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

REGULATORY: Includes FWS, NOAA, RUS, SRBC

FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

Notice of petition findings and initiation of status reviews for the Bethany Beach firefly (Photuris bethaniensis) and Gulf Coast solitary bee (Hesperapis oraria) to determine whether the petitioned actions are warranted to add either species to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. Info here.

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION

Temporary rule increasing the possession and trip limits of Georges Bank cod, Gulf of Maine cod, Gulf of Maine haddock, Cape Cod/Gulf of Maine yellowtail flounder, American plaice, and witch flounder for Northeast multispecies common pool vessels for the remainder of the 2019 fishing year. Info here.

RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE

Final rule by the Rural Business-Cooperative Service based on public comments, amends its regulations, and incorporates new program requirements established in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 Bill for the Rural Business Investment Program. Info here.

SUSQUEHANNA RIVER BASIN COMMISSION

Final rule amending the regulations of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission dealing with the mitigation of consumptive uses. Info here.

LEGISLATIVE: Includes South Carolina, West Virgnia

SOUTH CAROLINA

SB 474 provides a catch limit for Spadefish. Info here.

SB 475 provides a catch limit for Tripletail. Info here.

WEST VIRGINIA

HB 2149 allows the Farm-to-Food Bank Tax Credit to equal 100 percent of the value of the donated edible agricultural products when the value is $2500 or less. Info here.