Stories by USDA Newswire on Federal Newswire

Release: In March 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) published a notice in the Federal Register announcing plans to implement phase six of the Lacey Act enforcement schedule, effective Oct. 1, 2020. In response to stakeholder concerns about ...

APHIS Updates Federal Domestic Soil Quarantines Map

Release: APHIS updated the to include the following changes:APHIS restricts the movement of domestic soil from areas within the continental United States that are under quarantine for specific plant pests. The Federal Domestic Soil Quarantines Map provides an overview of the plant pest quarantines that affect ...

USDA Proposes Rule to Strengthen Enforcement of Organic Standards

News Release: Washington - On Aug. 5, 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will publish in the Federal Register a new proposed rule to expand the National Organic Program’s (NOP) oversight and enforcement of the production, handling and sale of organic products.

APHIS Clarifies Regulatory Requirements for Seeds for Sprouting for Human Consumption

Release: USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recently updated the and the to amend the import policy for seeds for sprouting intended for human consumption. When imported for the purpose of consumption and not propagation, seed for sprouting will no longer require a phytosanitary certificate ...

USDA Provides List of Locations by State Where Public Can Mail Unsolicited Seed Packages

Release: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) urges anyone who receives an unsolicited package of seeds to mail those seeds to the location listed here for your state. If more than one location is listed for your state, please select the location closest to your residence.Instructions for Mailing Seed Packets:If ...

Senators Stabenow, Murkowski Team Up to Reintroduce Bipartisan Food Supply Protection Act

News Release: WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, reintroduced the Food Supply Protection Act with U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) to help protect the food supply after the COVID-19 crisis has put an unprecedented strain on farmers, workers, food banks, and families.

Trump Administration Invests $462 Million to Modernize Water and Wastewater Infrastructure in Rural Communities

News Release: Funding will Improve Rural Water Infrastructure for 467,000 Rural Americans in 44 States WASHINGTON, D.C., Aug. 3, 2020 – The Trump Administration today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $462 million to modernize critical drinking water and wastewater infrastructure across rural America.

Private Exporters Report Sales Activity for Unknown Destinations

Release: Washington -Private exporters reported to the U.S. Department of Agriculture export sales of 260,000 metric tons of soybeans for delivery to unknown destinations. Of the total, 8,000 metric tons is for delivery during the 2019/2020 marketing year and 252,000 metric tons is for delivery during the 2020/2021 marketing year.

APHIS Announces Sources Sought Notice to Gather Information on Diagnostic Test Kits for the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank

Release: The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is announcing the availability of a sources sought notice that will be posted for 30 days to gather information from interested diagnostics manufacturers on their ability to supply test kits for three major ...

USDA Begins 2020 Oral Rabies Vaccine Efforts in Eastern United States

Release: WASHINGTON, Aug. 3, 2020- The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will begin its annual distribution of RABORAL V-RG®, an oral rabies vaccine (ORV) bait, in select areas in the eastern United States to prevent the spread of raccoon rabies into America’s ...

USDA Announces Commodity Credit Corporation Lending Rates for August 2020

News Release: Washington - The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Commodity Credit Corporation today announced interest rates for August 2020, which are effective August 1-Aug. 31, 2020.

Trump Administration Invests $462 Million to Modernize Water and Wastewater Infrastructure in Rural Communities

News Release: WASHINGTON, D.C., Aug. 3, 2020 - The Trump Administration today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $462 million to modernize critical drinking water (PDF, 367 KB) and wastewater infrastructure across rural America.

USDA Issues a Default Decision Against Mark Robinson, d.b.a. Robinson Livestock for Violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act

News Release: Washington - As part of its commitment to ensuring fair and competitive markets for the livestock, meat and poultry industries, on January 9, 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a Decision and Order Without Hearing by Reason of Default against Mark Robinson, doing business as Robinson Livestock (Robinson) of Lemmon, S.D., for violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act.

Trump Administration Invests More Than $13 Million in High-Speed Broadband in Rural Maryland

News Release: CARES Act ReConnect Funding to Connect 3,447 Rural Households to High-Speed Broadband CORDOVA, MD, July 31, 2020 – The Trump Administration today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing more than $13 million to provide broadband service in unserved and underserved rural areas in Maryland. This investment is part of the $100 million in grant funding made available for the ReConnect Pilot Program through the CARES Act.

Private Exporters Report Sales Activity for Mexico and the Philippines

Release: Washington -Private exporters reported to the U.S. Department of Agriculture the following activity.

Trump Administration Invests More Than $13 Million in High-Speed Broadband in Rural Maryland

News Release: CORDOVA, MD, July 31, 2020 - The Trump Administration today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing more than $13 million to provide broadband service in unserved and underserved rural areas in Maryland. This investment is part of the $100 million in grant funding made available for the ReConnect Pilot Program through the CARES Act.

USDA Restricts PACA Violators in Texas from Operating in the Produce Industry

News Release: Washington - As part of its efforts to enforce the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) and ensure fair trading practices within the U.S. produce industry, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on three produce businesses for failing to meet their contractual obligations...

USDA Seeks Help from Citizens to Collect Unsolicited Seeds Packages