Agriculture Department publishes rule on Dec. 31

The US Agriculture Department published a one page rule on Dec. 31, according to the U.S. Government Publishing Office.

The rule is focused on Handling of Animals; Contingency Plans.

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 Dec. 31

Title
Uniform Compliance Date for Food Labeling Regulations
Submission of Itineraries
Handling of Animals; Contingency Plans
Solicitation of Veterinary Shortage Situation Nominations for the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP)
Subsistence Management Program for Public Lands in Alaska; Rural Determination Process
Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Request for Nominations
Transfer of Land to the Department of Interior
Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Animal Disease Traceability Information Systems, Agreements, and Reports
Data Standards for Electronic Interstate Certificates of Veterinary Inspection