Summary

• This is the last policy brief for 2024. We will resume in early January.   

• December 24 is the submission deadline USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service is requesting comments about information collection activities regarding the Food Delivery Portal. IFAI and the National Association of FDPIR programs created a draft comment letter for Tribes and Tribal Organizations to use for USDA FNS’s FDPIR participant study information request. 

• Two Federal Register notices outline USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service and Rural Business-Cooperative Service respective seeking of public comments on Foodborne Illness Outbreak Surveys and the Rural Energy for America Program. 

Calendar

Tribal Consultation/Listening Sessions/Advisory Committee Meetings

Check back next year for consultations/listening sessions/advisory committee meetings

Congressional Sessions:

Looking back: 

There were no hearings relevant to Indian Country Agriculture last week. 

Looking ahead:

There are no hearings relevant to Indian Country Agriculture this week. 

Nomination opportunities: 

There are no nomination opportunities at this time.

If you’re interested in seeking more information on nominations, reach out to agpolicy@uark.edu.

Regulatory/Rulemaking Actions

Title: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request Regarding Foodborne Illness Outbreak Surveys 

• USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service is seeking public comments about information gathered through Foodborne Illness Outbreak Surveys.  

• FSIS wants to collect information from state and territorial government partners on ways to strengthen the collaborative response to illness outbreaks associated with FSIS-regulated food products. 

• FSIS will administer to State, Local or Tribal governments a series of surveys about foodborne illness outbreak investigation.  

• Comments are requested by Jan. 9, 2025. 

Posted: Week of Dec. 16, 2024 

Title: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request Regarding the Rural Energy for America Program.  

• USDA’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service is seeking public comments regarding the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). 

• The REAP program helps agricultural producers and rural small business reduce energy cost and consumption, develop new income streams.  

• Applicants who may want to apply for components of REAP such as the Renewable Energy Systems (RES) and Energy Efficiency Improvements (EEI) will need to submit applications with specified forms and information.  

• Comments are requested regarding whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency. 

• Deadline for comments is Jan. 15, 2025. 

Posted: Week of Dec. 16, 2024 

• USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is seeking comments about collection of information in the web-based system called Food Delivery Portal (FDP). 

• FDP is a data collection system that enhances FNS’ data collection, storage, and reporting.  

• Indian Tribal Organizations are among the 33 non-geographic State agencies that administer the Special Supplemental Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) that uses the FDP.  

• FDP is part of the monitoring efforts that FNS undertakes to provide Congress, senior FNS officials, and the public.  

• Comments must be received by Jan. 2, 2025. 

Posted: Week of Dec. 2, 2024