Rule published by Agriculture Department on March 3

The US Agriculture Department published a six page rule on March 3, according to the U.S. Government Publishing Office.

The rule is focused on Tart Cherries Grown in the States of Michigan, et al.; Final Free and Restricted Percentages for the 2007-2008 Crop Year for Tart Cherries.

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 3

Title
Almonds Grown in California; Secretary's Decision and Referendum Order on Proposed Amendment of Marketing Order No. 981
Walnuts Grown in California; Order Amending Marketing Order and Agreement No. 984
Tart Cherries Grown in the States of Michigan, et al.; Final Free and Restricted Percentages for the 2007-2008 Crop Year for Tart Cherries
Common Crop Insurance Regulations; Cultivated Wild Rice Crop Insurance Provisions
Common Crop Insurance Regulations; Mustard Crop Insurance Provisions
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC): Implementation of Nondiscretionary WIC Certification and General Administrative Provisions
Opportunity for Designation in Aberdeen (SD), Decatur (IL), Hastings (NE), Fulton (IL), Missouri, and South Carolina Areas, and Request for Comments on the Official Agencies Serving These Areas
Designation for the Owensboro (KY), Bloomington (IL), Iowa Falls (IA), Casa Grande (AZ), Fargo (ND), Grand Forks (ND), Plainview (TX), and Amarillo (TX) Areas
Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Food Additives
Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods
Determination of Pest-Free Areas Within the States of Ceará and Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil; Request for Comments
Information Collection: Report of Acreage, Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program
Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of Used Farm Equipment From Regions Affected With Foot-and-Mouth Disease
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Establishment of Honey Packers and Importers Research, Promotion, Consumer Education and Industry Information Order and Termination of the Honey Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Order
Honey Packers and Importers Research, Promotion, Consumer Education and Industry Information Order; Referendum Procedures