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

REGULATORY: AMS, CFTC, FWS, FNS, OSHA

AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE

Final rule implementing a recommendation from the California Date Administrative Committee to increase the assessment rate for the 2020-21 and subsequent crop years. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated. Info here.

Proposed rule proposing to implement a recommendation from the Texas Valley Citrus Committee to increase the assessment rate established for the 2021-22 and subsequent fiscal periods. The proposed assessment rate would remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated. Info here.

COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION

Final rule announcing that CFTC is adopting technical amendments to its Rules Relating to Reparations to change the position title of the Judgment Officer to Administrative Judge and to incorporate gender neutral language, where applicable. Info here.

FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

Notice announcing receipt of an application from Maury L. Carter and Associates Inc. (applicant) for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act. The applicant requests the ITP to take the federally listed scrub-jay incidental to construction in Volusia County, Florida. FWS requests public comment on the application, which includes the applicant’s proposed habitat conservation plan (HCP), and FWS’s preliminary determination that this HCP qualifies as “low-effect,” categorically excluded, under the National Environmental Policy Act. Info here.

FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE

Notice announcing FNS is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to gain insights from interested parties about establishing a resource center that supports State and local Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) agencies in improving the WIC application and certification journey. Info here.

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

Final Rule ratifying the November 12, 2021, interim final rule codifying an emergency temporary standard to protect unvaccinated employees of large employers from the risk of contracting COVID-19.  Neither the ratification nor the publication is a statement that the ratified action would be invalid absent the ratification, whether published or otherwise. Info here.