[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 166 (Wednesday, August 26, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 52669-52674]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-17333]



[[Page 52669]]

Vol. 85

Wednesday,

No. 166

August 26, 2020

Part III





 Department of Agriculture





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Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

  Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 166 / Wednesday, August 26, 2020 / 
UA: Reg Flex Agenda  

[[Page 52670]]


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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 2020

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,'' 
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 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 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: March 5, 2020.
Michael Poe,
Legislative and Regulatory Staff.
    The Department of Agriculture authorizes Alvin Harrod of RISC to 
digitally sign for our agency as USDA is not equipped to technically do 
digitally signing at this time. USDA acknowledges that RISC will 
include USDAs Preamble and Unified Agenda Entries containing a RISC 
digital signature in the Unified Agenda related to documents that RISC 
publishes on our behalf.

Alvin Harrod (Digital Signature)
Program Analyst.

           Agricultural Marketing Service--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.........................  NOP; Strengthening Organic         0581-AD09
                             Enforcement.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


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


            Agricultural Marketing Service--Long-Term Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.........................  Establishment of a                 0581-AD82
                             Domestic Hemp Production
                             Program.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


     Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.........................  National List of                   0579-AE39
                             Reportable Animal
                             Diseases.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


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

[[Page 52671]]

 
6.........................  Brucellosis and Bovine             0579-AD65
                             Tuberculosis; Update of
                             Import Provisions.
7.........................  Removal of Emerald Ash             0579-AE42
                             Borer Domestic Quarantine
                             Regulations.
8.........................  Importation, Interstate            0579-AE47
                             Movement, and Release
                             Into the Environment of
                             Certain Genetically
                             Engineered Organisms.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


      Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service--Long-Term Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
9.........................  Handling of Animals;               0579-AC69
                             Contingency Plans.
10........................  Importation of Fresh               0579-AD95
                             Citrus Fruit From the
                             Republic of South Africa
                             Into the Continental
                             United States.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


      Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service--Completed Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
11........................  Importation of Wood                0579-AD28
                             Packaging Material From
                             Canada.
12........................  Lacey Act Implementation           0579-AD44
                             Plan: De Minimis
                             Exception.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

Proposed Rule Stage

1. NOP; Strengthening Organic Enforcement

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
    Legal Authority: 7 U.S.C. 6501
    Abstract: The Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) rulemaking 
will address 2018 Farm Bill mandates. In summary, SOE will propose the 
following requirements that align with the Farm Bill:
     Limiting the types of operations in the organic supply 
chain that are not required to obtain organic certification;
     Imported organic products must be accompanied by an 
electronic import certificate to validate organic status;
     Import certificates will be submitted to the U.S. Customs 
and Border Protection's Automated Commercial Environment (ACE);
     Certifying agents must notify USDA within 90 days of the 
opening of any new office that conducts certification activities; and,
     Entities acting on behalf of certifying agents may be 
suspended when there is noncompliant activity.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   06/00/20  .......................
Final Rule..........................   10/00/20  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Jennifer Tucker, Deputy Administrator, USDA 
National Organic Program, Department of Agriculture, Agricultural 
Marketing Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250, 
Phone: 202 260-8077.
    RIN: 0581-AD09

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

Final Rule Stage

2. 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 final rule amends the regulations issued under the 
Packers and Stockyards Act (P&S Act) by adding new regulations that 
specify the 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................................   01/13/20  85 FR 1771
NPRM Comment Period End.............   03/13/20  .......................
Final Rule..........................   08/00/20  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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)

Long-Term Actions

3. Establishment of a Domestic Hemp Production Program

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621

[[Page 52672]]

    Abstract: This action will initiate a new part 990 establishing 
rules and regulations for the domestic production of hemp. This action 
is required to implement provisions of the Agriculture Improvement Act 
of 2018 (Farm Bill).
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interim Final Rule..................   10/31/19  84 FR 58522
Interim Final Rule Effective-10/31/    10/31/19  .......................
 2019 thru 11/01/2021.
Comment Period Extended.............   12/18/19  84 FR 69295
Comment Period End..................   01/29/20  .......................
Final Rule..........................   10/00/21  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Sonia Jimenez, Phone: 202 720-4722, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 0581-AD82

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

Proposed Rule Stage

4. National List of Reportable Animal Diseases

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Other.
    Legal Authority: 7 U.S.C. 8301 to 8317
    Abstract: This rulemaking would amend the animal disease 
regulations to provide for a National List of Reportable Animal 
Diseases, along with animal disease reporting responsibilities, to 
streamline State and Federal cooperative animal disease eradication 
efforts. This action would enhance and consolidate current disease 
reporting mechanisms, and would complement and supplement existing 
animal disease tracking and reporting at the State level.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   04/02/20  85 FR 18471
NPRM Comment Period End.............   06/01/20  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Rebecca Jones, Science, Technology, and Analysis 
Services, Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health, Department of 
Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, 2150 Centre 
Ave., Bldg. B, Fort Collins, CO 80526, Phone: 970 494-7196.
    RIN: 0579-AE39

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

Final Rule Stage

5. 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..........................   09/00/20  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

6. 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..........................   07/00/20  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

7. 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 will remove the domestic quarantine 
regulations for the plant pest emerald ash borer. This action will 
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 will instead be directed to a non-regulatory 
option of research into, and deployment of, biological control agents 
for emerald ash borer, which will 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  .......................
Final Rule..........................   08/00/20  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 52673]]

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Herbert Bolton, 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-
3594.
    RIN: 0579-AE42

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

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: 7 U.S.C. 7701 to 7772; 7 U.S.C. 7781 to 7786
    Abstract: APHIS is revising its regulations regarding the 
importation, interstate movement, and environmental release of certain 
genetically engineered organisms in order to update the regulations in 
response to advances in genetic engineering and APHIS' understanding of 
the plant health risk posed by genetically engineered organisms, 
thereby reducing the burden for regulated entities whose organisms pose 
no plant health risks.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   06/06/19  84 FR 26514
NPRM Comment Period End.............   08/05/19  .......................
Final Rule..........................   05/18/20  85 FR 29790
Final Rule Effective................   08/17/20  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Alan Pearson, Assistant Deputy Administrator, 
Biotechnology Regulatory Services, Department of Agriculture, Animal 
and Plant Health Inspection Service, 4700 River Road, Unit 98, 
Riverdale, MD 20737-1238, Phone: 301 851-3944.
    RIN: 0579-AE47

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

Long-Term Actions

9. Handling of Animals; Contingency Plans

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Fully or Partially Exempt.
    Legal Authority: 7 U.S.C. 2131 to 2159.
    Abstract: This rulemaking would amend the Animal Welfare Act 
regulations to add requirements for contingency planning and training 
of personnel by research facilities and by dealers, exhibitors, 
intermediate handlers, and carriers. This action would heighten the 
awareness of licensees and registrants regarding their responsibilities 
and help ensure a timely and appropriate response should an emergency 
or disaster occur.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   10/23/08  73 FR 63085
NPRM Comment Period End.............   12/22/08  .......................
NPRM Comment Period Extended........   12/19/08  73 FR 77554
NPRM Comment Period Extended End....   02/20/09  .......................
Final Rule..........................   12/31/12  77 FR 76815
Final Rule Effective................   01/30/13  .......................
Final Rule--Stay of Regulations.....   07/31/13  78 FR 46255
Final Rule Effective--Stay of          07/31/13  .......................
 Regulations.
                                     -----------------------------------
NPRM................................           To Be Determined
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Jeanie Lin, Phone: 919 855-7097.
    RIN: 0579-AC69

10. 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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

Completed Actions

11. Importation of Wood Packaging Material From Canada

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
    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 would have amended the regulations for 
the importation of unmanufactured wood articles with regard to the 
exemption that allows wood packaging material from Canada to enter the 
United States without first meeting the treatment and marking 
requirements of the regulations that apply to wood packaging material 
from all other countries. We are withdrawing the action because of the 
age of the supporting materials that informed the proposed rule.
    Completed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Reason                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Withdrawn...........................   05/01/20  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: John Tyrone Jones, Phone: 301 851-2344
    RIN: 0579-AD28

12. 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

[[Page 52674]]

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.
    Completed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Reason                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final Rule..........................   03/02/20  85 FR 12207
Final Action Effective..............   04/01/20  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Dorothy Wayson, Phone: 301 851-2036.
    RIN: 0579-AD44

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

Forest Service (FS)

Long-Term Actions

13. 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 market value. Updated rental fees that 
exceed 100 percent of current rental fees would be phased in over a 3-
year period.
    Timetable:

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

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Edwina Howard-Agu, Phone: 202 205-1419, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 0596-AD43

[FR Doc. 2020-17333 Filed 8-25-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-14-P