Proposed rule published on March 14 by Agriculture Department

The US Agriculture Department published a two page proposed rule on March 14, according to the U.S. Government Publishing Office.

The proposed rule is focused on Definitions and Standards of Identity or Composition: Elimination of the Pizza Standard.

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 14

Title
Melons Grown in South Texas; Increased Assessment Rate
Beef Promotion and Research; Reapportionment
Use of Transglutaminase Enzyme and Pork Collagen as Binders in Certain Meat and Poultry Products
Hazelnuts Grown in Oregon and Washington; Establishment of Interim Final and Final Free and Restricted Percentages for the 2001-2002 Marketing Year
Onions Grown in South Texas; Increased Assessment Rate
Grapes Grown in a Designated Area of Southeastern California; Increased Assessment Rate
Nectarines and Peaches Grown in California; Revision of Reporting Requirements for Fresh Nectarines and Peaches
Kiwifruit Grown in California; Relaxation of Pack Requirements
Regulations Governing the California Prune/Plum (Tree Removal) Diversion Program
Increase in Fees for Voluntary Federal Seed Testing and Certification Services and Establishment of a Fee for Preliminary Test Reports
Fresno County Resource Advisory Committee
Monsanto Co.; Availability of Petition and Environmental Assessment for Determination of Nonregulated Status for Corn Genetically Engineered for Insect Resistance
Notice of Request for OMB Approval and Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection
Definitions and Standards of Identity or Composition: Elimination of the Pizza Standard
Oranges, Grapefruit, Tangerines, and Tangelos Grown in Florida; Continuance Referendum
Agricultural Management Assistance