What did Agriculture Department publish on Sept. 25?

The US Agriculture Department published a three page proposed rule on Sept. 25, according to the U.S. Government Publishing Office.

The proposed rule is focused on Importation of Fruits and Vegetables; Papayas From Brazil and Costa Rica.

The Department is primarily focused on food nutrition, with assistance programs making up 80 percent of its budget. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the Department implements too many regulations and restrictions and impedes the economy.

Notices are required documents detailing rules and regulations being proposed by each federal department. This allows the public to see what issues legislators and federal departments are focusing on.

Any person or organization can comment on the proposed rules. Departments and agencies must then address “significant issues raised in comments and discuss any changes made,” the Federal Register says.

Notices published by the Agriculture Department on Sept. 25

Title
Importation of Fruits and Vegetables; Papayas From Brazil and Costa Rica
Humane Treatment of Dogs; Tethering; Clarification
1997 Amendment to Cotton Board Rules and Regulations Adjusting Supplemental Assessment on Imports
Importation of Cut Flowers
Specialty Crops; Import Regulations; Extension of Reporting Period for Peanuts Imported Under 1997 Import Quotas
Importation of Fruits and Vegetables
Foreign Potatoes
Almonds Grown in California; Revision to Requirements Regarding Inedible Almonds
Silver Creek Integrated Resource Project, Boise National Forest, Idaho
Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection; Reinstatement and Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection; and a Proposed New Information Collection
User Fees; Agricultural Quarantine and Inspection Services
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection
In Vitro Testing of Veterinary Biologics; Public Meeting
Beef Promotion and Research; Board and State Beef Council Addresses
1890 Institution Teaching and Research Capacity Building Grants Program for Fiscal Year 1998; Solicitation of Applications