A comprehensive summary of today’s judicial, legislative, and regulatory developments in agriculture and food. Email important additions HERE.

REGULATORY: Includes AMS, USDA, FMCSA, FWS, and NOAA

AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE 

Final rule implements a recommendation from the Cherry Industry Administrative Board (Board) to change subcommittee size and add term limits under the marketing order for tart cherries grown in the States of Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin. Info here.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Solicitation for membership – USDA is announcing the opening of the solicitation for nominations to fill vacancies on the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics (NAREEE) Advisory Board—Citrus Disease Subcommittee. Info here.

 FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION

Interim final rule the FMSCA is moving forward with a rule regarding the hours of service in relation to the transportation of agricultural commodities. Info here.

FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

Proposed rule announces a 12-month finding on a petition to list the frecklebelly madtom (Noturus munitus), a fish species from Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee, as an endangered or threatened species and designate critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Info here.

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION

Final rule NMFS corrects the final rule that implemented management measures described in Regulatory Amendment 27 (Regulatory Amendment 27) to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (Snapper-Grouper FMP), which published in the Federal Register on January 27, 2020. Info here.

LEGISLATIVE: Includes FEDERAL

Senate Bill (not yet numbered) Introduction of The Justice for Black Farmers Act creates a new Equitable Land Access Service within USDA to acquire farmland and provide land grants of up to 160 acres to existing and aspiring Black farmers. Info here.