[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 247 (Thursday, December 26, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 71099-71104]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-26534]



[[Page 71099]]

Vol. 84

Thursday,

No. 247

December 26, 2019

Part III





Department of Agriculture





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Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

  Federal Register / Vol. 84 , No. 247 / Thursday, December 26, 2019 / 
UA: Reg Flex Agenda  

[[Page 71100]]


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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 2019

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, USDA.

ACTION: Semiannual regulatory agenda.

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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: July 31, 2019.
Michael Poe,
Legislative and Regulatory Staff.

           Agricultural Marketing Service--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
165.......................  Undue and Unreasonable             0581-AD81
                             Preferences and
                             Advantages Under the
                             Packers and Stockyards
                             Act.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


            Agricultural Marketing Service--Final Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
166.......................  Establishment of a                 0581-AD82
                             Domestic Hemp Production
                             Program (Reg Plan Seq No.
                             1).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
References in boldface appear in The Regulatory Plan in part II of this
  issue of the Federal Register.


            Agricultural Marketing Service--Completed Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
167.......................  Establishment of a Milk            0581-AD87
                             Donation Program.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                 Farm Service Agency--Completed Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
168.......................  Emergency Forest                   0560-AH89
                             Restoration Program.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


      Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service--Final Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
169.......................  Bovine Spongiform                  0579-AD10
                             Encephalopathy and
                             Scrapie; Importation of
                             Small Ruminants and Their
                             Germplasm, Products, and
                             Byproducts.

[[Page 71101]]

 
170.......................  Lacey Act Implementation           0579-AD44
                             Plan: De Minimis
                             Exception.
171.......................  Brucellosis and Bovine             0579-AD65
                             Tuberculosis; Update of
                             Import Provisions.
172.......................  Importation, Interstate            0579-AE47
                             Movement, and Release
                             Into the Environment of
                             Certain Genetically
                             Engineered Organisms (Reg
                             Plan Seq No. 2).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
References in boldface appear in The Regulatory Plan in part II of this
  issue of the Federal Register.


      Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service--Long-Term Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
173.......................  Importation of Fresh               0579-AD95
                             Citrus Fruit From the
                             Republic of South Africa
                             Into the Continental
                             United States.
174.......................  Removal of Emerald Ash             0579-AE42
                             Borer Domestic Quarantine
                             Regulations.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


      Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service--Completed Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
175.......................  Plant Pest Regulations;            0579-AC98
                             Update of General
                             Provisions.
176.......................  Livestock Marketing                0579-AE02
                             Facilities.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                    Forest Service--Long-Term Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
177.......................  Special Uses--                     0596-AD43
                             Communications Uses Rent.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

Proposed Rule Stage

165. Undue and Unreasonable Preferences and Advantages Under the 
Packers and Stockyards Act

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
    Legal Authority: Pub. L. 110-234
    Abstract: This action would invite comments on proposed revisions 
to regulations issued under the Packers and Stockyards Act (P&S Act). 
The revisions would specify criteria the Secretary could consider in 
determining whether conduct or action by packers, swine contractors, or 
live poultry dealers constitutes an undue or unreasonable preference or 
advantage and a violation of the P&S Act.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   11/00/19
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Michael V. Durando, Associate Deputy Administrator, 
Fair Trade Practices Program, Department of Agriculture, Agricultural 
Marketing Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-
0237, Phone: 202 720-0219.
    RIN: 0581-AD81

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

Final Rule Stage

166. Establishment of a Domestic Hemp Production Program

    Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 1 in part II of this issue 
of the Federal Register.
    RIN: 0581-AD82

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

Completed Actions

167. Establishment of a Milk Donation Program

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Other.
    Legal Authority: Pub. L. 104-127
    Abstract: This action begins the rulemaking process to establish a 
Milk Donation Program as mandated by the Agriculture Improvement Act of 
2018 (2018 Farm Bill). The proposed program would allow milk processors 
who account to Federal milk marketing orders (FMMO) to claim limited 
reimbursements for the cost of farm milk used to make donated fluid 
milk products. Under the program, processors would partner with non-
profit organizations to distribute the donated products to individuals 
in low-income groups.
    Completed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Reason                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final Rule..........................   09/05/19  84 FR 46653
Final Rule Effective................   09/16/19  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Erin Taylor, Phone: 202 720-7311, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 0581-AD87

BILLING CODE 3410-02-P


[[Page 71102]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

Farm Service Agency (FSA)

Completed Actions

168. Emergency Forest Restoration Program

    E.O. 13771 Designation:
    Legal Authority: Pub. L. 110-246
    Abstract: The interim rule published on November 17, 2010, added a 
new subpart regulations in 7 CFR part 701 to implement the Emergency 
Forest Restoration Program (EFRP), which was authorized by the 2008 
Farm Bill. EFRP provides cost-share funding to owners of nonindustrial 
private forest land to restore the land after the land is damaged by a 
natural disaster.
    Completed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Reason                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Completion of Interim Rule   09/10/19  84 FR 47405
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Deirdre Holder, Phone: 202 205-5851, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 0560-AH89

BILLING CODE 3410-05-P

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

Final Rule Stage

169. 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: We are amending the regulations governing the importation 
of animals and animal products to revise conditions for the importation 
of live sheep, goats, and certain other non-bovine ruminants, and 
products derived from sheep and goats, with regard to transmissible 
spongiform encephalopathies such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy 
(BSE) and scrapie. We are removing BSE-related import restrictions on 
sheep and goats and most of their products, and adding import 
restrictions related to transmissible spongiform encephalopathies for 
certain wild, zoological, or other non-bovine ruminant species. The 
conditions we are adopting for the importation of specified commodities 
are based on internationally accepted scientific literature and will, 
in general, align our regulations with guidelines established in the 
World Organization for Animal Health's Terrestrial Animal Health Code.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   07/18/16  81 FR 46619
NPRM Comment Period End.............   09/16/16  .......................
Final Rule..........................   02/00/20  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

170. Lacey Act Implementation Plan: De Minimis Exception

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 3371 et seq.
    Abstract: The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 amended 
the Lacey Act to provide, among other things, that importers submit a 
declaration at the time of importation for certain plants and plant 
products. The declaration requirement of the Lacey Act became effective 
on December 15, 2008, and enforcement of that requirement is being 
phased in. We are amending the regulations to establish an exception to 
the declaration requirement for products containing a minimal amount of 
plant materials. This action would relieve the burden on importers 
while continuing to ensure that the declaration requirement fulfills 
the purposes of the Lacey Act.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANPRM...............................   06/30/11  76 FR 38330
ANPRM Comment Period End............   08/29/11  .......................
NPRM................................   07/09/18  83 FR 31697
NPRM Comment Period End.............   09/07/18  .......................
Final Rule..........................   01/00/20  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Dorothy Wayson, National Program Coordinator, Lacey 
Act Program, Compliance and Environmental Coordination, PPQ, Department 
of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, 4700 River 
Road, Unit 150, Riverdale, MD 20737, Phone: 301 851-2036.
    RIN: 0579-AD44

171. Brucellosis and Bovine Tuberculosis; Update of Import Provisions

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Other.
    Legal Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1622; 7 U.S.C. 8301 to 8317; 15 U.S.C. 
1828; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a; 31 U.S.C. 9701
    Abstract: We are amending the regulations governing the importation 
of cattle and bison with respect to bovine tuberculosis and 
brucellosis. The changes will make these requirements clearer and 
assure that they more effectively mitigate the risk of introduction of 
these diseases into the United States.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   12/16/15  80 FR 78461
NPRM Comment Period End.............   03/15/16  .......................
NPRM Comment Period Extended........   03/11/16  81 FR 12832
NPRM Comment Period Extended End....   05/16/16  .......................
NPRM--Partial Withdrawal............   03/27/19  84 FR 11448
Final Rule..........................   05/00/20  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Kelly Rhodes, Senior Staff Veterinarian, 
Regionalization Evaluation Services, VS, Department of Agriculture, 
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, 4700 River Road, Unit 38, 
Riverdale, MD 20737-1236, Phone: 301 851-3300.
    RIN: 0579-AD65

172. Importation, Interstate Movement, and Release Into the Environment 
of Certain Genetically Engineered Organisms

    Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 2 in part II of this issue 
of the Federal Register.
    RIN: 0579-AE47


[[Page 71103]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

Long-Term Actions

173. 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  .......................
Next Action Undetermined............
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Tony Rom[aacute]n, Phone: 301 851-2242.
    RIN: 0579-AD95

174. 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................................   09/19/18  83 FR 47310
NPRM Comment Period End.............   11/19/18  .......................
Next Action Undetermined............
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Robyn Rose, Phone: 301 851-2283.
    RIN: 0579-AE42

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

Completed Actions

175. 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 also adding criteria to the regulations for the 
importation, interstate movement, and release of biological control 
organisms. This final rule also establishes regulations to allow the 
interstate movement of certain plant pests and biological control 
organisms without restriction by granting exceptions from permit 
requirements for those pests and organisms. Finally, we are revising 
our regulations regarding the importation and interstate movement of 
soil. This rule clarifies the points that we will consider when 
assessing the risks associated with the movement and release of certain 
organisms and facilitates the movement of regulated organisms and 
articles in a manner that protects U.S. agriculture.
    Completed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Reason                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final Rule..........................   06/25/19  84 FR 29938
Final Rule Effective................   08/09/19  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Colin Stewart, Phone: 301 851-2237.
    RIN: 0579-AC98

176. Livestock Marketing Facilities

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: 7 U.S.C. 8301 to 8317
    Abstract: We are proposing to amend the regulations governing 
approval of facilities that receive livestock moved in interstate 
commerce. We are also proposing several amendments to the conditions 
under which livestock may move to such facilities without official 
identification or prior issuance of an interstate certificate of 
veterinary inspection or alternative documentation. These changes are 
necessary to update the regulations governing livestock marketing 
facilities, while also helping ensure animal disease traceability of 
livestock that are moved in interstate commerce to such facilities.
    Completed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Reason                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Withdrawn...........................   09/10/19  84 FR 47443
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Neil Hammerschmidt, Phone: 301 851-3539.
    RIN: 0579-AE02

BILLING CODE 3410-34-P

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

Forest Service (FS)

Long-Term Actions

177.  Special Uses--Communications Uses Rent

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
    Legal Authority: 43 U.S.C. 1761 to 1771
    Abstract: Consistent with the requirement in title V, section 
504(g) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, the proposed rule 
would update the Forest Service's rental fee schedule for 
communications uses based on fair market value. Updated rental fees 
that exceed 100 percent of current rental fees would be phased in over 
a 3-year period.
    Timetable:

[[Page 71104]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................           To Be Determined
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Edwina Howard-Agu, Regulatory Analyst, Department 
of Agriculture, Forest Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, 
Washington, DC 20250-0003, Phone: 202 205-1419, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 0596-AD43

[FR Doc. 2019-26534 Filed 12-23-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-18-P