Catfish Inspection Program, Department of Agriculture, Food

Safety and Inspection Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington,

DC 20250

Phone: 202 720-5735

Fax: 202 690-1742

RIN: 0583-AD36

[[Page 21745]]

_______________________________________________________________________

Department of Agriculture (USDA) Final Rule Stage

Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)

_______________________________________________________________________

43. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF PROCESSED MEAT AND

POULTRY PRODUCTS; CONTROL OF LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES IN READY-TO-EAT MEAT

AND POULTRY PRODUCTS

Legal Authority: 21 USC 451 et seq; 21 USC 601 et seq

Abstract: FSIS has proposed to establish pathogen reduction performance

standards for all ready-to-eat (RTE) and partially heat-treated meat

and poultry products, and measures, including testing, to control

Listeria monocytogenes in RTE products. The performance standards spell

out the objective level of pathogen reduction that establishments must

meet during their operations in order to produce safe products, but

allow the use of customized, plant-specific processing procedures other

than those prescribed in the earlier regulations. With HACCP, food

safety performance standards give establishments the incentive and

flexibility to adopt innovative, science-based food safety processing

procedures and controls, while providing objective, measurable

standards that can be verified by Agency inspectional oversight. This

set of performance standards will include and be consistent with

standards already in place for certain ready-to-eat meat and poultry

products.

Timetable:

________________________________________________________________________

Action Date FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM 02/27/01 66 FR 12590

NPRM Comment Period End 05/29/01

NPRM Comment Period Extended 07/03/01 66 FR 35112

NPRM Comment Period End 09/10/01

Interim Final Rule 06/06/03 68 FR 34208

Interim Final Rule Effective 10/06/03

Interim Final Rule Comment

Period End 01/31/05

NPRM Comment Period Reopened 03/24/05 70 FR 15017

NPRM Comment Period End 05/09/05

Affirmation of Interim Final

Rule 03/00/11

Final Action 03/00/11

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Dr. Daniel L. Engeljohn, Deputy Assistant

Administrator, Office of Policy and Program Development, Department of

Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 1400 Independence

Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250

Phone: 202 205-0495

Fax: 202 401-1760

Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0583-AC46

_______________________________________________________________________

44. FEDERAL-STATE INTERSTATE SHIPMENT COOPERATIVE INSPECTION PROGRAM

Legal Authority: PL 110-246, sec 11015

Abstract: FSIS is proposing regulations to implement a new voluntary

Federal-State cooperative inspection program under which State-

inspected establishments with 25 or fewer employees would be eligible

to ship meat and poultry products in interstate commerce. State-

inspected establishments selected to participate in this program would

be required to comply with all Federal standards under the Federal Meat

Inspection Act (FMIA) and the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA).

These establishments would receive inspection services from State

inspection personnel that have been trained and certified to assist

with enforcement of the FMIA and PPIA. Meat and poultry products

produced under the program that have been inspected and passed by

selected State-inspection personnel would bear a Federal mark of

inspection. FSIS is proposing these regulations in response to the

Food, Conservation, and Energy Act, enacted on June 18, 2008 (the 2008

Farm Bill). Section 11015 of 2008 Farm Bill provides for the interstate

shipment of State-inspected meat and poultry product from selected

establishments and requires that FSIS promulgate implementing

regulations no later than 18 months from the date of its enactment.

Timetable:

________________________________________________________________________

Action Date FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM 09/16/09 74 FR 47648

NPRM Comment Period End 11/16/09

Final Action 09/00/10

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Rachel Edelstein, Director, Policy Issuances Division,

Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 1400

Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250

Phone: 202 720-0399

Fax: 202 690-0486

Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0583-AD37

BILLING CODE 3410--DM--S

_______________________________________________________________________

Department of Agriculture (USDA) Proposed Rule Stage

Forest Service (FS)

_______________________________________________________________________

45. SPECIAL AREAS; STATE-SPECIFIC INVENTORIED ROADLESS AREA MANAGEMENT:

COLORADO

Legal Authority: Not Yet Determined

Abstract: On April 11, 2007, Governor of Colorado Ritter submitted a

petition under the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (5

U.S.C. 553(e)) and Agriculture Department regulation (7 CFR 1.28) to

promulgate regulations, in cooperation with the State, for the

management of inventoried roadless areas within the State of Colorado.

After review and recommendation by the Roadless Area Conservation

National Advisory Committee, the Secretary accepted the Governor's

petition and initiated a proposed rulemaking for inventoried roadless

areas in Colorado. The proposed rulemaking would manage Colorado's

inventoried roadless areas by prohibiting road building and tree

cutting, with some exceptions, on 4.1 million acres of inventoried

roadless areas in Colorado. The 4.1 million acres reflect the most

updated IRA boundaries for Colorado, which incorporate planning rule

revisions since 2001 on several Colorado national forests. Inventoried

roadless areas that are allocated to ski area special uses

(approximately 10,000 acres) would also be removed from roadless

designation. Road construction and

[[Page 21746]]

reconstruction plus timber harvesting would be prohibited in

inventoried roadless areas, with some exceptions, on the Arapaho-

Roosevelt, Grand Mesa-Uncompahgre, Gunnison, Manti-La Sal, Pike-San

Isabel, Rio Grande, Routt, San Juan, and White River National Forests

in Colorado. Exceptions to the prohibitions would be allowed for

certain health, safety, valid existing rights, resource protection, and

ecological management needs.

Web site: http://roadless.fs.fed.us

Timetable:

________________________________________________________________________

Action Date FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM 07/25/08 73 FR 43544

NPRM Comment Period End 10/23/08

Second NPRM 06/00/10

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Lorrie Parker, Regulatory Analyst, Department of

Agriculture, Forest Service, ATTN: ORMS, D&R Branch, 1400 Independence

Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-0003

Phone: 202 205-6560

Fax: 202 205-6539

Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0596-AC74

BILLING CODE 3410--11--S

_______________________________________________________________________

Department of Agriculture (USDA) Proposed Rule Stage

Office of the Secretary (AgSEC)

_______________________________________________________________________

46. 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 08/00/10

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Ron Buckhalt, Manager, BioPreferred Program, Office of

Procurement and Policy Management, Department of Agriculture, 361

Reporters Building, 300 7th Street SW, Washington, DC 20250

Phone: 202 205-4008

Fax: 202 720-8972

Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0503-AA36

_______________________________________________________________________

47. DESIGNATION OF BIOBASED ITEMS FOR FEDERAL

PROCUREMENT, ROUND 8

Legal Authority: PL 110-246

Abstract: Designates an additional 15 groups of biobased products for

preferred procurement.

Timetable:

________________________________________________________________________

Action Date FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM 11/00/10

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Ron Buckhalt, Manager, BioPreferred Program, Office of

Procurement and Policy Management, Department of Agriculture, 361

Reporters Building, 300 7th Street SW, Washington, DC 20250

Phone: 202 205-4008

Fax: 202 720-8972

Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0503-AA39

_______________________________________________________________________

48. REVISED PROGRAM GUIDELINES

Legal Authority: PL 110-246

Abstract: The 2008 Farm Bill requires USDA to address how the

BioPreferred Program will designate complex products and intermediate

materials and feed stocks and make other changes to update program

guidelines.

Timetable:

________________________________________________________________________

Action Date FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM 12/00/10

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Ron Buckhalt, Manager, BioPreferred Program, Office of

Procurement and Policy Management, Department of Agriculture, 361

Reporters Building, 300 7th Street SW, Washington, DC 20250

Phone: 202 205-4008

Fax: 202 720-8972

Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0503-AA40

_______________________________________________________________________

Department of Agriculture (USDA) Final Rule Stage

Office of the Secretary (AgSEC)

_______________________________________________________________________

49. 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 07/31/09 74 FR 38296

NPRM Comment Period End 09/29/09

Final Action 09/00/10

[[Page 21747]]

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Ron Buckhalt, Manager, BioPreferred Program, Office of

Procurement and Policy Management, Department of Agriculture, 361

Reporters Building, 300 7th Street SW, Washington, DC 20250

Phone: 202 205-4008

Fax: 202 720-8972

Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0503-AA35

[FR Doc. 2010-8928 Filed 04-23-10; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-90-S

This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.

A word about cookies

We need a few to keep you signed in and the library working. The rest help us see which pages people use and where they get stuck. They stay off unless you say yes.