[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 112 (Monday, June 11, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27092-27097]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-11232]



[[Page 27091]]

Vol. 83

Monday,

No. 112

June 11, 2018

Part III





Department of Agriculture





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Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

  Federal Register / Vol. 83 , No. 112 / Monday, June 11, 2018 / 
Unified Agenda  

[[Page 27092]]


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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, Spring 2018

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,'' 
13563, ``Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review,'' 13771 ``Reducing 
Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs,'' and 13777, ``Enforcing 
the Regulatory Reform Agenda.'' 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 Executive Order 
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 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: February 28, 2018.
Michael Poe,
Legislative and Regulatory Staff.

           Agricultural Marketing Service--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.........................  National Bioengineered             0581-AD54
                             Food Disclosure Standard.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


            Agricultural Marketing Service--Completed Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.........................  National Organic Program,          0581-AD08
                             Origin of Livestock.
3.........................  National Organic Program,          0581-AD20
                             Organic Pet Food
                             Standards.
4.........................  National Organic Program;          0581-AD22
                             Sunset Review (2012) for
                             Sodium Nitrate.
5.........................  National Organic Program,          0581-AD31
                             Organic Apiculture
                             Practice Standard.
6.........................  NOP; Organic Livestock and         0581-AD44
                             Poultry Practices.
7.........................  Growers' Trust Protection          0581-AD50
                             Eligibility and the
                             Clarification of
                             ``Written Notifications''
                             as Set Forth in Section
                             6(b) of the PACA.
8.........................  Organic Research,                  0581-AD55
                             Promotion, and
                             Information Order/
                             Referendum Procedures.
9.........................  NOP--Organic Livestock and         0581-AD75
                             Poultry Practices--
                             Withdrawal.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


     Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10........................  Branding Requirements for          0579-AE38
                             Bovines Imported Into the
                             United States From Mexico.
11........................  Removal of Emerald Ash             0579-AE42
                             Borer Domestic Quarantine
                             Regulations.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


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

[[Page 27093]]

 
15........................  Importation of Fresh               0579-AD95
                             Citrus Fruit From the
                             Republic of South Africa
                             Into the Continental
                             United States.
16........................  Animal Welfare;                    0579-AD99
                             Establishing De Minimis
                             Exemptions From Licensing.
17........................  VSTA Records and Reports           0579-AE11
                             Specific to International
                             Standards for
                             Pharmacovigilance.
18........................  Conditions for Payment of          0579-AE14
                             Highly Pathogenic Avian
                             Influenza Indemnity
                             Claims.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


      Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service--Completed Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
19........................  Restructuring of                   0579-AD75
                             Regulations on the
                             Importation of Plants for
                             Planting.
20........................  Importation of Campanula           0579-AE31
                             Spp. Plants for Planting
                             in Approved Growing Media
                             From Denmark to the
                             United States.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


          Food Safety and Inspection Service--Final Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
21........................  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

1. National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Other.
    Legal Authority: Pub. L. 114-216; 7 U.S.C. 1621 to 1627
    Abstract: On July 29, 2016, the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 
was amended to establish a National Bioengineered Food Disclosure 
Standard (Law) (Pub. L. 114-216). Pursuant to the law, this NPRM will 
propose requirements that, if finalized, will serve as a national 
mandatory bioengineered food disclosure standard for bioengineered food 
and food that may be bioengineered.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   05/00/18  .......................
Final Action........................   07/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Arthur Neal, Deputy Administrator, Transportation 
and Marketing, Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing 
Service, Washington, DC 20250, Phone: 202 692-1300.
    RIN: 0581-AD54

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

Completed Actions

2. National Organic Program, Origin of Livestock

    E.O. 13771 Designation:
    Legal Authority: 7 U.S.C. 6501
    Abstract: The current regulations provide two tracks for replacing 
dairy animals which are tied to how dairy farmers transition to organic 
production. Farmers who transition an entire distinct herd must 
thereafter replace dairy animals with livestock that has been under 
organic management from the last third of gestation. Farmers who do not 
transition an entire distinct herd may perpetually obtain replacement 
animals that have been managed organically for 12 months prior to 
marketing milk or milk products as organic. The proposed action would 
eliminate the two-track system and require that upon transition, all 
existing and replacement dairy animals from which milk or milk products 
are intended to be sold, labeled, or represented as organic must be 
managed organically from the last third of gestation.
    Completed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Reason                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Withdrawn...........................   03/01/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Jennifer Tucker, Phone: 202 720-3252.
    RIN: 0581-AD08

3. National Organic Program, Organic Pet Food Standards

    E.O. 13771 Designation:
    Legal Authority: 7 U.S.C. 6501
    Abstract: The National Organic Program (NOP) establishes national 
standards governing the marketing of organically produced agricultural 
products. In 2004, the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) 
initiated the development of organic pet food standards, which had not 
been incorporated into the NOP regulations, by forming a task force 
which included pet food manufacturers, organic consultants, etc. 
Collectively, these experts drafted organic pet food standards 
consistent with the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990, Food and Drug 
Administration requirements, and the Association of American Feed 
Control Officials Model Regulations for Pet and Specialty Pet Food. The 
Association of American Feed Control Officials regulations are 
scientifically based regulations for voluntary adoption by State 
jurisdictions to ensure the safety, quality, and effectiveness of feed. 
In November 2008, the NOSB approved a final recommendation for organic 
pet food standards incorporating the provisions drafted by the pet food 
task force.
    Completed:

[[Page 27094]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Reason                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Withdrawn...........................   03/01/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Jennifer Tucker, Phone: 202 720-3252.
    RIN: 0581-AD20

4. National Organic Program; Sunset Review (2012) for Sodium Nitrate

    E.O. 13771 Designation:
    Legal Authority: 7 U.S.C. 6501
    Abstract: This action proposes to amend the listing for sodium 
nitrate on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances as 
part of the 2012 sunset review process. Consistent with the 
recommendation from the National Organic Standards Board, this 
amendment would prohibit the use of the substance in its entirety from 
organic crop production.
    Completed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Reason                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Withdrawn...........................   03/01/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Melissa Bailey, Phone: 202 720-6394, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 0581-AD22

5. National Organic Program, Organic Apiculture Practice Standard

    E.O. 13771 Designation:
    Legal Authority: 7 U.S.C. 6501
    Abstract: This action proposes to amend the USDA organic 
regulations to reflect an October 2010 recommendation submitted to the 
Secretary by the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) concerning the 
production of organic apicultural (or beekeeping) products.
    Completed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Reason                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Withdrawn...........................   03/01/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Jennifer Tucker, Phone: 202 720-3252.
    RIN: 0581-AD31

6. 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, and euthanasia), and 
animal handling and transport to and during slaughter.
    Completed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Reason                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final Rule Effective................   05/14/18  .......................
Withdrawn...........................   03/13/18  83 FR 10775
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Jennifer Tucker, Phone: 202 720-3252.
    RIN: 0581-AD44

7. 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.
    Completed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Reason                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final Action........................   02/06/18  83 FR 5175
Final Action Effective..............   03/08/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Judith Wey Rudman, Phone: 202 720-9404, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 0581-AD50

8. 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.
    Completed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Reason                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Withdrawn...........................   01/22/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Heather Pichelman, Phone: 202 720-9915.
    RIN: 0581-AD55

9. NOP--Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices--Withdrawal

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: 7 U.S.C. 6501 to 6522
    Abstract: This final rule withdraws the Organic Livestock and 
Poultry Practices final rule, published on January 19, 2017.
    Completed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Reason                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   12/18/17  82 FR 59988
Final Rule; Withdrawal..............   03/13/18  83 FR 10775
Final Rule Withdrawal Effective.....   05/13/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Jennifer Tucker, Phone: 202 720-3252.
    RIN: 0581-AD75
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

Proposed Rule Stage

10.  Branding Requirements for Bovines Imported Into the United 
States From Mexico

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1622; 7 U.S.C. 8301 to 8317; 21 U.S.C. 
136 and 136a; 31 U.S.C. 9701
    Abstract: This rulemaking would amend the regulations regarding the 
branding of bovines imported into the United States from Mexico. We are 
taking this action at the request of the Government of Mexico to 
address issues that have arisen with the branding requirement for these 
bovines. The changes we are proposing would help prevent 
inconsistencies in branding that can result in bovines being rejected 
for import into the United States.
    Timetable:

[[Page 27095]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   04/12/18  83 FR 15756
NPRM Comment Period End.............   06/11/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Betzaida Lopez, Senior Staff Veterinarian, National 
Import Export Services, VS, Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant 
Health Inspection Service, 4700 River Road, Unit 39, Riverdale, MD 
20737, Phone: 301 851-3300.
    RIN: 0579-AE38

11.  Removal of Emerald Ash Borer Domestic Quarantine 
Regulations

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: 7 U.S.C. 7701 to 7772; 7 U.S.C. 7781 to 7786
    Abstract: This rulemaking would remove the domestic quarantine 
regulations for the plant pest emerald ash borer. This action would 
discontinue the domestic regulatory component of the emerald ash borer 
program as a means to more effectively direct available resources 
toward management and containment of the pest. Funding previously 
allocated to the implementation and enforcement of these domestic 
quarantine regulations would instead be directed to a non-regulatory 
option of research into, and deployment of, biological control agents 
for emerald ash borer, which would serve as the primary tool to 
mitigate and control the pest.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   07/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Robyn Rose, National Policy Manager, PPQ, 
Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, 
4700 River Road, Unit 26, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231, Phone: 301 851-
2283.
    RIN: 0579-AE42

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

Final Rule Stage

12. 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; 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..........................   09/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

13. 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 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..........................   07/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

14. 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

[[Page 27096]]

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..........................   07/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

15. 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 Rule..........................   09/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

16. Animal Welfare; Establishing De Minimis Exemptions From Licensing

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: 7 U.S.C. 2131 to 2159
    Abstract: In the 2014 Farm Bill, Congress amended the Animal 
Welfare Act (AWA) to provide the Secretary of Agriculture with the 
authority to determine what facilities and activities involving AWA-
regulated animals are de minimis and therefore exempt from licensure 
and oversight. We are amending the AWA regulations to enact this new 
provision. This change provides APHIS with the flexibility to exempt 
from licensing those dealers and exhibitors who provide adequate levels 
of humane care to their animals, allowing us to target our enforcement 
resources where they are most needed. Dealers and exhibitors operating 
at or below the threshold will be exempted from APHIS licensing and 
oversight under the AWA.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   08/04/16  81 FR 51386
NPRM Comment Period End.............   11/02/16  .......................
Final Rule..........................   06/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Kay Carter-Corker, Director, National Policy Staff, 
Animal Care, Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service, 4700 River Road, Unit 84, Riverdale, MD 20737, 
Phone: 301 851-3748.
    RIN: 0579-AD99

17. 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
NPRM Comment Period End.............   11/03/15  .......................
Final Rule..........................   06/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

18. Conditions for Payment of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza 
Indemnity Claims

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Other.
    Legal Authority: 7 U.S.C. 8301 to 8317
    Abstract: We are adopting as a final rule, with changes, an interim 
rule that amended the regulations pertaining to certain diseases of 
livestock and poultry to specify conditions for payment of indemnity 
claims for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The interim rule 
provided a formula allowing us to split such payments between poultry 
and egg owners and parties with which the owners enter into contracts 
to raise or care for the eggs or poultry based on the proportion of the 
production cycle completed. That action was necessary to ensure that 
all contractors are

[[Page 27097]]

compensated appropriately. The interim rule also clarified an existing 
policy regarding the payment of indemnity for eggs destroyed due to 
HPAI and required a statement from owners and contractors, unless 
specifically exempted, indicating that at the time of detection of HPAI 
in their facilities, they had in place and were following a biosecurity 
plan aimed at keeping HPAI from spreading to commercial premises.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interim Final Rule..................   02/09/16  81 FR 6745
Interim Final Rule Effective........   02/09/16  .......................
Interim Final Rule Comment Period      04/11/16  .......................
 End.
Final Rule..........................   10/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Troy Bigelow, Senior Staff Veterinarian, 
Surveillance, Preparedness and Response Services, VS, Department of 
Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Federal 
Building, Room 891, 210 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50309, Phone: 515 
284-4121.
    RIN: 0579-AE14

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

Completed Actions

19. Restructuring of Regulations on the Importation of Plants for 
Planting

    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; 31 U.S.C. 9701
    Abstract: We are consolidating the regulations governing the 
importation of all plants for planting under the ``plants for 
planting'' regulations and adding prohibited plants for planting to the 
list of plants whose importation is not authorized pending pest risk 
analysis. This consolidation will move restrictions on the importation 
of specific types of plants for planting from the regulations to the 
Plants for Planting Manual (PPM). Under the rule, changes to these 
restrictions will be made after taking public comment on notices 
published in the Federal Register, rather than through proposed rules 
and final rules as we currently do. As part of this consolidation, we 
are removing several lists of approved items (for example, the lists of 
approved growing media, packing materials, and ports of entry) from the 
regulations; these lists will be provided to the public in the PPM. We 
proposed to update these lists, when necessary, using the same sort of 
notice-based process as will be used to update restrictions on specific 
types of plants for planting. We are also establishing a framework for 
the use of integrated pest risk management measures (IPRMS) in the 
production of specific types of plants for planting for importation 
into the United States, when the pest risk associated with the 
importation of a type of plants for planting can only be addressed 
through the use of integrated measures. This action does not make any 
major changes to the restrictions that currently apply to the 
importation of plants for planting. These changes will make 
restrictions on the importation of specific types of plants for 
planting easier for readers to find and allow us to more easily make 
changes.
    Completed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Reason                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final Rule..........................   03/19/18  83 FR 11845
Final Rule Effective................   04/18/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Shailaja Rabindran, Phone: 301 851-2167.
    RIN: 0579-AD75

20. Importation of Campanula Spp. Plants for Planting in Approved 
Growing Media From Denmark to the 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 regulations governing the 
importation of plants for planting to authorize the importation of 
Campanula spp. plants for planting from Denmark in approved growing 
media into the United States, subject to a systems approach. The 
systems approach will consist of measures that are currently specified 
in the regulations as generally applicable to all plants for planting 
authorized importation into the United States in approved growing 
media. This action will allow for the importation of Campanula spp. 
plants for planting from Denmark in approved growing media, while 
providing protection against the introduction of plant pests.
    Completed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Reason                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final Rule..........................   03/15/18  83 FR 11395
Final Rule Effective................   04/16/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Narasimha Samboju, Phone: 301 851-2038.
    RIN: 0579-AE31
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)

Final Rule Stage

21. 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.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   03/28/16  81 FR 17337
NPRM Comment Period End.............   06/27/16  .......................
Final Action........................   05/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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. 2018-11232 Filed 6-8-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P