A comprehensive summary of today’s judicial, legislative, and regulatory developments in agriculture and food. Email important additions to: camarigg at uark.edu
H.R. 5423: To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to provide an incentive for households participating in the supplemental nutrition assistance program to purchase certain nutritious fruits and vegetables that are beneficial to good health. This bill was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture for review before it goes to the House floor. Sponsor: Rep. Matthew Cartwright [D-PA17]
H.R. 5430: To exempt from the Lacey Act and the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 certain water transfers between any of the States of Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Bill was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources and House Committee on the Judiciary for consideration before it goes to the House floor. Sponsor: Rep. Louie Gohmert [R-TX1]
H.R. 5451: To amend the Food Security Act of 1985 to exempt certain recipients of Department of Agriculture conservation assistance from certain reporting requirements, and for other purposes. This bill was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture and House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform for consideration before it goes to the House floor. Sponsor: Rep. Ann Kuster [D-NH2]
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE: Notice U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, intends to grant to Allison Tree, LLC of Verona, Wisconsin, an exclusive license to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/220,773, “DEVICE TO DETECT STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF TREES AND WOOD USING BOTH STRESS WAVE TIME OF FLIGHT AND FREQUENCY CAPTURES AND LIMITS” filed on September 18, 2015. Info here.
COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION: Rule that the Commission proposes alternative processes for designated contract markets and swap execution facilities to recognize certain positions in commodity derivative contracts. Details here.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY:
Notice that EPA made corrections to the final rule issued in the federal Register on 3/2/16 concerning Alpha-2,4,6-Tris[1-(phenyl)ethyl]-Omega-hydroxypoly(oxyethylene) poly(oxypropylene) copolymer. Info here.
Rule eliminating the need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of alcohols, C >14, ethoxylated. Info here.
Rule eliminating the need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of diutan gum. Details here.
FEDERAL CROP INSURANCE COMMISSION: Rule that FCIC finalizes the Common Crop Insurance Regulations, Texas Citrus Fruit Crop Insurance Provisions, to provide policy changes to reduce program fraud and abuse. Info here.
FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION:
Notice FDA announces that a proposed collection of information was submitted to the OMB for review. Details here.
Notice that FDA announces availability of a draft guidance for industry (GFI) #237 entitled “Oncology Drugs for Companion Animals.” Details here.
FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE: Notice announcing a meeting of the National Advisory Council on Maternal, Infant and Fetal Nutrition, July 12-14, in Arlington, VA. Details here.
FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE: Notice that the Department of Agriculture submits information collection requirements to OMB for review. Details here.