Agricultural Law Weekly Review—February 6, 2020

Pesticides: EPA Issues Interim Glyphosate Registration Review Decision
On February 3, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published notice of the availability of EPA’s interim registration review decision for glyphosate under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).  According to EPA’s decision, glyphosate is “not likely to be carcinogenic to humans.”

• FIFRA requires that a federal pesticide registration be reviewed at least every 15 years to ensure the pesticide performs its intended function without “unreasonable adverse effects on the environment,” measured as “any unreasonable risk to man or the environment” or the existence of “a human dietary risk from residues.”
• The EPA registration review decision process for glyphosate has been on-going since 2009 at EPA Docket Number EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0361.
• It has included: a draft human health and/or ecological risk assessment published on February 27, 2018; a proposed interim registration review decision published on May 6, 2019 and public comment until September 3, 2019; and the publication of the interim registration review decision, accompanied by EPA’s formal response to public comments and an epidemiological review of scientific literature linking glyphosate to occurrences of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
• The EPA notice states the “registration review case docket for glyphosate will remain open until all actions required in the interim decision have been completed.”
• Those required actions consist of an endangered species determination under the Endangered Species Act and the resolution of a 2018 petition filed with EPA by an environmental group and numerous food manufacturers and retailers to lower the glyphosate tolerance levels in oats from 30 ppm to 0.1 ppm and to require labeling that prohibits its preharvest use on oats.

Pesticides: EPA Issues Proposed Interim Neonicotinoids Registration Review Decisions
On February 3, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published notice of the availability of EPA’s proposed interim registration review decisions for five neonicotinoid pesticides under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).  Each proposed decision has a public comment period closing on April 3, 2020.

• The proposed decisions reiterate that neonicotinoids’ registered uses pose potential risks to bees and makes various recommendations for changes in labeling and application methodologies.
• It also proposes advisory label language stating, “This product is moderately toxic to bees and other pollinating insects exposed to direct treatment, or to residues in/on blooming crops or weeds. Protect pollinating insects by following label directions intended to minimize drift and reduce risk to these organisms.”
• The proposed interim decisions concerning the following neonicotinoids are filed to the following EPA docket numbers: acetamiprid (EPA-HQ-OPP-2012-0329), clothianidin (EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0865), dinotefuran (EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0920), imidacloprid (EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0844), and thiamethoxam (EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0581).  The five decisions are also all contained on EPA’s pollinator protection webpage.
• FIFRA requires that a federal pesticide registration be reviewed at least every 15 years to ensure the pesticide performs its intended function without “unreasonable adverse effects on the environment,” measured as “any unreasonable risk to man or the environment” or the existence of “a human dietary risk from residues.”
• The EPA registration review decision process for these five neonicotinoids has been on-going for close to ten years.  It has included: human health and non-pollinator risk assessments issued in 2017 and 2018; a pollinator risk/benefit assessment in late 2017 at EPA-HQ-OPP-2017-001; public comment periods for each assessment; and the proposed interim registration review decisions, accompanied by EPA’s formal response to public comments.
• All relevant documents are available at regulations.gov at the above-referenced docket numbers.
• The decisions have been issued pending the completion of an evaluation of endocrine disruption in humans and wildlife, and an Endangered Species Act assessment.

Industrial Hemp:  USDA Approves Three More State Hemp Production Plans
On January 28, 2020, USDA updated its website to reflect approval of three additional state hemp production plans for: Delaware, Nebraska, Texas. This is in addition to previously-approved plans from Louisiana, New Jersey and Ohio.  Oregon, Tennessee, Connecticut are listed as “Pending Resubmission,” which means “USDA has received a plan but returned the plan to the State or Tribal government for edits or amendments to ensure regulatory compliance and consistency.”

From National Ag Law Authorities & Sources:
Brigit Rollins, The Deal With Dicamba: Part Two (January 29, 2020).
Brigit Rollins, Biofuels Benefit: Renewable Fuels Prevail in Court (January 31, 2020).

Penn State Research & News:
The Medical Minute: Is ‘impossible’ meat too good to be true? (January 29, 2020).
Jeff Mulhollem Emerging organic contaminant levels greatly influenced by stream flows, seasons (January 29, 2020).
Gail McCormick, Herringbone pattern in plant cell walls critical to cell growth (February 4, 2020). 

AGENCY PRESS RELEASES—STATE/FEDERAL
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Press Releases:
Mifflin County Resident Named 2020 Pennsylvania Fair Queen (January 29, 2020).

U.S. Department of Agriculture Press Releases:
USDA Invests $2.4 Million in Broadband for Rural Washington Communities (January 29, 2020).
USDA Invests $55.3 Million in Broadband for Rural Kentucky and Tennessee Communities (January 29, 2020).
Secretary Perdue Statement on USMCA Signing (January 29, 2020).
USDA Invests $1.6 Million in Broadband for Rural Arizona Communities (January 29, 2020).
USDA Invests Nearly $10 Million for Broadband in Maine’s Rural, Coastal and Island Communities (January 30, 2020).
USDA Invests $10.3 Million in Broadband for Rural New York Communities (February 3, 2020).
USDA Issues Third Tranche of 2019 MFP Payments (February 3, 2020).
USDA Invests $13.3 Million in Rural Broadband for Southeastern Oklahoma (February 4, 2020).

STATE ACTIONS—EXECUTIVE/LEGISLATIVE
Pennsylvania Executive Agencies—Actions and Notices:
Delaware River Basin Commission
50 Pa.B. 673 “Public Hearing and Business Meeting [Wednesday, February 12, 2020]” Notice (February 1, 2020).

Department of Agriculture
50 Pa.B. 675 “General Quarantine Order; Scrapie” Notice (February 1, 2020).
50 Pa.B. 678 “Interstate/International Quarantine Order; Scrapie” Notice (February 1, 2020).

Pennsylvania Legislature
S.B. 679 “An Act amending the act of November 26, 1978 (P.L.1375, No.325), known as the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act, further providing for definitions; and providing for programs for removing obstructions and flood-related hazards on streams,” Re-reported as committed [Senate] (January 28, 2020).
S.B. 485 “An Act amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in hunting and furtaking licenses, further providing for authorized license-issuing agents,” Laid on the table [Senate] (January 28, 2020).
S.B. 1026 “An Act amending the act of May 1, 1933 (P.L.103, No.69), known as The Second Class Township Code, in storm water management plans and facilities, further providing for fees [‘Stormwater Fee Protections for Farms’]” Referred to Local Government [Senate] (January 31, 2020).
H.B. 2253 “An Act amending the act of July 28, 1953 (P.L.723, No.230), known as the Second Class County Code, in Allegheny Regional Asset District, further providing for imposition of sales and use tax [‘Reforming the Sales Tax; Reducing Rate from 6% to 1.9%’]” Referred to Finance [House] (January 31, 2020).
S.B. 1030 “An Act amending [1965 P.L.1535, No.537] known as the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act, further providing for official plan” Referred to Environmental Resources and Energy [Senate] (February 3, 2020).
H.B. 617 “An Act amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in hunting and furtaking licenses, providing for a volunteer instructor license” Re-referred to Appropriations [Senate] (February 3, 2020).
S.B. 114 “An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in miscellaneous provisions, further providing for snow and ice dislodged or falling from moving vehicle” Laid on Table [House] (February 3, 2020).
H.Res. 605 “A Resolution designating the week of February 22 through 29, 2020, as ‘FFA Week’ in Pennsylvania” Adopted [House] (February 3, 2020).
H.B. 2018 “An Act authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to the borough of Plymouth a permanent storm water drainage easement in Plymouth Borough, Luzerne County” Third consideration and Final Passage [House] (February 3, 2020).
H.B. 1755 “An Act amending [P.L.547, No.217], known as the Conservation District Law, providing for legislative report” Third consideration and Final Passage [House] (February 3, 2020).
H.B. 1584 “An Act amending Title 30 (Fish) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, repealing provisions relating to waterways patrolmen and employees” Re-committed to Appropriations [House] (February 3, 2020).
H.B. 188 “An Act providing for property owner’s bill of rights statement” Removed from Table [House] (February 3, 2020).

FEDERAL ACTIONS—EXECUTIVE/LEGISLATIVE
Federal Executive Agencies—Actions and Notices:
Agricultural Department
85 FR 5367 “Information Collection; Improving Customer Experience (OMB Circular A-11, Section 280 Implementation)” Notice—Comment Period (January 30, 2020).
85 FR 5928 “Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request [Farm Service Agency; Application for Payment of Amounts Due Persons Who Have Died, Disappeared or Declared Incompetent]” Notice (February 3, 2020).
85 FR 6141 “Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request [National Animal Health Monitoring System; Health Management on U.S. Feedlots 2020]” Notice—Comments Requested (February 4, 2020).

Agricultural Marketing Service
85 FR 5190 “Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request [Permit to Obtain Specimens of Condemned or Other Inedible Materials from Official Establishments; Permit to Transport Undenatured Inedible Meat Products]” Notice—Comments Requested (January 29, 2020).
85 FR 5299 “Fees for Rice Inspection Services and Removal of Specific Fee References” Notice (January 30, 2020).
85 FR 5927 “National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard; Draft Instructions on Testing Methods” Notice—Comment Period (February 3, 2020).
85 FR 6102 “Tart Cherries Grown in the States of Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin; Continuance Referendum” Proposed Rule (February 4, 2020).

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
85 FR 5611 “Addition of the Philippines to the List of Regions Affected With African Swine Fever” Notice (January 31, 2020).
85 FR 5612 “Import Requirements for the Importation of Unshu Oranges From Japan Into the United States” Notice (January 31, 2020).
85 FR 5611 “Environmental Impact Statement; Rangeland Grasshopper and Mormon Cricket Suppression Program: Record of Decision” Notice (January 31, 2020).
85 FR 5928 “International Trade Data System: Timeline for Enforcing APHIS Core Message Set Flags in the Automated Commercial Environment” Notice—Comment Period (February 3, 2020).

Engineers Corps
85 FR 5404 “Inland Waterways Users Board Meeting Notice [February 19, 2020]” Notice (January 30, 2020).

Environmental Protection Agency
85 FR 5955 “Proposed Consent Decree, Clean Water Act and Administrative Procedures Act Claims” Notice—Comment Period (February 3, 2020).
85 FR 5953 “Pesticide Registration Review; Proposed Interim Decisions for Several Neonicotinoid Pesticides; Notice of Availability” Notice—Comment Period (February 3, 2020).
85 FR 5952 “Pesticide Registration Review; Interim Decisions and Case Closures for Several Pesticides; Notice of Availability” Notice (February 3, 2020).
85 FR 5957 “Pesticide Registration Review; Interim Decision for Glyphosate; Notice of Availability” Notice (February 3, 2020).
85 FR 6169 “Notice of Receipt of Requests To Voluntarily Cancel Certain Pesticide Registrations and Amend Registrations To Terminate Certain Uses” Notice—Comment Period (February 4, 2020).
85 FR 6166 “Notice of Receipt of Requests To Voluntarily Cancel Certain Pesticide Registrations and Amend Registrations To Terminate Certain Uses” Notice—Comment Period (February 4, 2020).
85 FR 6165 “Pesticide Registration Review; Proposed Interim Decisions for Several Pesticides; Notice of Availability” Notice—Comment Period (February 4, 2020).
85 FR 6155 “Pesticide Registration Review; Pesticide Dockets Opened for Review and Comment; Notice of Availability” Notice—Comment Period (February 4, 2020).
85 FR 6154 “Pesticide Registration Review; Draft Human Health and/or Ecological Risk Assessments for Several Pesticides; Notice of Availability” Notice—Comment Period (February 4, 2020).
85 FR 6173 “Pesticide Product Registration; Receipt of Applications for New Active Ingredients (November 2019)” Notice—Comment Period (February 4, 2020).
85 FR 6157 “Pesticide Maintenance Fee; Product Cancellation Order for Certain Pesticide Registrations” Notice (February 4, 2020).
85 FR 6129 “Receipt of Several Pesticide Petitions Filed for Residues of Pesticide Chemicals in or on Various Commodities (November 2019)” Proposed Rule—Comment Period (February 4, 2020).
85 FR 6123 “Air Plan Approval; Missouri; Control of Emissions From Production of Pesticides and Herbicides” Proposed Rule—Comment Period (February 4, 2020).

Federal Emergency Management Agency
85 FR 5971 “Changes in Flood Hazard Determinations [AZ, CA, FL, HI, ID, IL, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NV, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OR, TX, WA, WI, WY]” Notice (February 3, 2020).
85 FR 5976 “Changes in Flood Hazard Determinations [AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, ME, MD, MA, NM, PA, TX, UT, VA]” Notice (February 3, 2020).

Fish and Wildlife Service
85 FR 5182 “Revision of Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp) Contest Regulations” Notice—Comment Period (January 29, 2020).
85 FR 5687 “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Recovery Permit Applications” Notice—Comment Period (January 31, 2020).
85 FR 5915 “Regulations Governing Take of Migratory Birds” Proposed Rule—Comment Period (February 3, 2020).
85 FR 5913 “Migratory Bird Permits; Regulations Governing Take of Migratory Birds; Environmental Impact Statement” Proposed Rule—Comment Period (February 3, 2020).
85 FR 6212 “Agency Information Collection Activities; Endangered and Threatened Wildlife, Experimental Populations” Notice—Comment Period (February 4, 2020).

Food and Drug Administration
85 FR 5555 “Food Additive Regulations; Synthetic Flavoring Agents and Adjuvants; Confirmation of Effective Date” Rule (January 31, 2020).
85 FR 6045 “Food Labeling: Revision of the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels; Small Entity Compliance Guide; Availability” Rule (February 4, 2020).

Food and Nutrition Service
85 FR 5369 “Summer Food Service Program 2020 Reimbursement Rates” Notice (January 30, 2020).
85 FR 5368 “Request for Information: WIC National Universal Product Code Database Next Steps” Notice—Comment Period (January 30, 2020).

Forest Service
85 FR 5615 “Land Between the Lakes Advisory Board [Renewal]” Notice (January 31, 2020).

Indian Affairs Bureau
85 FR 5230 “Submission to [OMB]for Review and Approval; Grazing Permits” Notice—Comment Period (January 29, 2020).

National Park Service
85 FR 5699 “Submission to the [OMB] for Review and Approval; Land and Water Conservation Fund State Assistance Program” Notice—Comment Period (January 31, 2020).

U.S. Codex Office
85 FR 5929 “Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues” Notice (February 3, 2020).

U.S. House Agriculture Committee Actions:
H.R.4246 “To amend the Commodity Exchange Act to clarify the venue for judicial review of Commission rules, and for other purposes” Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit (January 23, 2020).
H.R.4357 “Special Forest Products Program Reauthorization Act of 2019” Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry (January 23, 2020).
H.R.2795 “Wildlife Corridors Conservation Act of 2019” Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Discharged (January 29, 2020).
H.R.5179 “Tribal Wildlife Corridors Act of 2019” Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States Discharged (January 29, 2020).
H.R.5430 “United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act” Became Public Law No: 116-113 (January 29, 2020).
H.R.5699 “Voluntary Checkoff Program Participation Act” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (January 29, 2020).
H.R.5705 “Increasing Access and Multiple Use Act of 2020” Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Agriculture (January 29, 2020).
H.R.5715 “Petfax Act of 2020” Referred to the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Energy and Commerce (January 30, 2020).
H.R.5719 “To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to modify the standards to determine eligibility to receive supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits; and for other purposes” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (January 30, 2020).
H.R.5728 “Food Safety Modernization for Innovative Technologies Act” Referred to the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Energy and Commerce (January 30, 2020).
H.R.5730 “National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza Update Act” Referred to Committees on Energy and Commerce; Armed Services; Foreign Affairs; Intelligence; and Agriculture (January 30, 2020).
H.R.5744 “Clearing Lines along Electrical At-Risk Zones Act” Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Agriculture (February 3, 2020).

U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, And Forestry Committee Actions:
No new actions Jan. 29–Feb.4, 2020

S.3221 “Farm System Reform Act of 2019” Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (January 21, 2020).

Follow us on Twitter at PSU Ag & Shale Law (@AgShaleLaw) to receive AgLaw HotLinks
Jan. 29–Feb.4, 2020 Top Tweets:
“NASDA comments on EPA’s pesticide rule changes” Feedstuffs
“Judge sides with state beef checkoff entities” Feedstuffs
“E.U. Farm Chief Pledges to Tackle Corruption in Subsidy Program” New York Times
“U.S. EPA reaffirms that glyphosate does not cause cancer” Reuters
“Are cell-based meats moving closer to commercialization?” Meat+Poultry
“Interim Hemp Rules Get Push Back” Brownfield
“Update on Borden Dairy’s financial reorganization” Morning AgClips
“US farm bankruptcies jumped 20 percent in 2019 despite federal aid” The Hill
“Wisconsin Farm Groups Applaud Special Session Bills Focused On Improving Outcomes For Farmers” Wisconsin Public Radio

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Written by:
Brook Duer—Staff Attorney
Audry Thompson—Research Assistant