Agriculture Department publishes proposed rule on Aug. 16

The US Agriculture Department published a three page proposed rule on Aug. 16, according to the U.S. Government Publishing Office.

The proposed rule is focused on Domestic Dates Produced or Packed in Riverside County, California; Increased Assessment Rate.

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 Aug. 16

Title
Sweet Onions Grown in the Walla Walla Valley of Southeast Washington and Northeast Oregon; Establishment of Special Purpose Shipping Regulations and Modification of Reporting Requirements
Raisins Produced From Grapes Grown in California; Final Free and Reserve Percentages for 2003-04 Crop Natural (Sun-Dried) Seedless Raisins
Nectarines and Peaches Grown in California; Decreased Assessment Rates
Oranges, Grapefruit, Tangerines, and Tangelos Grown in Florida; Modifying the Procedures Used To Limit the Volume of Small Red Seedless Grapefruit Grown in Florida
Oranges, Grapefruit, Tangerines, and Tangelos Grown in Florida; Exemption for Shipments of Tree Run Citrus
Grapes Grown in a Designated Area of Southeastern California; Establishment of Reporting Requirements
Oranges, Grapefruit, Tangerines, and Tangelos Grown in Florida; Limiting the Volume of Small Red Seedless Grapefruit
Ravalli County Resource Advisory Committee
Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area (SRA) Advisory Council
Notice of Federal Invention Available for Licensing and Intent To Grant Exclusive License
Domestic Dates Produced or Packed in Riverside County, California; Increased Assessment Rate
Dried Prunes Produced in California; Increased Assessment Rate
Winter Pears Grown in Oregon and Washington; Decrease of a Continuing Supplemental Assessment Rate for the Beurre d'Anjou Variety of Pears Grown in Oregon and Washington