What did Agriculture Department publish on Feb. 15?

The US Agriculture Department published a two page notice on Feb. 15, according to the U.S. Government Publishing Office.

The notice is focused on Notice of Availability of a Risk Analysis for the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Status of the Republic of South Africa.

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 Feb. 15

Title
Marketing Order Regulating the Handling of Spearmint Oil Produced in the Far West; Salable Quantities and Allotment Percentages for the 2008-2009 Marketing Year
Correction of the December 3, 2007, Federal Register Notice Announcing Opportunities for Designation in Georgia, Cedar Rapids (IA), and the Montana Areas, and Request for Comments on the Official Agencies Serving These Areas
Opportunity To Comment on the Applicants for Maryland, New Jersey, and New York
Importation of Solid Wood Packing Material; Record of Decision
Planet Biotechnology, Inc.; Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for a Field Release To Produce Antibodies in Genetically Engineered Nicotiana Hybrids
SemBioSys Genetics, Inc.; Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for a Proposed Field Release of Genetically Engineered Safflower
Oregon State University; Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for a Controlled Release of Genetically Engineered Populus Species and Hybrids
Notice of Availability of a Risk Analysis for the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Status of the Republic of South Africa
Draft Guideline: Target Animal Safety for Veterinary Live and Inactivated Vaccines