REGULATORY:
Notice: Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA); In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on this proposed information collection. This collection is a revision of a currently approved collection of information relating to the reporting and recordkeeping burden associated with the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). Info HERE
Notice of availability; reopening of comment period: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA; We are reopening the comment period for an environmental assessment relative to permitting the release of Aphalara itadori for the biological control of Japanese, Giant, and Bohemian knotweeds (Fallopia japonica, F. sachalinensis,and F. x bohemica), significant invasive weeds, within the contiguous United States. This action will allow interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments. Info HERE
Notice: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA; We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has prepared an environmental assessment concerning authorization to ship for the purpose of field testing, and then to field test, an unlicensed Pseudogymnoascus destructans Vaccine, Live Raccoon Poxvirus Vector (RCN-CAL/SP). The environmental assessment, which is based on a risk analysis prepared to assess the risks associated with the field testing of this vaccine, examines the potential effects that field testing this veterinary vaccine could have on the quality of the human environment. Based on the risk analysis, we have reached a preliminary determination that field testing this veterinary vaccine will not have a significant impact on the quality of the human environment, and that an environmental impact statement need not be prepared. We intend to authorize shipment of this vaccine for field testing following the close of the comment period for this notice unless new substantial issues bearing on the effects of this action are brought to our attention. We also intend to issue a U.S. Veterinary Biological Product license for this vaccine, provided the field test data support the conclusions of the environmental assessment and the issuance of a finding of no significant impact and the product meets all other requirements for licensing. Info HERE
Notice: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA; We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has prepared an environmental assessment concerning authorization to ship for the purpose of field testing, and then to field test, an unlicensed Pseudogymnoascus destructans Vaccine, Live Raccoon Poxvirus Vector (RCN-CAL/SP/ASPF2/PD-ENG2). The environmental assessment, which is based on a risk analysis prepared to assess the risks associated with the field testing of this vaccine, examines the potential effects that field testing this veterinary vaccine could have on the quality of the human environment. Based on the risk analysis, we have reached a preliminary determination that field testing this veterinary vaccine will not have a significant impact on the quality of the human environment, and that an environmental impact statement need not be prepared. We intend to authorize shipment of this vaccine for field testing following the close of the comment period for this notice unless new substantial issues bearing on the effects of this action are brought to our attention. We also intend to issue a U.S. Veterinary Biological Product license for this vaccine, provided the field test data support the conclusions of the environmental assessment and the issuance of a finding of no significant impact and the product meets all other requirements for licensing. Info HERE
Revision to and extension of approval of an information collection; comment request: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA; In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s intention to request a revision to and extension of approval of an information collection associated with the bovine and captive cervid tuberculosis regulations. Info HERE
Notice: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); EPA has received applications to register new uses for pesticide products containing currently registered active ingredients. Pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is hereby providing notice of receipt and opportunity to comment on these applications. Info HERE
Notice: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); EPA has received an application to register a pesticide product containing an active ingredient not included in any currently registered pesticide products. Pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is hereby providing notice of receipt and opportunity to comment on this application. Info HERE
Notice: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); This notice announces the availability of EPA’s interim registration review decision for the following chemicals: abamectin, ametryn, bicarbonates, butralin, citronellol, corn glutens, diphenylamine, IAA [Indole acetic acid], LPE [Lysophosphatidylethanolamines, egg yolk], methiocarb, oil of black pepper, oryzalin, predator urines, prohexadione-calcium, pyrithiobac-sodium, Quillaja extract [Quillaja saponins], quinoa saponins [saponins of Chenopodium], sodium cyanide, sodium fluoroacetate, tebuthiuron, Verticillium dahlia Isolate WCS 850, yeast extract hydrolysate, and zinc borate. In addition, it announces the closure of the registration review cases for diallyl sulfides because the last U.S. registrations for these pesticides have been canceled. Info HERE
Final rule: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of fluoxastrobin in or on cotton, undelinted seed and cotton, gin byproducts. Bayer CropScience requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). Info HERE
Notice: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); This notice announces EPA’s receipt of application 73049-EUP-RE from Valent BioSciences LLC, requesting an experimental use permit (EUP) for 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid. EPA has determined that the permit may be of regional or national significance. Therefore, because of the potential significance, EPA is seeking comments on this application. Info HERE
Notice: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA;
This Notice announces the annual adjustments to the national average payments, the amount of money the Federal Government provides States for lunches, afterschool snacks, and breakfasts served to children participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs; to the maximum reimbursement rates, the maximum per lunch rate from Federal funds that a State can provide a school food authority for lunches served to children participating in the National School Lunch Program; and to the rate of reimbursement for a half-pint of milk served to non-needy children in a school or institution that participates in the Special Milk Program for Children. The annual payments and rates adjustments for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs reflect changes in the Food Away From Home series of the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers. The annual rate adjustment for the Special Milk Program reflects changes in the Producer Price Index for Fluid Milk Products. Further adjustments are made to these rates to reflect higher costs of providing meals in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. The payments and rates are prescribed on an annual basis each July.
Overall, reimbursement rates this year for the National School Lunch, Breakfast Programs and the Special Milk Program either remained the same or increased compared to last year. Of note, the performance-based reimbursement for lunches certified as meeting the meal pattern increased from 6 cents to 7 cents. Info HERE
Notice: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA; This notice announces the annual adjustments to the national average payment rates for meals and snacks served in child care centers, outside-school-hours care centers, at-risk afterschool care centers, and adult day care centers; the food service payment rates for meals and snacks served in day care homes; and the administrative reimbursement rates for sponsoring organizations of day care homes, to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index. Further adjustments are made to these rates to reflect the higher costs of providing meals in Alaska and Hawaii. The adjustments contained in this notice are made on an annual basis each July, as required by the laws and regulations governing the Child and Adult Care Food Program. Info HERE
Notice: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA; We are advising the public that we have added Scotland, a region within the United Kingdom, to our list of regions classified as having controlled risk for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and have removed Scotland from our list of regions considered negligible risk for BSE. We are taking this action because of the confirmation of classical C-type BSE in an indigenous cow in Scotland. Info HERE
Notice: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA; We are advising the public of our determination that the new plant variety HB4 soybean designated as event IND-00410-5, which has been genetically engineered for increased yield and resistance to the herbicide glufosinate, is no longer considered a regulated article under our regulations governing the introduction of certain genetically engineered organisms. Our determination is based on our evaluation of data submitted by Verdeca LLC in its petition for a determination of nonregulated status, our analysis of available scientific data, and comments received from the public in response to our previous notices announcing the availability of the petition for nonregulated status and its associated environmental assessment and plant pest risk assessment. This notice also announces the availability of our written determination and finding of no significant impact. Info HERE
Notice: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA; We are advising the public of our determination that canola designated as event LBFLFK, which has been genetically engineered to allow for the synthesis of long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, including eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, from oleic acid in canola seed, is no longer considered a regulated article under our regulations governing the introduction of certain genetically engineered organisms. Our determination is based on our evaluation of data submitted by BASF Plant Science, LP, in its petition for a determination of nonregulated status, our analysis of available scientific data, and comments received from the public in response to our previous notices announcing the availability of the petition for nonregulated status and its associated environmental assessment and plant pest risk assessment. This notice also announces the availability of our written determination and finding of no significant impact. Info HERE
Request for applications: Forest Service, USDA.;The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, State and Private Forestry, Cooperative Forestry staff, requests applications for the Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program (Community Forest Program or CFP). This is a competitive grant program whereby local governments, qualified nonprofit organizations, and Indian tribes are eligible to apply for grants to establish community forests through fee simple acquisition of private forest land from a willing seller. The purpose of the program is to establish community forests by protecting forest land from conversion to non-forest uses and provide community benefits such as sustainable forest management, environmental benefits including clean air, water, and wildlife habitat; benefits from forest-based educational programs; benefits from serving as models of effective forest stewardship; and recreational benefits secured with public access.
Eligible lands for grants funded under this program are private forest that is at least five acres in size, suitable to sustain natural vegetation, and at least 75 percent forested. The lands must also be threatened by conversion to non-forest uses, must not be held in trust by the United States on behalf of any Indian Tribe, must not be Tribal allotment lands, must be offered for sale by a willing seller, and if acquired by an eligible entity, must provide defined community benefits under CFP and allow public access. Info HERE
Notice of Proposed New Fee Site: Forest Service, USDA; The National Forests in Alabama are proposing to charge a new fee at the Conecuh Shooting Range. Fees are assessed based on the level of amenities and services provided, cost of operation and maintenance, market assessment and public comment. Funds from fees would be used for the continued operation and maintenance of this shooting range including lead abatement, berm maintenance, and removal of shell casings and debris. The proposed new fees to help maintain this site would be: $5 per person per day and $50 for an annual permit. Info HERE
Notice: Foreign Agricultural Service, USDA; This notice announces a fee of $300 to be charged for the 2020 tariff-rate quota (TRQ) year for each license issued to a person or firm by the Department of Agriculture authorizing the importation of certain dairy articles, which are subject to tariff-rate quotas set forth in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) of the United States. Info HERE
Notice: Foreign Agricultural Service, USDA; This notice announces the transfer of amounts for certain dairy articles from the historical license category (Appendix 1) to the lottery (nonhistorical) license category (Appendix 2) pursuant to the Dairy Tariff-Rate Quota Import Licensing regulations, 7 CFR part 6, for the 2019 quota year. Info HERE
Notice: Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture;
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on this proposed information collection for Reasons for Underredemption of the WIC Cash-Value Benefit. This collection is a NEW information collection.
This study informs the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) about the reasons behind underredemption of the cash-value benefit (CVB) issued to participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). FNS is particularly interested in how CVB redemption rates are affected by State agency policies and practices. Info HERE
Notice: Office of the Secretary, USDA; The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced that sugar charged against the FY 2019 raw sugar tariff-rate quota (TRQ) will be permitted to enter U.S. Customs territory until October 15, 2019, two weeks later than usual, to provide more opportunity for supplying countries to fill their import quotas.Additional U.S. Note 5(a)(iv) of Chapter 17 of the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule provides: “(iv) Sugar entering the United States during a quota period established under this note may be charged to the previous or subsequent quota period with the written approval of the Secretary.” Pursuant to the Congressional Review Act, the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs designated this rule as not a major rule. Info HERE
Notice: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); This notice provides the names, addresses, and professional affiliations of persons recently nominated to serve on the Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) established under section 25(d) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). The Panel was created on November 28, 1975, and made a permanent Panel by amendment to FIFRA, dated October 25, 1988. The Agency, at this time, anticipates selecting three new members to serve on the panel because of membership terms that will expire during the next year. Public comments on the current nominations are invited, as these comments will be used to assist the Agency in selecting the new members for the chartered Scientific Advisory Panel. Info HERE