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

LEGISLATIVE: Includes Indiana

INDIANA

SB 343 specifies that “agritourism activity” includes camping, canoeing, kayaking, tubing on a river, and winter sports activities, including activities that take place on a facility or on grounds used for or in connection with winter sports activities. This legislation provides that failure to post a warning sign or provide a warning notice does not create a cause of action against an agritourism provider, and allows the use of an electronic signature to sign a contract or release in connection with engaging in an agritourism activity. Info here.

LEGISLATIVE: Includes South Dakota

SOUTH DAKOTA

HB 1322 provides for the direct sale of certain home-produced or home-processed foods and food products. Info here.

REGULATORY: EPA, FWS, FSIS

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Proposed rule announcing that the EPA received initial filings of pesticide petitions requesting the establishment or modification of regulations for residues of pesticide chemicals in or on various commodities. Info here.

Notice announcing that the EPA has received applications to register new uses for pesticide products containing currently registered active ingredients. Info here.

FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

Proposed rule announcing that FWS proposes to list the sand dune phacelia (Phacelia argentea), a plant species from coastal southern Oregon and northern California, as a threatened species and designate critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act. Info here.

Notice announcing that FWS is inviting the public to comment on applications to conduct certain activities with foreign species that are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Info here.

FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE

Notice announcing that FSIS proposes a new system of records entitled: USDA/FSIS-0005, AssuranceNet, a Web-based system that collects information to support FSIS’ mission through detecting vulnerabilities in food safety systems, processes, and functions so that the potential for harm can be promptly identified, reduced, and eliminated. Info here.

Proposed rule proposing to exempt certain records maintained by the AssuranceNet system of records from the notification and access provisions of Privacy Act of 1974. Info here.

News release announcing FSIS and the State of Montana have finalized a Cooperative Interstate Shipment agreement which allows certain state-inspected meat and poultry processors to ship their products across state lines. Info here.