January 21, 2025

Agricultural Law Weekly Review—January 21, 2025

THIS WEEK: Webinar on Jan. 24, 2025, Understanding the Basics of Pennsylvania’s Carbon Sequestration Law

NEW: Farmland Energy Podcast, The Inflation Reduction Act and Agriculture (Jan. 14, 2025)

Dairy Policy: USDA Publishes Final Rule Amending Federal Milk Marketing Order Pricing Provisions 🌾
On January 17, 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) published in the Federal Register a final rule (90 FR 6600) amending the pricing provisions in the 11 Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMOs) after “separate producer referenda held in each of the 11 FMMOs obtained the necessary two-thirds vote in favor of adoption of the amendments as proposed” (AMS-DA-23-0031). Also announced by USDA, the final rule and referenda results follow the National Federal Milk Marketing Order Pricing Formula Hearing, held August 23, 2023, to January 30, 2024. Additionally, USDA published an “explainer” document titled “Timeline for Changes to the Announcements for Advanced Prices and Pricing Factors and Class and Component Prices.” According to the announcement, the “rule will be effective June 1, 2025, for all changes, except for changes to the skim milk composition factors,” which “will be implemented Dec. 1, 2025.”

Avian Influenza: USDA Announces 6 More States Enrolled in National Testing Strategy, 36 Total States
On January 17, 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced the enrollment of six additional states in the National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS): Arkansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, and West Virginia. According to the announcement, NMTS enrollment now totals thirty-six states, which “will account for bulk milk tank samples from two-thirds of the nation’s dairy herds, or nearly three-quarters of the nation’s milk production.”

Packers and Stockyards Act: USDA Publishes Poultry Grower, Dealer Final Rule, Withdraws ‘Fair and Competitive Livestock and Poultry Markets’ Proposed Rule
On January 16, 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) published in the Federal Register a final rule (90 FR 5146), titled “Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Improvement Systems” (AMS-FTPP-22-0046 ). Also announced by USDA, the final rule establishes several requirements for live poultry dealers and agreements between dealers and broiler growers, including “prohibiting [dealers] from discounting or reducing a grower’s rate of compensation as disclosed in the broiler growing arrangement based on the grower’s grouping, ranking, or comparison to others” and “requiring [dealers] to provide growers with a Capital Improvement Disclosure Document when a [dealer] requests that a grower make an additional capital investment.” Additionally, USDA withdrew its July 2024 proposed rule (89 FR 53886), titled “Fair and Competitive Livestock and Poultry Markets.” USDA states, “Due to the complexity and length of time needed to finalize that regulation, USDA is withdrawing the proposal to preserve its ability to re-examine these important issues in the future and enable the Agency to explore with stakeholders regarding how best to implement the requirements of the Packers and Stockyards Act.” See also ALWR—June 17, 2024,“USDA Publishes Poultry Grower, Dealer Proposed Rule,” and ALWR—July 15, 2024,“USDA Publishes ‘Fair and Competitive Livestock and Poultry Markets’ Proposed Rule.”

Food Labeling: FDA Proposes New Rule to Require Front-of-Package Nutrition Labels
On January 16, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published in the Federal Register a proposed rule (90 FR 5426) to require front-of-package nutrition labeling on “most foods that must bear a Nutrition Facts label.” Also announced (PDF) by FDA, the proposed front-of-package labeling would require information on three nutrients which are “directly linked with chronic diseases when consumed in excess”—saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars—displayed “in a simple format showing whether the food has ‘Low,’ ‘Med’ or ‘High’ levels of these nutrients,” in addition to the nutrients’ daily value percentages. According to the proposed rule, if finalized, “businesses with $10 million or more in annual food sales” would need to comply within three years after the final rule’s effective date and “businesses with less than $10 million in annual food sales” would need to comply within four years. The proposed rule is available for public comment until May 16, 2025 (FDA-2024-N-2910).

Food Policy: FDA Revokes Authorization of Red No. 3 in Food and Ingested Drugs
On January 16, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published in the Federal Register a rule (90 FR 4628) “revoking the authorized uses in food and ingested drugs of FD&C Red No. 3,” which “has been primarily used in certain food products, such as candy, cakes and cupcakes, cookies, frozen desserts, and frostings and icings” (FDA-2023-N-0437). Also announced by FDA, the agency action is in response to a petition submitted by Center for Science in the Public Interest in November 2022 requesting agency review of the color additive under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act’s Delaney Clause, which “prohibits FDA authorization of a food additive or color additive if it has been found to induce cancer in humans or animals.” According to the announcement, “manufacturers who use FD&C Red No. 3 in food and ingested drugs will have until January 15, 2027 or January 18, 2028, respectively, to reformulate their products,” although “foods imported to the U.S. must comply with U.S. requirements.”

Conservation Programs: USDA Publishes Interim Rule on Technical Guidelines for Climate-Smart Biofuel Feedstocks
On January 17, 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published in the Federal Register an interim rule (90 FR 5497) to establish technical guidelines for climate-smart biofuel feedstocks for corn, soy, and sorghum. Also announced by USDA, the rule includes “practices that could reduce GHG emissions or sequester carbon, including reduced till and no-till; cover cropping; and nutrient management practices, such as the use of nitrification inhibitors” and “allows for adoption of [climate-smart agriculture] practices both individually or in combination.” The interim rule is available for public comment until March 18, 2025 (USDA-2024-0003). See also National Agricultural Law Center partner article—Kristine A. Tidgren, USDA Issues Interim Guidance for Biofuel Feedstocks Grown with Climate Smart Agriculture Practices, Iowa St. Univ. Ctr. Agric. Law & Tax’n (Jan. 16, 2025).

Environmental Policy: EPA Publishes Draft Sewage Sludge Risk Assessment for PFOA and PFOS
On January 15, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published in the Federal Register a notice (90 FR 3859) making available its draft sewage sludge risk assessment for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), which “reflects the agency’s latest scientific understanding of the potential risks to human health and the environment posed by . . . PFOA and PFOS in sewage sludge that is land applied as a soil conditioner or fertilizer . . . surface disposed . . . or incinerated.” Also announced by EPA, “the draft risk assessment indicates that, in some modeled scenarios, there could be human health risks . . . to those living on or near impacted farms or primarily relying on their products . . . if the impacted person consumes the modeled amounts of food or water from the . . . farms (e.g., drinking 32 ounces of milk per day, drinking 1 liter of water per day, eating 1 egg per day, or eating 1–2 servings of fish from the impacted waterbody per week).” Additionally, EPA published several accompanying documents on the draft risk assessment, including a fact sheet for farmers. The draft risk assessment is available for public comment until March 17, 2025 (EPA-HQ-OW-2024-0504).

Technology: FTC, Illinois and Minnesota File Antitrust Complaint Against Deere for ‘Service ADVISOR’ Limited Distribution
On January 15, 2025, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the states of Illinois and Minnesota filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois alleging that Deere & Company has “unlawfully acquired and maintained monopoly power in the market for certain repair services” by limiting distribution of its fully-functional Service ADVISOR repair tool to only authorized dealers. Federal Trade Commission v. Deere & Company, No. 3:25-cv-50017. Also announced by the FTC, the complaint acknowledges that Deere makes available a separate repair tool, “Customer Service ADVISOR,” but states that the tool is “inferior” because “it is incapable of doing all repairs on Deere agriculture equipment.” In addition to its Sherman and FTC Act claims, the complaint also alleges violations of Illinois and Minnesota state antitrust laws.

Food Policy: Nebraska Legislature Introduces Bill Prohibiting Cultivated Meat
On January 14, 2025, the Nebraska Legislature introduced LB246 (PDF) to “prohibit cultivated-protein food products under the Nebraska Pure Food Act and provide a deceptive trade practice.” Also announced (PDF) by the state’s governor, the bill defines “cultivated-protein food” as “a food product having one or more sensory attributes that resemble . . . tissue originating from an agricultural food animal but . . . is derived from manufacturing cells or nonanimal sources, including processes in which one or more stem cells are initially isolated from an agricultural food animal, are grown in vitro, and may be manipulated, as part of manufacturing operation.” The bill prohibits the “manufacture, produc[tion], import, distribut[ion], promot[ion] . . . [and] sale” of cultivated food products by deeming those products as adulterated food and designating the adulteration of food as a deceptive trade practice. The bill was referred to the Agriculture Committee on January 16, 2025.

Agricultural Labor: FSIS Publishes Swine, Poultry Processing Line Speed Evaluation Studies
On January 9, 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Services published two Processing Line Speed Evaluation Studies (PULSE): one on swine processing (PDF) and another on poultry processing (PDF). According to the studies, “46% of evaluated [swine line] workers . . . were at high risk . . . for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)” and “81% of [poultry line] workers were at an increased risk of MSDs across all establishments.” Additionally, both studies found that piece rates, “the number of hog [or poultry] parts handled per minute by a worker,” was associated with MSD risk, with the poultry study concluding that MSD “risk was greater among workers who worked at a higher piece rate.” Both studies recommended that all “processing establishments should mitigate MSD risk by fully implementing ergonomic program guidelines for meat (and poultry) packing establishments published by the U.S. Department of Labor and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.”

Avian Influenza: USDA Announces Reduced Trade Restrictions on Poultry from France, EU
On January 16, 2925, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced (PDF) that the agency is “reducing existing trade restrictions on the importation of unvaccinated live poultry from France and unvaccinated live ducks from the . . . European Poultry Trade Region (EPTR), [and] Iceland, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.” According to the announcement, the trade restrictions, effective since October 2023, “resulted from France’s decision to vaccinate commercial meat ducks and some breeding ducks against highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).” APHIS states that the agency has “concluded the . . . live animal commodities are highly unlikely to be vaccinated, and the HPAI vaccination campaign has not significantly impacted the likelihood of HPAI virus entering the United States from importation” of the identified poultry products. APHIS publishes temporary trade restrictions on its Animal Health Status of Regions webpage.

Animal Health: USDA, UK Announce ‘Foot and Mouth Disease’ Import Restrictions for Animal Products from Germany
On January 10, 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) published an import alert restricting import of “live ruminants, camelids, swine, hedgehogs, tenrecs, and their germplasm” from Germany due to “the confirmation of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in water buffalos.” According to the alert, processed byproducts from the restricted animal—including milk—are permitted with certification that they “were treated in accordance with APHIS requirements,” but unprocessed byproducts are prohibited. Additionally, on January 15, 2025, the United Kingdom’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs issued an updated press release prohibiting import of “animal by products of pigs and ruminants” from the European Union (EU), Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, Faroe Islands, and Greenland. However, under Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/87 of 13 January 2025, Germany has established a restricted zone to control the spread of FMD and transport of animal products between Germany and other EU countries is not restricted.

 

_________________________________________________

aglaw.psu.edu | Facebook | Twitter@AgShaleLaw | YouTube | LinkedIn

Subscribe to the Pennsylvania Farm Employers’ Listserv
The Pennsylvania Farm Employers’ Listserv: a human resources email networking and resource-sharing group exclusively for agricultural operations. To subscribe, send an email to pfel-subscribe-request@lists.psu.edu with “subscribe” in the subject line and any word in the body (to avoid spam filtering).

Understanding Agricultural Law Series. A free monthly Zoom webinar series for agricultural and rural business advisors. One hour of substantive CLE credit available for Pennsylvania-licensed attorneys at no charge. All events on Fridays, noon–1 pm (ET). Upcoming:

Quarterly Dairy Legal Webinar Series. A free quarterly Zoom webinar series covering dairy industry legal and regulatory developments with an in-depth focus topic. One hour of substantive CLE credit available for Pennsylvania-licensed attorneys at no charge. All events on Tuesdays, noon–1 pm (ET). Upcoming:

Podcasts:

Farmland Legal Energy Podcast

The Inflation Reduction Act and Agriculture

An Introduction to Foreign Ownership of Agricultural Land

Dust Pollution in Rural Pennsylvania

Introduction to Precision Agriculture

Resources of Interest:

Southern Ag Today, Duty to Child Trespassers, Jesse Richardson (West Virginia University) (Jan. 17, 2025)

Iowa St. Univ. Ctr. Agric. Law & Tax’n, Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting in Flux, Kristine A. Tidgren (Jan. 15, 2025)

Univ. Md. Risk Mgmt. Educ. Blog, U.S. Supreme Court to Now Decide Fate of Beneficial Interest Reporting, Paul Goeringer (Jan. 15, 2025)

Ohio St. Univ. Ext. Farm Off. Blog, Ohio Legislative Roundup: Final Bills Passed in 2024, Ellen Essman (Jan. 15, 2025)

Nat’l Agric. Law Ctr., FDA Releases Final ‘Healthy’ Rule, Emily Stone (Jan. 14, 2025)

STATE ACTIONS—EXECUTIVE & LEGISLATIVE

PENNSYLVANIA EXECUTIVE AGENCIES

(Pa. Bulletin Vol. 55, No. 3—Jan. 18, 2025): 

Department of Environmental Protection

55 Pa.B. 601 Notice “Draft National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (PAG-13)”

55 Pa.B. 603 Notice: “Draft New and Revised Water Quality Assessment Methodology; Available for Public Comment”

PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATURE

HB 250 “An Act amending . . . the Alternative Fuels Incentive Act, further providing for Alternative Fuels Incentive Fund.” Referred to ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE PROTECTION. (Jan. 1, 2025)

HB 242 “An Act amending . . . the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in tax credits relating to beginning farmers, further providing for scope of article, for definitions, for beginning farmer management tax credit and for approval of tax credit.” Referred to FIANANCE (Jan. 17, 2025)

HB 255 “An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for Green Vehicle Pilot Program.” Referred to TRANSPORTATION (Jan. 17, 2025)

HB 118 “An Act amending . . . the Child Labor Act, further providing for penalties.” Referred to LABOR AND INDUSTRY (Jan.16, 2025)

HB 163 “An Act amending . . . the Agricultural Land Acquisition by Aliens Law, further prohibiting certain entities from acquiring an interest in agricultural land; providing for investigation by Attorney General and for responsibilities of purchaser and Attorney General; further providing for forfeiture of lands; providing for real estate auction; and further providing for definitions.” Referred to AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS (Jan. 16, 2025)

HB 189 “An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in registration of vehicles, further providing for vehicles exempt from registration.” Referred to AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS (Jan. 16, 2025)

HB 52 “An Act amending . . . the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, providing for building permits and endangered and threatened species; and making an appropriation.” Referred to ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE PROTECTION (Jan. 14, 2025)

FEDERAL ACTIONS—EXECUTIVE & LEGISLATIVE

U.S. ENVIROMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

EPA Issues Final Cleanup Plan for Lister Ave. Portion of the Diamond Alkali Superfund Site in Newark, NJ (Jan. 17, 2025)

EPA Updates Cleanup Plan for Groundwater Pollution in Hewlett, NY (Jan. 17, 2025)

EPA Fines Kansas Cattle Farms for Alleged Clean Water Act Violations (Jan. 17, 2025)

EPA Finalizes Review of Upper Hudson PCB Cleanup after Considering Public Comment; Agency Will Issue Report Addendum by 2027 (Jan. 16, 2025)

EPA Releases Draft Risk Assessment to Advance Scientific Understanding of PFOA and PFOS in Biosolids (Jan. 14, 2025)

New Report Celebrates EPA’s Unprecedented Successes Under Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America Agenda (Jan. 13, 2025)

U.S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) PRESS RELEASES

USDA Publishes Interim Rule on Technical Guidelines for Climate-Smart Agriculture Crops Used as Biofuel Feedstocks (Jan. 15, 2025)

USDA Finalizes Third New Regulation Under the Biden-Harris Administration to Create Fairness and Transparency for Contract Farmers (Jan. 14, 2025)

USDA AGENCY PRESS RELEASES:

Agricultural Marking Service

USDA Announces Grant Funding to Support the Production and Marketing of Bison and Bison Products (Jan. 16, 2025)

USDA Finalizes Third New Regulation Under the Biden-Harris Administration to Create Fairness and Transparency for Contract Farmers (Jan. 14, 2025)

USDA and Massachusetts Award $2.9 Million to Projects that Strengthen Food Supply Chain Infrastructure (Jan. 13, 2025)

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

USDA Shares Enrollment of Six Additional States in Its National Milk Testing Strategy for H5N1 (Jan. 17, 2025)

APHIS Updates Policy to Enhance Surveillance of Turkey Flocks in Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Affected States (Jan. 17, 2025)

USDA Secures $129.2 Million in Emergency Funds to Combat Exotic Fruit Fly Outbreaks (Jan. 17, 2025)

USDA Reduces HPAI Restrictions on Poultry from France and the European Union (Jan. 16, 2025)

APHIS Releases 2024 Impact Report (Jan. 16, 2025)

USDA Grants More Than $70 Million to Protect Crops and Natural Resources (Jan. 14, 2025)

USDA Grants More Than $19.6 Million to Protect California Crops and Natural Resources (Jan. 14, 2025)

USDA Grants More Than $4 Million to Protect Florida Crops and Natural Resources (Jan. 14, 2025)

USDA Grants More Than $1.7 Million to Protect Hawaiian Crops and Natural Resources (Jan. 14, 2025)

USDA Grants More Than $1.5 Million to Protect Idaho Crops and Natural Resources (Jan. 14, 2025)

USDA Grants More Than $3 Million to Protect Maryland Crops and Natural Resources (Jan. 14, 2025)

USDA Grants More Than $1.7 Million to Protect Massachusetts Crops and Natural Resources (Jan. 14, 2025)

USDA Grants More Than $1.5 Million to Protect New York Crops and Natural Resources (Jan. 14, 2025)

USDA Grants More Than $1.8 Million to Protect Oregon Crops and Natural Resources (Jan. 14, 2025)

USDA Grants More Than $2 Million to Protect Texas Crops and Natural Resources (Jan. 14, 2025)
USDA Grants More Than $1.8 Million to Protect Washington State Crops and Natural Resources (Jan. 14, 2025)

USDA Invests More Than $2.1 Million in Tribal Communities to Fund Plant Protection Projects (Jan. 14, 2025)

USDA Confirms Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Backyard Poultry Flock in Puerto Rico (Jan. 13, 2025)

Farm Service Agency

Advancing Agriculture and Empowering Producers (Jan. 16, 2025)

USDA and Minnesota Announce Expanded Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program to Improve Water Quality and Wildlife Habitat (Jan. 14, 2025)

USDA Announces 2025 Enrollment Periods for Crop and Dairy Safety-Net Programs (Jan. 13, 2025)

USDA Announces 2025 Enrollment Periods for Crop and Dairy Safety-Net Programs (Jan. 13, 2025)

Food and Nutrition Service

Public Comment Period to Open on Two Reports on Alcohol and Health (Jan. 14, 2025)

Food Safety and Inspection Service 

Constituent Update – January 17, 2025 (Jan. 17, 2025)

Foreign Agriculture Service

USDA Identifies 2025 McGovern-Dole Priority Countries (Jan. 16, 2025)

USDA Accepting Applications for Agribusiness Trade Mission to Hong Kong (Jan. 16, 2025)

Export Sales to China and Taiwan (Jan. 16, 2025)

USDA Marks Landmark Year with $8.8 Billion in New Market Opportunities and Global Food Security Gains (Jan. 15, 2025)

Farewell Reflection: Export Impact’s Journey (Jan. 14, 2025)

Export Sales to China (Jan. 14, 2025)

National Institute of Food and Agriculture

1890 Extension Programs Improving Health and Well-being (Jan. 16, 2025)

Alert: Stakeholders Affected by California Wildfires Encouraged to Contact NIFA Staff (Jan. 14, 2025)

Natural Resource Conservation Service

Bartlesville Urban Farmers Find Their Niche with Help of NRCS (Jan. 17, 2025)

USDA Financial Assistance Available to West Virgina Producers Transitioning to Organic Production (Jan. 17, 2025)

NRCS Announces 2nd CSP IRA Sign-up for FY2025 (Jan. 16, 2025)

NRCS Texas Conservation Stewardship Program application submission date approaching (Jan. 16, 2025)

FY25 Act Now for Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) (Jan. 16, 2025)

Dakota Farm Talk – Transitioning to Organic Farming (Jan. 15, 2025)

3rd Sign up open for USDA Ag & Forestry Conservation Programs in Rhode Island (Jan. 15, 2025)

Applications being accepted for Nevada’s Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (Jan. 14, 2025)

USDA Sets Michigan Deadline for Conservation Stewardship Applications (Jan. 14, 2025)

NRCS New Jersey Announces Conservation Stewardship Program Signup (Jan. 13, 2025)

NRCS State Technical Advisory Committee Meeting Scheduled for Feb. 18 (Jan. 13, 2025)

Risk Management Agency

USDA Improves Insurance Option for Nursery Growers (Jan. 17, 2025)

USDA Invests $2 Million to Provide Risk Management Training to Farmers, Ranchers (Jan. 14, 2025)

FEDERAL EXECUTIVE AGENCIES (Federal Register—Jan. 6–10, 2025):    

Agricultural Department

90 FR 5497 Interim Rule: “Technical Guidelines for Climate-Smart Agriculture Crops Used as Biofuel Feedstocks” (Jan. 17, 2025)

Agricultural Marketing Service

90 FR 6600 Final Rule: “Milk in the Northeast and Other Marketing Areas; Uniform Pricing Formula Provisions” (Jan. 17, 2025)

90 FR 4712 Notice—Comment Period: “United States Classes, Standards, and Grades for Poultry” (Jan. 16, 2025)

90 FR 4585 Final Rule: “Plant Records to Include Grade Label Butterfat Testing” (Jan. 16, 2025)

90 FR 4679 Withdrawal: “Fair and Competitive Livestock and Poultry Markets” (Jan. 16, 2025)

90 FR 5146 Final Rule: “Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Improvement Systems” (Jan. 16, 2025)

90 FR 3720 Proposed Rule: “Oranges and Grapefruit Grown in Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas; Increased Assessment Rate” (Jan. 15, 2025)

90 FR 2664 Notice—Comment Period: “Geographic Areas for Official Grain Inspection Services” (Jan. 13, 2025)

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

90 FR 4713 Notice: “Addition of Nicaragua to the List of Regions Affected with Screwworm” (Jan. 16, 2025)

90 FR 4715 Notice: “Addition of Panama and Costa Rica to the List of Regions Affected with Screwworm” (Jan. 16, 2025)

90 FR 4714 Notice—Comment Period: “Notice of Availability of a Pest Risk Analysis for the Importation of Fresh Rhizomes of Wasabi from Indonesia into the United States” (Jan. 16, 2025)

90 FR 4714 Notice: “Addition of Guatemala and Honduras to the List of Regions Affected with Screwworm” (Jan. 16, 2025)

Commodity Credit Corporation

90 FR 5493 Final Rule: “Supplemental Agricultural Assistance Programs” (Jan. 17, 2025)

Food and Nutrition Service

90 FR 2671 Notice: “Summer Food Service Program; 2025 Reimbursement Rates” (Jan. 13, 2025)

Food Safety and Inspection Service

90 FR 5809 Notice: “Availability of Revised Guideline for Controlling Retained Water in Raw Meat and Poultry” (Jan. 17, 2025)

Forest Service

90 FR 4778 Notice: “Records of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan for Bears Ears National Monument and Approval of the Amendment to the Manti-La Sal National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan in Utah” (Jan. 16, 2025)

Natural Resources Conservation Service

90 FR 4718 Notice—Comment Period: “Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Owyhee Irrigation District Infrastructure Modernization Project, Malheur County, OR” (Jan. 16, 2025)

U.S. Codex Office

90 FR 4717 Notice: “Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Food Additives” (Jan. 16, 2025)

90 FR 4716 Notice: “Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables” (Jan. 16, 2025)

Environmental Protection Agency

90 FR 5693 Final Rule: “Air Plan Approval; Washington; Olympic Region Clean Air Agency, Recreational Fires” (Jan. 17, 2025)

90 FR 4649 Final Rule: “Reference Measurement Principle and Calibration Procedure for the Measurement of Ozone in the Atmosphere (Chemiluminescence Method); Correction” (Jan. 16, 2025)

90 FR 4658 Final Rule: “Expedited Approval of Alternative Test Procedures for the Analysis of Contaminants Under the Safe Drinking Water Act; Analysis and Sampling Procedures” (Jan. 16, 2025)

90 FR 3859 Notice—Comment Period: “Draft Sewage Sludge Risk Assessment for Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS)” (Jan. 15, 2025)

90 FR 3827 Notice—Comment Period: “Draft National Recommended Ambient Water Quality Criteria for the Protection of Human Health for Perfluorooctanoic Acid, Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid, and Perfluorobutane Sulfonic Acid; Correction” (Jan. 15, 2025)

90 FR 3702 Notice: “New Source Performance Standards for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from New, Modified, and Reconstructed Fossil Fuel-Fired Electric Generating Units; Emission Guidelines for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Existing Fossil Fuel-Fired Electric Generating Units; and Repeal of the Affordable Clean Energy Rule; Final Action” (Jan. 15, 2025)

90 FR 3208 Notice: “Pesticide Registration Review; Interim Registration Review Decision for Ethylene Oxide (EtO); Notice of Availability” (Jan. 14, 2025)

90 FR 3207 Notice—Comment Period: “Clothianidin; Receipt of Application for Emergency Exemption; Solicitation of Public Comment” (Jan. 14, 2025)

90 FR 2683 Notice—Comment Period: “Pesticide Registration Review; Pesticide Dockets Opened for Review and Comment; Notice of Availability” (Jan. 13, 2025)

90 FR 2684 Notice: “Pesticide Registration Maintenance Fee; Cancellation Order for Certain Pesticide Registrations” (Jan. 13, 2025)

90 FR 2682 Notice—Comment Period: “Pesticide Registration Review; Proposed Decisions for Several Pesticides; Notice of Availability” (Jan. 13, 2025)

90 FR 2661 Proposed Rule—Comment Period: “Receipt of a Pesticide Petition Filed for Residues of Pesticide Chemicals in or on Various Commodities (November 2024)” (Jan. 13, 2025)

U.S. HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE: 

H.R.556 “To prohibit the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture from prohibiting the use of lead ammunition or tackle on certain Federal land or water under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Agriculture (Jan. 16, 2025)

H.R.534 “To authorize certain States to take certain actions on certain Federal land to secure an international border of the United States, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Agriculture (Jan. 16, 2025)

H.R.528 “To require the Secretary of the Interior to carry out a program for post-disaster reforestation and restoration Program, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Agriculture (Jan. 16, 2025)

H.R.487 “To amend the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 by requiring preclearance quarantine inspections for all movement to or from the State of Hawaii by either domestic or international travel, and for other purposes.” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (Jan. 16, 2025)

H.R.484 “To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants to States to support the establishment and operation of grocery stores in underserved communities, and for other purposes.” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (Jan. 16, 2025)

H.R.479 “To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to require the Secretary to designate food and food products to be made available under the supplemental nutrition assistance program, and for other purposes.” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (Jan. 16, 2025)

H.R.471 “Fix Our Forests Act.” Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committees on Agriculture, and Science, Space, and Technology (Jan. 16, 2025)

H.R.442 “To amend the Federal Crop Insurance Act to modify a provision relating to quality loss adjustment coverage.” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (Jan. 15, 2025)

H.R.441 “To improve drought related disaster assistance programs of the Department of Agriculture, and for other purposes.” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (Jan. 15, 2025)

H.R.416 “To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to close the nominal benefits loophole.” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (Jan. 15, 2025)

H.R.389 “To amend the Food Security Act of 1985 to authorize payments under the environmental quality incentives program to assist producers in implementing certain conservation practices along the southern border of Texas, and for other purposes.” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (Jan. 14, 2025)

H.R.388 “To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to review the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program, and for other purposes.” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (Jan. 14, 2025)

H.R.387 “To require the Secretary of Agriculture to submit to Congress a report on available assistance to agricultural producers in the State of Texas that have suffered economic losses due to the failure of Mexico to deliver water.” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (Jan. 14, 2025)

H.R.375 “To require the Secretary of the Interior to partner and collaborate with the Secretary of Agriculture and the State of Hawaii to address Rapid Ohia Death, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Agriculture (Jan. 13, 2025)

H.R.372 “To require certain welfare programs to deny benefits to persons who fail a drug test, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committees on Agriculture, and Financial Services (Jan. 13, 2025)

H.R.349 “To amend the Animal Welfare Act to increase enforcement with respect to violations of that Act, and for other purposes.” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (Jan. 13, 2025)

U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION, AND FORESTRY: 

S.144 “A bill to amend the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 with respect to the definition of biofuels and sustainable aviation fuel, and for other purposes.” Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (Jan. 16, 2025)

S.87 “A bill to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to modify work requirements under the supplemental nutrition assistance program, and for other purposes.” Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (Jan. 14, 2025)

S.85 “A bill to require the Secretary of the Interior to partner and collaborate with the Secretary of Agriculture and the State of Hawaii to address Rapid Ohia Death, and for other purposes.” Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (Jan. 14, 2025)

 

Contributors:
Audry Thompson—Staff Attorney
Riley Amdor—Research Assistant
Victoria Dutterer—Research Assistant