Summary
- Last week, Senate Appropriations passed the FY2025 funding bill for USDA-FDA and other agencies.
- The Department of Interior is hosting several July consultations/listening sessions taking place in-person and online to discuss the PROGRESS Act. They have also scheduled two virtual consultations and one listening session in August and September about a proposed rule on Federal acknowledgment of Indian tribes.
- There is a Tribal consultation and listening session on July 29 about FNS’ research study on the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
- There are no Congressional hearings related to Tribal food and agriculture this week.
Key Policy-Related Dates
Tribal Consultation/Listening Sessions/Advisory Committee Meetings:
Title of Event: Tribal Consultation on a Proposed Rule Regarding Subchapter IV of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA) and the Department of Interior’s Tribal Self-Governance Program
About: The Department of Interior is holding 4 Tribal consultations (3 in-person and 1 virtual) this month to seek feedback on a proposed rule amending regulations in subchapter IV of ISDEAA as required by the PROGRESS Act. Written Comments must be submitted by Thursday, August 22, 2024, to consultation@bia.gov
Consultation Date(s):
- July 17, 2024: 1 – 4 p.m. central (in-person)
- Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Auditorium, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service – 3815 American Blvd E., Bloomington, MN
- July 19, 2024: 1 – 4 p.m. mountain (in-person)
- U.S. Bureau of Land Management National Training Center Classroom – 9828 N 31st Ave. Phoenix, AZ
- July 22, 2024: 1 – 4 p.m. eastern (online)
Title of Event: Tribal Consultation and Listening Session Concerning a Research Study on the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
About: USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service is conducting a research study in a sample of Territories and ITOs to examine how operations are uniquely different than in other WIC State agencies and determine how this impacts the program experience. Findings from the research study could inform program or policy adjustments to ensure equitable operations and services for all WIC participants.
Consultation Date(s):
- July 29, 2024: 2 – 4 p.m. eastern (zoom login will be available starting at 1:30 p.m. eastern)
- The consultation and listening sessions will be done virtually with a registration deadline of Sunday, July 28, 2024.
- Click button below to register.
Title of Event: Proposed Rule: Federal Acknowledgment of Indian Tribes (25 CFR 83)
About: Groups petitioning for Federal acknowledgment as Indian Tribes and groups seeking to re-petition for Federal acknowledgment are invited to attend two virtual consultation sessions and one listening session
Consultation Date(s):
- August 19, 2024: 2:00 p.m. central. (Registration Link)
- September 3, 2024: 12:00 p.m. central. (Registration Link)
Listening Session Date(s):
- September 5, 2024: 2:00 p.m. central. (Registration Link)
Congressional updates
Looking Back:
Hearing: Senate Appropriations Committee – Thursday, July 11.
Topic: Full Committee Markup of the the “Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025.”
Highlights:
- The Committee voted unanimously to pass FY 2025 Appropriations Bill for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies.
- The Bill fully funds WIC, SNAP, and Child Nutrition Programs, and increases funding for the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) by $43 million over fiscal year 2024: (Bill Summary)
Looking Ahead:
There are no Congressional hearings related to Tribal food and agriculture this week.
Nomination Opportunities:
What is this nomination for? FSA County Committees
Description: USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees are an important part of the day-to-day operations of FSA. These committees allow grassroots input and location administration of federal farm programs. More than 7,700 dedicated members of the agricultural community serve on FSA county committees across the U.S. The committees are made up of three to 11 members who serve three-year terms. County committees impact the administration of the Farm Service Agency within a community. They help make determinations on programs such as disaster assistance, hiring decisions, and assist with outreach. County committee members can impact producers through their decision-making and help shape the culture of a local FSA office.
Where can I submit a nomination: Find out where and how to nominate qualified individuals in your FSA Local Administrative Areas (LAA) on FSA’s website here.
Deadline: Aug. 1, 2024
Regulatory/Rulemaking Actions:
Title: Federal Acknowledgment of American Indian Tribes
- The Department of Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs is seeking public comments on a second notice of proposed rulemaking that creates a conditional, time-limited opportunity for denied petitioners to re-petition for Federal acknowledgment as an Indian Tribe.
- Groups petitioning for Federal acknowledgment must meet seven mandatory criteria that include: Indian Entity Identification, Community, and Political Authority.
- Comments must be received by September 13, 2024.
- Posted: Week of July 15
Title: Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP)
- ELAP provides emergency relief to eligible producers of livestock, honeybees, and farm-raised fish for losses due to disease (including cattle tick fever), adverse weather, or other conditions, such as blizzards and wildfires, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture, that are not covered by the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) or the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP).
- This final rule, which takes effect on July 1, 2024, makes changes to ELAP to provide financial assistance to dairy producers who face milk losses due to H5N1 infection of their dairy herds.
- The federal register notice outlines eligibility criteria, application process, and payment calculations.
Posted: Week of July 1
Title: Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP)
- ELAP provides emergency relief to eligible producers of livestock, honeybees, and farm-raised fish for losses due to disease (including cattle tick fever), adverse weather, or other conditions, such as blizzards and wildfires, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture, that are not covered by the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) or the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP).
- This final rule, which takes effect on July 1, 2024, makes changes to ELAP to provide financial assistance to dairy producers who face milk losses due to H5N1 infection of their dairy herds.
- The federal register notice outlines eligibility criteria, application process, and payment calculations.
Posted: Week of July 1
- USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is proposing a rule that would define unfair practices as conduct that harms market participants and conduct that harms the market.
- The purpose of this proposed rule is to promote fair and competitive markets in the livestock, meats, poultry, and live poultry markets.
- Comments must be received by August 27, 2024
Posted: Week of July 1