Agriculture Department publishes rule on March 6

The US Agriculture Department published a three page rule on March 6, according to the U.S. Government Publishing Office.

The rule is focused on Watermelon Research and Promotion Plan; Redistricting and Adding Two Importer Members to the National Watermelon Promotion Board.

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 March 6

Title
Watermelon Research and Promotion Plan; Redistricting and Adding Two Importer Members to the National Watermelon Promotion Board
Grazing Payments for 2001 Wheat, Barley, or Oats
Hazelnuts Grown in Oregon and Washington; Establishment of Interim and Final Free and Restricted Percentages for the 2000-2001 Marketing Year
Sweet Onions Grown in the Walla Walla Valley of Southeast Washington and Northeast Oregon; Revision of Administrative Rules and Regulations
Tomatoes Grown in Florida; Change in Size Designation
Olives Grown in California; Increased Assessment Rate
Imported Fire Ant
Pine Shoot Beetle Host Material From Canada; Availability of a Draft Environmental Assessment
Dried Prunes Produced in California; Undersized Regulation for the 2001-02 Crop Year
Sweet Cherries Grown in Designated Counties in Washington; Secretary's Decision and Referendum Order on Proposed Amendment of Marketing Agreement No. 134 and Marketing Order No. 923
Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) Invitation for Applications for the Value-Added Agricultural Product Market Development Grant Program (VADG) (Information Resource Center)
Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) Inviting Applications for the Value-Added Agricultural Product Market Development Grant Program (VADG) (Independent Producers)
Codex Alimentarius: Meeting of the Codex ad hoc