Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced a significant step in modernizing regulations of agricultural animals modified or produced by genetic engineering. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be moving forward with an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) to solicit public input and feedback on a contemplated regulatory framework that would modernize our system into a scientifically-sound, risk-based, and predictable process that facilitates the development and use of these technologies for U.S. farmers and ranchers under USDA’s authorities. This initiative follows President Donald Trump’s Executive Order on agricultural biotechnology that called upon federal agencies to make regulatory improvements to rectify some of the long-standing barriers to innovation for U.S. agriculture. [Source: USDA 21 December 2020]
Category Archives: USDA
UPDATED: Foot-and-Mouth Disease Response Plan
The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has updated its FMD Response Plan for the United States as part of continued efforts to strengthen response capabilities in the event of a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak. [Source: USDA 23 November 2020]
APHIS Makes Available 2017 NASS Census of Agriculture Data on Major Animal Agricultural Commodities Via New Web Tool
The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has released the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) 2017 Census of Agriculture web mapping application for major animal agricultural commodities. [Source: USDA 16 November 2020]
USDA Issues Draft Select Agent Policy Statement on Studying Brucella Species in Large Animal Outdoor Containment
The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is issuing a draft policy statement through the Federal Select Agent Program (FSAP) on research with Brucella species in outdoor settings. The policy statement will allow researchers to conduct brucellosis studies in large animals that cannot be easily housed or studied indoors. The ability to conduct outdoor host animal studies involving swine, elk, bison, and cattle will help APHIS gain important tools and information to continue with brucellosis eradication. [Source: USDA 14 October 2020]
USDA APHIS Extends Updated Interim Guidance for Veterinary Health Certificates through December 31, 2020
The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) continues to recognize the unprecedented challenge that the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic poses to trade. To alleviate the impact on animal origin commodities imports, APHIS provides the following interim guidance to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists assigned to review required import information for animal products and by-products regulated by USDA APHIS. This guidance replaces previous editions that were communicated with CBP. [Source: USDA 30 Sep 2020]
USDA Announces Second Round of Funding for Feral Swine Program
The USDA is accepting applications from non-federal, not-for-profit partners for projects to help agricultural producers and private landowners trap and control feral swine, which is part of the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is making $12 million available and will accept applications through Nov. 5, in eight priority states during its second round of project funding. [Source: National Hog Farmer 25 Sep 2020]
Publication of the 2019 Annual Report of the Federal Select Agent Program
This week the Federal Select Agent Program (FSAP) published its fifth annual report of aggregate program data, the 2019 Annual Report of the Federal Select Agent Program, as part of the program’s continued efforts to provide the American public with insight into the regulatory activities of the program. The annual publication of this report reflects FSAP’s continued commitment to increasing transparency and understanding of the program. [Source: USDA 24 Sep 2020]
APHIS Seeks Feedback on List of Animal and Plant Pest and Disease Threats
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is seeking feedback on its proposed list of pests and diseases of concern that are likely to pose a high risk to U.S. agricultural and natural resources. [Source: USDA 6 August 2020]
Notice Regarding APHIS Live Animal Import and Transit Permits
USDA APHIS is focusing on the following issues and concerns regarding import permit time frames and standards including contingency plans for transit shipments. View the July 30, 2020 USDA announcement for more information.
APHIS Announces Sources Sought Notice to Gather Information on Diagnostic Test Kits for the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is announcing the availability of a sources sought notice that will be posted for 30 days to gather information from interested diagnostics manufacturers on their ability to supply test kits for three major livestock diseases: foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), African swine fever (ASF) and classical swine fever (CSF). [Source: USDA 3 August 2020]