Agriculture Department publishes proposed rule on May 16

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

The proposed rule is focused on Animal Welfare; Retail Pet Stores and Licensing Exemptions.

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 May 16