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

LEGISLATIVE: Includes Maine

MAINE

Question 3 ballot initiative is a statewide referendum amending the Maine Constitution to declare that individuals have a “natural, inherent and unalienable right to food,” including “the right to save and exchange seeds,” and “the right to grow, raise, harvest, produce and consume the food of their own choosing for their own nourishment, sustenance, bodily health and well-being.” Info here.

REGULATORY: APHIS, EPA, FWS, FSIS, NOAA

ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE

Notice advising the public that SPHIS has prepared a commodity import evaluation document relative to the importation into the United States of plums from Chile. Chile plums are currently subject to irradiation, either in Chile or in the United States, as a mitigation for European grapevine moth. Info here.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Notice announcing that the EPA Office of Research and Development is hosting a series of virtual meetings of the Board of Scientific Counselors Safe and Sustainable Water Resources Subcommittee to discuss the SSWR research program on nutrients and harmful algal blooms. Info here.

FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

Notice announcing the availability of FWS’s draft recovery plan for the Diamond Y invertebrates, including Diamond tryonia (Pseudotryonia adamantina), Gonzales tryonia (Tryonia circumstriata), and Pecos amphipod (Gammarus pecos). These endangered aquatic invertebrates occur in the Diamond Y Spring system of the Chihuahuan Desert of western Texas. Info here.

FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE

Notice announcing that FSIS is correcting its regulations requiring official plants that process egg products to develop and implement Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Systems and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures and to meet other sanitation requirements consistent with FSIS’ meat and poultry regulations. Info here.

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION

Notice announcing that NOAA and EPA invite public comment on the agencies’ proposed finding that Ohio has satisfied all conditions the agencies established as part of their 2002 approval of the state’s coastal nonpoint pollution control program. Info here.