Summary
- Check out IFAI’s blogpost and comment template letter about USDA’s Child Nutrition Programs Tribal Pilot Projects. Tribes can submit comments through March 24.
- Nominations for the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission Permanent Advisory Committee are due by March 24.
- There are two Congressional hearings this week; one on the state of the livestock industry and another to review H.R.471, The Fix our Forests Act.
- Submit a comment by March 31 regarding the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s proposed U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan.
- View IFAI’s webinar on the new administration’s executive actions and their potential impact on Indian Country.
Calendar
Tribal Consultation/Listening Sessions/Advisory Committee Meetings
Title of Event: Request for Information: Child Nutrition Programs Tribal Pilot Projects
About: The U.S. Department of Agriculture is taking feedback from Indian Country on the Child Nutrition Tribal Pilot Projects through a Request for Information process. The pilot will allow Tribal operations to administer one or more child nutrition programs like:
- National School Lunch Program
- School Breakfast Program
- Child & Adult Care Food Program
- Summer Food Service Program
The final comment deadline is March 24, 2025. IFAI has information and a comment template for Tribes interested in submitting here on our website.
Congressional Sessions:
Looking back:
Hearing: House Appropriations Committee- Feb. 25, 2025.
Topic: American Indian/Alaskan Native Public Witness Days
Hearing: House Natural Resource Committee– Feb. 25, 2025.
Topic: Federal Indian Trust Asset Management
Looking ahead:
Hearing: House Committee on Agriculture – March 4, 2025, at 10 a.m. eastern
Topic: The State of the Livestock Industry: Producer Perspectives
Hearing: Senate Subcommittee on Conservation, Climate, Forest, and Natural Resources – March 6, 2025, at 11 a.m. eastern
Topic: Legislative Hearing to Review H.R. 471, The Fix our Forests Act, and Options to Reduce Catastrophic Wildfire
Nomination opportunities:
Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission Permanent Advisory Committee
Agency: National Marine Fisheries Service; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Description: The Advisory Committee provides recommendations to the U.S. Commissioners to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission regarding the deliberations and decisions of the Commission.
Nomination due: March 24, 2025
Regulatory/Rulemaking Actions
Title: US Swine Health Improvement Plan; Reopening of Comment Period
- 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 March 31, 2025, will be considered.
Posted: Week of March 3