[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 9 (Friday, January 12, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 1824-1829]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-28205]



[[Page 1823]]

Vol. 83

Friday,

No. 9

January 12, 2018

Part III





Department of Agriculture





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Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

  Federal Register / Vol. 83 , No. 9 / Friday, January 12, 2018 / 
Unified Agenda  

[[Page 1824]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary

2 CFR Subtitle B, Ch. IV

5 CFR Ch. LXXIII

7 CFR Subtitle A; Subtitle B, Chs. I-XI, XIV-XVIII, XX, XXV-
XXXVIII, XLII

9 CFR Chs. I-III

36 CFR Ch. II

48 CFR Ch. 4


Semiannual Regulatory Agenda, Fall 2017

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, USDA.

ACTION: Semiannual regulatory agenda.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This agenda provides summary descriptions of the significant 
and not significant regulatory and deregulatory actions being developed 
in agencies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in conformance 
with Executive Orders (E.O.) 12866 ``Regulatory Planning and Review,'' 
13771 ``Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs,'' 13777 
``Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda,'' and 13563 ``Improving 
Regulation and Regulatory Review.'' The agenda also describes 
regulations affecting small entities as required by section 602 of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act, Public Law 96-354. This agenda also 
identifies regulatory actions that are being reviewed in compliance 
with section 610(c) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. We invite public 
comment on those actions as well as any regulation consistent with E.O. 
13563.
    USDA has attempted to list all regulations and regulatory reviews 
pending at the time of publication except for minor and routine or 
repetitive actions, but some may have been inadvertently missed. There 
is no legal significance to the omission of an item from this listing. 
Also, the dates shown for the steps of each action are estimated and 
are not commitments to act on or by the date shown.
    USDA's complete regulatory agenda is available online at 
www.reginfo.gov. Because publication in the Federal Register is 
mandated for the regulatory flexibility agendas required by the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 602), USDA's printed agenda 
entries include only:
    (1) Rules that are likely to have a significant economic impact on 
a substantial number of small entities; and
    (2) Rules identified for periodic review under section 610 of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    For this edition of the USDA regulatory agenda, the most important 
regulatory and deregulatory actions are summarized in a Statement of 
Regulatory Priorities that is included in the Regulatory Plan, which 
appears in both the online regulatory agenda and in part II of the 
Federal Register that includes the abbreviated regulatory agenda.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information on any 
specific entry shown in this agenda, please contact the person listed 
for that action. For general comments or inquiries about the agenda, 
please contact Michael Poe, Office of Budget and Program Analysis, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250, (202) 720-3257.

    Dated: November 28, 2017.
Michael Poe,
Legislative and Regulatory Staff.

           Agricultural Marketing Service--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
139.......................  National Bioengineered             0581-AD54
                             Food Disclosure Standard
                             (Reg Plan Seq No. 1).
140.......................  NOP: Organic Livestock and         0581-AD75
                             Poultry Practices (Reg
                             Plan Seq No. 2).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
References in boldface appear in The Regulatory Plan in part II of this
  issue of the Federal Register.


            Agricultural Marketing Service--Final Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
141.......................  NOP; Organic Livestock and         0581-AD44
                             Poultry Practices.
142.......................  Growers' Trust Protection          0581-AD50
                             Eligibility and the
                             Clarification of
                             ``Written Notifications''
                             as Set Forth in Section
                             6(b) of the PACA.
143.......................  Organic Research,                  0581-AD55
                             Promotion, and
                             Information Order/
                             Referendum Procedures.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


            Agricultural Marketing Service--Completed Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
144.......................  Sunset 2017 Amendments to          0581-AD52
                             the National List.
145.......................  NOP; Organic Livestock and         0581-AD74
                             Poultry Practices.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


      Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service--Final Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
146.......................  Plant Pest Regulations;            0579-AC98
                             Update of General
                             Provisions.
147.......................  Bovine Spongiform                  0579-AD10
                             Encephalopathy and
                             Scrapie; Importation of
                             Small Ruminants and Their
                             Germplasm, Products, and
                             Byproducts.
148.......................  Establishing a Performance         0579-AD71
                             Standard for Authorizing
                             the Importation and
                             Interstate Movement of
                             Fruits and Vegetables.

[[Page 1825]]

 
149.......................  Importation of Fresh               0579-AD95
                             Citrus Fruit From the
                             Republic of South Africa
                             Into the Continental
                             United States.
150.......................  Animal Welfare;                    0579-AD99
                             Establishing De Minimis
                             Exemptions From Licensing
                             (Reg Plan Seq No. 5).
151.......................  VSTA Records and Reports           0579-AE11
                             Specific to International
                             Standards for
                             Pharmacovigilance.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
References in boldface appear in The Regulatory Plan in part II of this
  issue of the Federal Register.


      Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service--Completed Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
152.......................  Importation of Fresh               0579-AE12
                             Pitahaya Fruit From
                             Ecuador Into the
                             Continental United States.
153.......................  Importation of Hass                0579-AE29
                             Avocados From Colombia.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


   Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration--Completed
                                 Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
154.......................  Clarification of Scope....         0580-AB25
155.......................  Unfair Practices and               0580-AB27
                             Unreasonable Preference.
156.......................  Scope of Sections 202(a)           0580-AB28
                             and (b) of the Packers
                             and Stockyards Act.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


          Food Safety and Inspection Service--Final Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
157.......................  Elimination of Trichina            0583-AD59
                             Control Regulations and
                             Consolidation of
                             Thermally Processed,
                             Commercially Sterile
                             Regulations.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

Proposed Rule Stage

139. National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard

    Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 1 in part II of this issue 
of the Federal Register.
    RIN: 0581-AD54

140.  NOP: Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices

    Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 2 in part II of this issue 
of the Federal Register.
    RIN: 0581-AD75

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

Final Rule Stage

141. NOP; Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Other.
    Legal Authority: 7 U.S.C. 6501 to 6522
    Abstract: This action would establish standards that support 
additional practice standards for organic livestock and poultry 
production. This action would add provisions to the USDA organic 
regulations to address and clarify livestock and poultry living 
conditions (for example, outdoor access, housing environment and 
stocking densities), health care practices (for example physical 
alterations, administering medical treatment, euthanasia), and animal 
handling and transport to and during slaughter.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   04/13/16  81 FR 21955
Comment Period Extended.............   06/08/16  81 FR 36810
NPRM Comment Period End.............   07/13/16  .......................
Final Rule..........................   01/19/17  82 FR 7042
Final Rule Effective................   05/14/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Jennifer Tucker, Associate Deputy Administrator, 
USDA National Organic Program, Department of Agriculture, Agricultural 
Marketing Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250, 
Phone: 202 720-3252.
    RIN: 0581-AD44

142. Growers' Trust Protection Eligibility and the Clarification of 
``Written Notifications'' as Set Forth in Section 6(B) of the PACA

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 7 U.S.C. 499
    Abstract: The proposed revisions to the regulations would provide 
greater direction to growers that employ growers' agents on how they 
may preserve their trust rights under the Perishable Agricultural 
Commodities Act (PACA). The proposed revisions would also clarify the 
definition of written notification and the jurisdiction of the USDA to 
investigate alleged violations under the PACA.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   12/14/16  81 FR 90255
NPRM Comment Period End.............   02/13/17  .......................
Comment Period Extended.............   02/17/17  82 FR 10966
Comment Period End..................   03/15/17  .......................
Final Action........................   11/00/17  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 1826]]

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Judith Wey Rudman, Director PACA Division, 
Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, 14th & 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250, Phone: 202 720-9404, 
Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0581-AD50

143. Organic Research, Promotion, and Information Order/Referendum 
Procedures

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 7 U.S.C. 7411 to 7425; 7 U.S.C. 7401
    Abstract: This rule invites comments on a proposed national 
research and promotion (R&P) program for certified organic products. 
The proposed program would cover the range of organic products that are 
certified and sold per the Organic Foods Production Act and its 
implementing regulations as well as organic products imported into the 
U.S. under an organic equivalency arrangement.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   01/18/17  82 FR 5438
Comment Period End..................   03/20/17  .......................
Final Rule..........................   12/00/17  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Heather Pichelman, Director, Promotion and 
Economics, Specialty Crops Program, Department of Agriculture, 
Agricultural Marketing Service, 1400 Independence Avenue, Washington, 
DC 20250, Phone: 202 720-9915.
    RIN: 0581-AD55

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

Completed Actions

144. Sunset 2017 Amendments to the National List

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Fully or Partially Exempt.
    Legal Authority: 7 U.S.C. 6501 to 6522
    Abstract: This rule addresses eleven 2017 sunset review 
recommendations submitted to the Secretary by the National Organic 
Standards Board (NOSB) following their October 2015 meeting.
    Completed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Reason                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final Rule..........................   07/06/17  82 FR 31241
Final Action Effective..............   08/07/17  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Miles V. McEvoy, Phone: 202 720-3252.
    RIN: 0581-AD52

145. NOP; Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: 7 U.S.C. 6501 to 6522
    Abstract: Because of significant policy and legal issues within the 
final rule (0581-AD44), the public was asked to comment on which of the 
following four actions they believed would be best for USDA to take 
with regard to the disposition of the final rule (0581-AD44). The 
options were:
     Let the rule become effective on November 14, 2017;
     Suspend the rule indefinitely;
     Delay the effective date of the rule further, beyond the 
effective date of November 14, 2017; and
     Withdraw the rule so that USDA would not pursue 
implementation of the rule.
    Comments were received on all four options. Based on the content of 
the comments received and the evaluation those comments generated, this 
action will determine the disposition of the Organic Livestock and 
Poultry Practices rule published on January 19, 2017. The option chosen 
was to Delay the effective date of the rule further, beyond the 
effective date of November 14, 2017.
    Completed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Reason                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   05/10/17  82 FR 21742
Final Rule; Delay of Effective Date.   11/14/17  82 FR 52643
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Jennifer Tucker, Phone: 202 720-3252.
    RIN: 0581-AD74

BILLING CODE 3410-02-P

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

Final Rule Stage

146. Plant Pest Regulations; Update of General Provisions

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: 7 U.S.C. 450; 7 U.S.C. 2260; 7 U.S.C. 7701 to 
7772; 7 U.S.C. 7781 to 7786; 7 U.S.C. 8301 to 8817; 19 U.S.C. 136; 21 
U.S.C. 111; 21 U.S.C. 114a; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 42 
U.S.C. 4331 and 4332
    Abstract: We are revising our regulations regarding the movement of 
plant pests. We are establishing criteria regarding the movement and 
environmental release of biological control organisms, and establishing 
regulations to allow the importation and movement in interstate 
commerce of certain types of plant pests without restriction by 
granting exceptions from permitting requirements for those pests. We 
are also revising our regulations regarding the movement of soil. This 
action clarifies the factors that would be considered when assessing 
the risks associated with the movement of certain organisms and 
facilitates the movement of regulated organisms and articles in a 
manner that also protects U.S. agriculture.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Intent To Prepare an         10/20/09  74 FR 53673
 Environmental Impact Statement.
Notice Comment Period End...........   11/19/09  .......................
NPRM................................   01/19/17  82 FR 6980
NPRM Comment Period Extended........   02/13/17  82 FR 10444
NPRM Comment Period End.............   04/19/17  .......................
Final Rule..........................   02/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Colin Stewart, Assistant Director, Pests, 
Pathogens, and Biocontrol Permits, PPQ, Department of Agriculture, 
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, 4700 River Road, Unit 133, 
Riverdale, MD 20737-1236, Phone: 301 851-2237.
    RIN: 0579-AC98

147. Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy and Scrapie; Importation of Small 
Ruminants and Their Germplasm, Products, and Byproducts

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: 7 U.S.C. 450; 7 U.S.C. 1622; 7 U.S.C. 7701 to 
7772; 7 U.S.C. 7781 to 7786; 7 U.S.C. 8301 to 8317; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 
136a; 31 U.S.C. 9701
    Abstract: This rulemaking amends the bovine spongiform 
encephalopathy (BSE) and scrapie regulations regarding the importation 
of live sheep, goats, and

[[Page 1827]]

wild ruminants and their embryos, semen, products, and byproducts. The 
scrapie revisions regarding the importation of sheep, goats, and 
susceptible wild ruminants for other than immediate slaughter are 
similar to those recommended by the World Organization for Animal 
Health in restricting the importation of such animals to those from 
scrapie-free regions or certified scrapie-free flocks.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   07/18/16  81 FR 46619
NPRM Comment Period End.............   09/16/16  .......................
Final Rule..........................   02/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Langston Hull, Senior Staff Veterinary Medical 
Officer, Animal Permitting and Negotiating Services, VS, Department of 
Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, 4700 River 
Road, Unit 39, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231, Phone: 301 851-3300.
    RIN: 0579-AD10

148. Establishing a Performance Standard for Authorizing the 
Importation and Interstate Movement of Fruits and Vegetables

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: 7 U.S.C. 450; 7 U.S.C. 7701 to 7772; 7 U.S.C. 7781 
to 7786; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136(a)
    Abstract: This rulemaking will amend our regulations governing the 
importations of fruits and vegetables by broadening our existing 
performance standard to provide for consideration of all new fruits and 
vegetables for importation into the United States using a notice-based 
process. Rather than authorizing new imports through proposed and final 
rules and specifying import conditions in the regulations, the notice-
based process uses Federal Register notices to make risk analyses 
available to the public for review and comment, with authorized 
commodities and their conditions of entry subsequently being listed on 
the internet. It also will remove the region- or commodity-specific 
phytosanitary requirements currently found in these regulations. 
Likewise, we are proposing an equivalent revision of the performance 
standard in our regulations governing the interstate movements of 
fruits and vegetables from Hawaii and the U.S. territories (Guam, 
Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and 
the removal of commodity-specific phytosanitary requirements from those 
regulations. This action will allow for the consideration of requests 
to authorize the importation or interstate movement of new fruits and 
vegetables in a manner that enables a more flexible and responsive 
regulatory approach to evolving pest situations in both the United 
States and exporting countries. It will not, however, alter the 
science-based process in which the risk associated with importation or 
interstate movement of a given fruit or vegetable is evaluated or the 
manner in which risks associated with the importation or interstate 
movement of a fruit or vegetable are mitigated.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   09/09/14  79 FR 53346
NPRM Comment Period End.............   11/10/14  .......................
NPRM Comment Period Reopened........   12/04/14  79 FR 71973
NPRM Comment Period End.............   01/09/15  .......................
NPRM Comment Period Reopened........   02/06/15  80 FR 6665
NPRM Comment Period End.............   03/10/15  .......................
Final Rule..........................   12/00/17  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Nicole Russo, Assistant Director, Regulatory 
Coordination and Compliance, PPQ, Department of Agriculture, Animal and 
Plant Health Inspection Service, 4700 River Road, Unit 133, Riverdale, 
MD 20737-1236, Phone: 301 851-2159.
    RIN: 0579-AD71

149.  Importation of Fresh Citrus Fruit From the Republic of 
South Africa Into the Continental United States

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: 7 U.S.C. 450; 7 U.S.C. 7701 to 7772; 7 U.S.C. 7781 
to 7786; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a
    Abstract: This rulemaking will amend the fruits and vegetables 
regulations to allow the importation of several varieties of fresh 
citrus fruit, as well as citrus hybrids, into the continental United 
States from areas in the Republic of South Africa where citrus black 
spot has been known to occur. As a condition of entry, the fruit will 
have to be produced in accordance with a systems approach that includes 
shipment traceability, packinghouse registration and procedures, and 
phytosanitary treatment. The fruit will also be required to be imported 
in commercial consignments and accompanied by a phytosanitary 
certificate issued by the national plant protection organization of the 
Republic of South Africa with an additional declaration confirming that 
the fruit has been produced in accordance with the systems approach. 
This action will allow for the importation of fresh citrus fruit, 
including citrus hybrids, from the Republic of South Africa while 
continuing to provide protection against the introduction of plant 
pests into the United States.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   08/28/14  79 FR 51273
NPRM Comment Period End.............   10/27/14  .......................
Final Action........................   06/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Marc Phillips, Senior Regulatory Policy Specialist, 
Regulatory Coordination and Compliance, PPQ, Department of Agriculture, 
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, 4700 River Road, Unit 133, 
Riverdale, MD 20737-1231, Phone: 301 851-2114.
    RIN: 0579-AD95

150. Animal Welfare; Establishing De Minimis Exemptions From Licensing

    Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 5 in part II of this issue 
of the Federal Register.
    RIN: 0579-AD99

151.  VSTA Records and Reports Specific to International 
Standards for Pharmacovigilance

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant.
    Legal Authority: 21 U.S.C. 151 to 159
    Abstract: This rulemaking will amend the Virus-Serum-Toxin Act 
regulations concerning records and reports. This change requires 
veterinary biologics licensees and permittees to record and submit 
reports concerning adverse events associated with the use of biological 
products they produce or distribute. The information that must be 
included in the adverse event reports submitted to the Animal and Plant 
Health Inspection Service will be provided in separate guidance 
documents. These records and reports will help ensure that APHIS can 
provide complete and accurate information to consumers regarding 
adverse reactions or other problems associated with the use of licensed 
biological products.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   09/04/15  80 FR 53475

[[Page 1828]]

 
NPRM Comment Period End.............   11/03/15  .......................
Final Rule..........................   12/00/17  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Donna L. Malloy, Operational Support Section, 
Center for Veterinary Biologics, Policy, Evaluation, and Licensing, VS, 
Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, 
4700 River Road, Unit 148, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231, Phone: 301 851-
3426.
    RIN: 0579-AE11

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

Completed Actions

152. Importation of Fresh Pitahaya Fruit From Ecuador Into the 
Continental United States

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: 7 U.S.C. 450; 7 U.S.C. 7701 to 7772; 7 U.S.C. 7781 
to 7786; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a
    Abstract: This rulemaking amends the fruits and vegetables 
regulations to allow the importation of fresh pitahaya fruit into the 
continental United States from Ecuador. As a condition of entry, the 
fruit will have to be produced in accordance with a systems approach 
that includes requirements for fruit fly trapping, pre-harvest 
inspections, approved production sites, and packinghouse procedures 
designed to exclude quarantine pests. The fruit will also be required 
to be imported in commercial consignments and accompanied by a 
phytosanitary certificate issued by the national plant protection 
organization of Ecuador stating that the consignment was produced and 
prepared for export in accordance with the requirements of the systems 
approach. This action allows for the importation of fresh pitahaya 
fruit from Ecuador while continuing to provide protection against the 
introduction of plant pests into the United States.
    Completed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Reason                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final Rule..........................   06/20/17  82 FR 27967
Final Rule Effective................   07/20/17  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Claudia Ferguson, Phone: 301 851-2352.
    RIN: 0579-AE12.

153.  Importation of Hass Avocados From Colombia

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: 7 U.S.C. 450; 7 U.S.C. 7701 to 7772; 7 U.S.C. 7781 
to 7786; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a
    Abstract: This rulemaking amends the regulations to allow the 
importation of fresh Hass avocado fruit from Colombia into the 
continental United States. As a condition of entry, fresh Hass avocado 
fruit from Colombia will have to be produced in accordance with a 
systems approach that includes orchard and packinghouse requirements 
and port of entry inspection. The fruit will also be required to be 
imported in commercial consignments and accompanied by a phytosanitary 
certificate issued by the national plant protection organization of 
Colombia with an additional declaration stating that the fruit has been 
produced in accordance with the requirements. This action allows for 
the importation of fresh Hass avocado fruit from Colombia while 
continuing to provide protection against the introduction of plant 
pests into the continental United States.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   10/27/16  81 FR 74722
NPRM Comment Period End.............   03/20/17  .......................
NPRM Comment Period Reopened........   01/17/17  82 FR 4798
NPRM Comment Period Extended........   02/10/17  82 FR 10312
Final Rule..........................   08/15/17  82 FR 38591
Final Rule Effective................   09/14/17  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: David B. Lamb, Senior Regulatory Policy Specialist, 
IRM, PPQ, Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service, 4700 River Road, Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231, Phone: 
301 851-2103.
    RIN: 0579-AE29

BILLING CODE 3410-34-P

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA)

Completed Actions

154. Clarification of Scope

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
    Legal Authority: Pub. L. 110-246; 7 U.S.C. 181 to 229c
    Abstract: On December 20, 2016, the Grain Inspection, Packers and 
Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) published an interim final rule on 
the subject matter that was set to become effective on February 21, 
2017. GIPSA published a notice in the Federal Register that extended 
the comment period of the interim final rule until March 24, 2017, and 
delayed its effective date until April 22, 2017. GIPSA sought 
additional comments through a new proposed rule on possible actions the 
Department may take that will result in delayed full implementation of 
the rule. GIPSA published a notice delaying the effective date of the 
interim final rule for an additional 180 days, until October 19, 2017.
    Completed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Reason                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice..............................   04/12/17  82 FR 17531
Interim Final Rule Effective........   10/19/17  .......................
Withdrawn...........................   10/18/17  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Raymond Dexter Thomas, Phone: 202 720-6529, Fax: 
202 690-2173, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0580-AB25

155. Unfair Practices and Unreasonable Preference

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
    Legal Authority: Pub. L. 110-246; 7 U.S.C. 181-229c
    Abstract: Title XI of the 2008 Farm Bill required the Secretary of 
Agriculture to issue a number of regulations under the P&S Act. Among 
these instructions, the 2008 Farm Bill directed the Secretary to 
identify criteria to be considered in determining whether an undue or 
unreasonable preference or advantage has occurred in violation of the 
P&S Act. In June of 2010, the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards 
Administration (GIPSA) published a proposed rule addressing this 
statutory requirement along with several other rules required by the 
2008 Farm Bill. Proposed 201.211 to the regulations under the P&S Act 
would

[[Page 1829]]

have established criteria that the Secretary may consider in 
determining if conduct would violate section 202(b) of the P&S Act 
(undue or unreasonable preference or advantage). While many commenters 
provided examples of similarly situated poultry growers and livestock 
producers receiving different treatment, other commenters were 
concerned about the impacts of the provision on marketing arrangements 
and other beneficial contractual agreements. Beginning with the FY 2012 
appropriations act, USDA was precluded from working on certain proposed 
regulatory provisions related to the P&S Act, including criteria in 
this proposal regarding undue or unreasonable preferences or 
advantages. Consequently, GIPSA did not finalize this rule in 2011. The 
prohibitions are not included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 
2016. This rulemaking is necessary to fulfill statutory requirements. 
Section 201.210 will illustrate by way of examples types of conduct 
GIPSA would consider unfair, unjustly discriminatory, or deceptive.
    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Raymond Dexter Thomas, Phone: 202 720-6529, Fax: 
202 690-2173, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0580-AB27

156. Scope of Sections 202(A) and (B) of the Packers and Stockyards Act

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: Pub. L. 110-246; 7 U.S.C. 181 to 229c
    Abstract: Through this action, GIPSA sought additional comments on 
possible actions the Department may take on 0580-AB25.
    Completed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Reason                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   04/12/17  82 FR 17594
Final Action; Withdrawal............   10/18/17  82 FR 48594
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Raymond Dexter Thomas, Phone: 202 720-6529, Fax: 
202 690-2173, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0580-AB28

BILLING CODE 3410-EN-P

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)

Final Rule Stage

157. Elimination of Trichina Control Regulations and Consolidation of 
Thermally Processed, Commercially Sterile Regulations

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: 21 U.S.C. 601 et seq.; 21 U.S.C. 451 et seq.
    Abstract: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) proposed to 
amend the Federal meat inspection regulations to eliminate the 
requirements for both ready-to-eat (RTE) and not-ready-to-eat (NRTE) 
pork and pork products to be treated to destroy trichina (Trichinella 
spiralis) because the regulations are inconsistent with the Hazard 
Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulations, and these 
prescriptive regulations are no longer necessary. If this supplemental 
proposed rule is finalized, FSIS will end its Trichinella Approved 
Laboratory Program (TALP program) for the evaluation and approval of 
non-Federal laboratories that use the pooled sample digestion technique 
to analyze samples for the presence of trichina. FSIS also proposed to 
consolidate the regulations on thermally processed, commercially 
sterile meat and poultry products (i.e., canned food products 
containing meat or poultry).
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   03/28/16  81 FR 17337
NPRM Comment Period End.............   06/27/16  .......................
Final Rule..........................   12/00/17  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Matthew Michael, Director, Issuances Staff, 
Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Office 
of Policy and Program Development, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, 
Washington, DC 20250-3700, Phone: 202 720-0345, Fax: 202 690-0486, 
Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0583-AD59

[FR Doc. 2017-28205 Filed 1-11-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P