Summary

• IFAI is hosting a webinar on Jan. 9 about implications for Tribal peoples and agriculture in the newly published Scientific Report of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee.  This webinar is also in preparation for anyone wishing to present oral comments during a virtual session on Jan. 16, 2025. 

• The Federal Register has published two proposed rules: one from FNS about the SNAP Quality Control Review Handbook and another from APHIS about the US Swine Health Improvement Plan.  

Calendar

Tribal Consultation/Listening Sessions/Advisory Committee Meetings

Title of Event: Request for Virtual Public Comments on the Scientific Report of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee 

About: The public is invited to present virtual oral comments to HHS and USDA about the Scientific Report of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. Pre-registration is required. Registration for oral comments will open on Monday, Dec. 165, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern and close once capacity has been reached. Virtual oral comments can be pre-recorded or provided live virtually via videocast. More information on the oral comment opportunity will be available at Public Comments to the Department 

Meeting Date(s): 

• Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. eastern 

Title of Event: IFAI Briefing on Tribal Implications in the Scientific Report of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee 

About: Join the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative (IFAI) for an analysis of the December 2024 Scientific Report of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. IFAI policy staff will break down the Indian Country implications of the report, and provide input to Tribal leaders, staff and interested parties about the 60-day comment period for feedback to USDA and HHS. 

Meeting Date(s):  

• Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. central. Click the button below to register. 

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: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control Review Handbook Incorporation by Reference 

• USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service is seeking public comments on a proposed rule to include the FNS Handbook 310 into SNAP regulations.  

• Handbook 310 is the standard operating procedure manual for conducting quality control reviews of SNAP cases.  

• The SNAP quality control reviews have four goals that include measuring the validity of the SNAP eligibility caseload and provide the basis for determining all SNAP error rates.  

• Written comments must be received by Mar. 4, 2025, to be considered.  

Posted: Week of Jan. 6, 2025 

Title: US Swine Health Improvement Plan 

• USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is seeking comments on a proposed rule about creating regulations that govern the U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan (US SHIP).  

• US SHIP would be a voluntary livestock improvement program with the objective of improving biosecurity, traceability, and disease surveillance for swine health. 

• Establishing a health improvement plan would allow participating sites to market their products with the relevant certification status. This would limit disruptions to international and interstate commerce during outbreaks. 

• Currently, there is no health improvement program that exists for the swine industry.  

• Comments received by Jan. 30, 2025, will be considered.  

Posted: Week of Jan. 6, 2025 

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