Summary
- The Tribal Advisory Committee will have its third meeting on September 5, set to take place virtually with a public comment period from 6 to 7 p.m. eastern. Find more information and how to attend at usda.gov/tribalrelations/advisory-committee.
- USDA announced a Tribal Consultation on September 12 regarding the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) disruptions. IFAI will facilitate a Tribal Caucus on September 5 in preparation for an emergency USDA consultation. Register for the Tribal Caucus at bit.ly/EMFDPIR24.
- There is a Federal Register notice regarding APHIS’ request to extend collection activities regarding highly pathogenic Avian influenza in livestock and dairy herd.
Key Policy-Related Dates
Tribal Consultation/Listening Sessions/Advisory Committee Meetings:
About: This is the third meeting of the Tribal Advisory Committee in its role to provide advice and guidance to the U.S. Department of Agriculture on issues pertaining to Tribal and Indian affairs. A copy of the agenda will be published once available.
Meeting Date(s):
- September 5, 2024: 12:00 – 7:00 p.m. eastern.
- Members of the public wanting to give oral comments to the Committee, must arrive by 5:00 p.m. eastern on September 5, 2024, and will be expected to limit their comments to no more than five (5) minutes per person.
About: USDA will meet with Tribal leaders about the recent Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) supply chain disruptions, which are affecting inventory levels at CSFP and FDPIR sites.
Consultation Date(s):
- September 12, 2024: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. eastern.
About: The Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative (IFAI) will facilitate a Tribal Caucus in preparation for the USDA Tribal Consultation and Listening Sessions on the recent FDPIR warehouse issues. IFAI and NAFDPIR staff can provide attendees background on the national warehouse issue as well as proposed solutions and overviews of the consultation process happening on September 12.
Caucus Date(s):
- September 5, 2024: 1:30 p.m. central.
Congressional updates
Looking Back:
Congress was not in session last week.
Looking Ahead:
There are no Congressional Hearings relevant to Indian Country Agriculture this week.
Nomination Opportunities:
There are no nominations at this time.
Regulatory/Rulemaking Actions:
Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection re Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Livestock and Dairy Herd
- USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is requesting public comments on its extension of approval of an information collection regarding highly pathogenic avian influenza.
- APHIS is encouraging farmers and veterinarians to report cattle illnesses quickly and implement biosecurity measures.
- The Federal Order which went into effect on April 24, 2024, requires lactating dairy cattle be tested before interstate movement and laboratories report positive Influenza A cases in livestock. APHIS is asking the Office of Management and Budget to approve our use of this information collection activity for 3 years.
- Comments submitted by October 28, 2024, will be considered
Posted: Week of September 2, 2024
Title: Submission for OMB Review on the School Meals Operations Study
- USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is requesting comments on the School Meals Operations Study, which helps the Agency answer annual research questions about child nutrition programs.
- Information collected informs the budget process, current policy interests, training and technical assistance for State agencies and school food authorities, as well as identify child nutrition program trends.
- Comments received by September 23, 2024 will be considered.
Posted: Week of August 26, 2024
Title: Fair and Competitive Livestock and Poultry Markets – Extension of comment period
- 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 September 11, 2024
Posted: Week of August 26, 2024
- USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service has issued a final rule on regulations, allowing Tribes or Tribal organizations to sponsor watershed projects.
- Effective August 14, 2024, federally recognized Tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, or Tribal organizations will be allowed to become watershed project sponsors.
- This rule increases Tribal ability to be a sponsor for watershed projects such as preventing damage and erosion as well as conservation efforts to develop, utilize, and dispose water.
- Comments submitted by September 13, 2024, will be considered.
Posted: Week of August 26