Brook Duer—Staff Attorney
Audry Thompson—Research Assistant
Audry Thompson—Research Assistant
The
Agricultural Law Weekly Review provides an update of recent agricultural law
developments from the local, state, national, and international levels.
Subscribe to the ALWR at
pennstateaglaw.com.
Food
Labeling: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Provides Whole Milk Labeling
Guidance
On
February 19, 2020, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Food
Safety issued a guidance
document to Pennsylvania dairy processors outlining what methodology can be
employed in labeling the fat content of whole milk. In March 2019, a collection of Pennsylvania
dairy farmers formed an advocacy group called “97 Milk, LLC,” which advocates for
whole milk consumption and designating whole milk as ‘97%
Fat Free.’ However, the guidance
document states that, according to FDA, a ‘% Fat Free’ label can only be
employed on 1% Low Fat or Skim milk packaging. The document also states: (a)
FDA defines whole milk as milk containing between 3.25% and 18% milkfat; and
(b) whole milk could be labeled with its fat content as a percentage, if
accurate.
Tax Policy: Pennsylvania
Agriculture Secretary Publishes Support for Slots Tax Re-Direction from Equine
Industry to Higher Education Scholarships
On
February 22, 2020, Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding, who is
also the appointed Chairman of the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission,
published a guest columnist op-ed in the Daily Local News of Exton, Pennsylvania titled, “Opinion:
Even
if by a nose, horse racing must become self-sufficient.” The op-ed advocates for Pennsylvania Governor
Tom Wolf’s proposed legislative redirection of $200 million annually in slot
machine tax revenue from the Race Horse Development Fund to the proposed Nellie
Bly Scholarship Fund. The Race Horse
Development Fund was created by Pennsylvania’s 2004 Gaming Act to receive a
portion of the state’s slot machine tax and economically stimulate Pennsylvania’s
equine industry by subsidizing purse money at Pennsylvania’s six
racetracks. The proposed Nellie Bly
Scholarship Fund would fund scholarships awarded to Pennsylvania residents by
the fourteen Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education public
universities.
National Agricultural Policy: USDA Announces Agriculture
Innovation Initiative
On February 20, 2020, USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue publicly
presented the agency’s “Agriculture Innovation Initiative” at USDA’s annual Agricultural
Outlook Forum in Arlington, Virginia, which USDA describes as “a department-wide initiative to align resources, programs,
and research” which
“will stimulate innovation so that American agriculture
can achieve the goal of increasing production by forty percent while cutting
the environmental footprint of U.S. agriculture in half by 2050.” The agenda identifies a three-part plan to
achieve this goal by: (i) creating a strategy to align public and private
research; (ii) integrating the latest productivity, conservation practices and
technologies; and (iii) improve USDA data collection and reporting on
conservation practices. Benchmarks
include reducing food loss and waste by fifty percent by 2030, reducing nutrient
loss by thirty percent by 2050, and supporting biofuels production, efficiency,
and competitiveness to produce ‘market-driven’ blends of E15 in 2030 and E30 in
2050.
Water
Issues: Department of Interior Directs
Water Increase to California Central Valley
On
February 19, 2020, President Trump signed a Memorandum
and Order in a ceremony conducted in
Bakersfield, California which implements a U.S. Department of Interior initiative and authorizes the agency to direct water from the San
Francisco Bay Delta to California’s Central Valley in order to irrigate
farmland. The action was prevented for several
decades by scientific opinions issued by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees
that it would harm delta smelt and chinook salmon, both protected by the
Endangered Species Act of 1973. On
February 20, 2020, the State
of California sued the Department of the Interior in
the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California seeking to
reverse the action. On February 25, 2020, the first
allocation of water to California’s Central
Valley was made.
Wildlife Issues: Canada Geese Depredation Order Expanded by
Thirty Days
On February 25, 2020, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service published a final rule at 85 FR 10621, effective March
26, 2020, updating a 2006 rule that had established a depredation order allowing take of resident Canada
geese at agricultural facilities in enumerated Atlantic Flyway states by authorized
methods by authorized personnel between May 1 and August 31. The new final rule states the time period designated
in 2006 no longer adequately protects crops planted in early spring. The amended time period is now April 1
through August 31 at agricultural facilities in the following states: Connecticut,
Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New
Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina,
Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Food Policy: FDA Reopens 2005 Standard of Identity Proposed
Rule Comment Period
On February 21, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) published notice in the Federal Register at 85
FR 10107 that it was reopening the comment
period on a 2005
proposed rule titled, “Food Standards; General
Principles and Food Standards Modernization.” While the initial rule was jointly published
with USDA, the reopened comment period, closing on April 21, 2020, solicits comments
addressed only to the “FDA-specific aspects of the proposed rule.” The 2005 regulatory amendment was intended to
commence a process “to modernize FDA definitions and standards of identity (and
standards of quality and fill of container).”
Penn State Research & News:
Jeff Mulhollem, Feed
supplement for dairy cows cuts their methane emission by about a quarter (Feb. 20, 2020).
Jeff Mulhollem, Forest
'duff' must be considered in controlled burning to avoid damaging trees (Feb. 21, 2020).
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Press Releases:
Department of Agriculture Offers Milk Processors New Labeling Advice, Opportunity to Rebrand Whole Milk (Feb. 19, 2020).
Department of Agriculture Offers Milk Processors New Labeling Advice, Opportunity to Rebrand Whole Milk (Feb. 19, 2020).
Pennsylvania
Adds 39 Farms, 2,848 Acres to Nation-Leading Farmland Preservation Program (Feb. 20, 2020).
Agriculture
Secretary Announces Research Funding to Combat Chronic Wasting Disease in PA
Deer (Feb. 25, 2020).
U.S. Department of Agriculture Press Releases:
USDA and EPA Announce Continued Commitment to Support Rural Water Systems (Feb. 20, 2020).
USDA and EPA Announce Continued Commitment to Support Rural Water Systems (Feb. 20, 2020).
USDA
and USTR Announce Progress on Implementation of U.S.-China Phase One Agreement (Feb. 25, 2020).
USDA
Expands Market for U.S. Wheat: Adds Idaho, Oregon, and Washington to List of
States that Can Export Wheat to Kenya (Feb.
25, 2020).
Pennsylvania Executive Agencies—Actions and
Notices:
Department of Agriculture
50 Pa.B. 1122 “Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Annual Plan for Awarding Grants
under the Pennsylvania Agricultural Fair Act,” Notice (Feb. 22, 2020).
Fish and Boat Commission
50 Pa.B. 1194 “Classification of Wild Trout Streams; Additions, Revisions
and Removal,” Notice (Feb. 22, 2020).
50 Pa.B. 1194 “Additions to List of Class A Wild Trout Waters,” Notice (Feb. 22, 2020).
50 Pa.B. 1195 “Classification of Wild Trout Streams; Proposed Additions
and Revisions; April 2020,” Notice (Feb.
22, 2020).
50 Pa.B. 1199 “Proposed Changes to List of Class A Wild Trout Waters;
April 2020,” Notice (Feb. 22, 2020).
Susquehanna River Basin Commission
50 Pa.B. 1232 “Grandfathering Registration Notice,” Notice (Feb. 22, 2020).
50 Pa.B. 1232 “Commission Meeting [Friday, March 13, 2020],” Notice (Feb. 22, 2020).
Pennsylvania Legislature:
H.B. 2289 “An Act amending the act of June 1, 1937 (P.L.1168,
No.294), known as the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Act, further providing for
definitions; providing for notice and regulations; further providing for unfair
labor practices and for representatives and elections; providing for initial
collective bargaining agreement; and further providing for prevention of unfair
labor practices and for penalties,” Referred to Labor and Industry [House] (Feb. 18, 2020).
S.B. 1041 “An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6,
No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in sales and use tax, further
providing for definitions [Preserving the Sales Tax Exemption for Multi-Purpose
Agriculture Vehicles],” Referred to Finance [Senate] (Feb. 19, 2020).
S.B. 1036 “An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6,
No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in sales and use tax, further
providing for definitions [Clarification of Sales Tax Exemption for Cervidae
Livestock Operations],” Referred to Finance [Senate] (Feb. 19, 2020).
H.B. 1755
“An Act amending the act of May 15, 1945 (P.L.547, No.217), known as the
Conservation District Law, providing for legislative report,” Referred to Agriculture and Rural Affairs
[Senate] (Feb. 19, 2020).
H.B. 1737
“An Act amending the act of May 19, 1995 (P.L.33, No.3), known as the Economic
Development Agency, Fiduciary and Lender Environmental Liability Protection
Act, further providing for definitions [Environmental liability exemption for
land banks],” Referred to Environmental
Resources and Energy [Senate] (Feb. 19, 2020).
H.B. 1584
“An Act amending Title 30 (Fish) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, repealing provisions relating to
waterways patrolmen and employees,” Referred
to Game and Fisheries [Senate] (Feb. 19, 2020).
H.B. 1536
“An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes,
in general provisions, further providing for definitions; in licensing of
drivers, further providing for suspension of operating privilege; in rules of
the road in general . . . [Vulnerable Highway User Protections],” Referred to Transportation [Senate] (Feb.
19, 2020).
H.B. 2315 “An
Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform
Code of 1971, in personal income tax, further providing for operational
provisions and providing for contributions for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat
Commission and the Pennsylvania Game Commission,” Referred to Game and Fisheries [House] (Feb. 24, 2020)
Federal Executive Agencies—Actions and Notices:
Agricultural Department
85 FR 9451
“Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request [Food and Nutrition Service: Summer
Food Service Program Integrity Study]” Notice
(Feb. 19, 2020).
85 FR 9721
“Agency Information Collection Activities [USDA Registration Form to Request
Electronic Access Code],” Notice (Feb.
20, 2020).
85 FR 10647
“Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request [Rural Housing Service: Planning
and Performing Construction and Other Development],” Notice (Feb. 25, 2020).
Agricultural Marketing
Service
85 FR 9399
“Quality Systems Verification Programs,” Proposed
Rule—Comment Period (Feb. 19, 2020).
85 FR 9699
“Marketing Order Regulating the Handling of Spearmint Oil Produced in the Far
West; Salable Quantities and Allotment Percentages for the 2020-2021 Marketing
Year,” Proposed Rule—Comment Period (Feb.
20, 2020).
85 FR 10096
“Tomatoes Grown in Florida; Proposed Amendments to the Marketing Order No. 966
and Referendum Order,” Proposed Rule
(Feb. 21, 2020).
85 FR 10398
“Peanut Standards Board; Request for Nominations,” Notice (Feb. 24, 2020).
Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service
85 FR 10562
“National Veterinary Accreditation Program,” Rule (Feb. 25, 2020).
Environmental Protection Agency
85 FR 10642
“Receipt of a Pesticide Petition Filed for Residues of Pesticide Chemicals in
or on Various Commodities,” Proposed
Rule—Comment Period (Feb. 25, 2020).
Farm Credit Administration
85 FR 10035
“Oversight of the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation,” Rule (Feb. 21, 2020).
Farm Service Agency
85 FR 9722
“Information Collection Requests; Farm Loan Programs: Inventory Property
Management, Direct Loan Servicing-Regular, General Program Administration, and
Guaranteed Farm Loan Program,” Notice—Comment
Period (Feb. 20, 2020).
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation
85 FR 9452
“Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection
[Ineligibility for Programs under the Federal Crop Insurance Act,’” Notice—Comment Period (Feb. 19, 2020).
85 FR 9451
“Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection
[Area Risk Protection Insurance],” Notice—Comment
Period (Feb. 19, 2020).
Federal Emergency
Management Agency
85 FR 9675
“Suspension of Community Eligibility [Florida],” Rule (Feb. 20, 2020).
85 FR 10458
“Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment
Request; National Flood Insurance Program Policy Forms” Notice—Comment Period (Feb. 24, 2020).
Fish and Wildlife Service
85 FR 10621
“Migratory Bird Permits; Regulations for Managing Resident Canada Goose
Populations; Agricultural Facilities in the Atlantic Flyway,” Rule (Feb. 25, 2020).
Food and Drug Administration
85 FR 9783
“Compounding Animal Drugs From Bulk Drug Substances; Draft Guidance for
Industry; Availability; Reopening of Comment Period,”
Notice—Comment
Period (Feb. 20, 2020).
85 FR 10172
“Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment
Request; Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards,” Notice—Comment Period (Feb. 21, 2020).
85 FR 10107
“Food Standards; General Principles and Food Standards Modernization; Reopening
of the Comment Period,” Proposed Rule
(Feb. 21, 2020).
85 FR 10057
“Definition of the Term ‘Biological Product’” Rule (Feb. 21, 2020).
85 FR 10632
“Unilever; Filing of Food Additive Petition,” Proposed Rule (Feb. 25, 2020).
Food and Nutrition Service.
85 FR 9453
“Agency Information Collection Activities: Special Supplemental Nutrition
Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program Regulations-Reporting
and Record-Keeping Burden,” Notice—Comment
Period (Feb. 19, 2020).
Food Safety and Inspection Service
85 FR 10401
“Notice of Request for a New Information Collection: Voluntary Destruction of
Imported Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products,” Notice—Comment
Period (Feb. 24, 2020).
85 FR 10402
“Notice of Request for Renewal of an Approved Information Collection
(Sanitation SOPs and Pathogen Reduction/HACCP),” Notice—Comment Period (Feb. 24, 2020).
85 FR 10648
“Notice of Request for Renewal of an Approved Information Collection
(Procedures for the Notification of New Technology and Requests for Waivers),” Notice—Comment Period (Feb. 25, 2020).
Health and Human Services Department
85 FR 9474
“Meeting of the Tick-Borne Disease Working Group,” Notice
(Feb. 19, 2020).
Justice Department
85 FR 9807
“Notice of Lodging of Proposed Consent Decree Under the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act and Request for Comments on Draft
Restoration Plans and Environmental Assessments,” Notice (Feb. 20, 2020).
85 FR 9806
“Notice of Lodging of Proposed Consent Decree Under the Clean Water Act,” Notice (Feb. 20, 2020).
Land Management Bureau
85 FR 10188
“Notice of Availability of the Wyoming Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement for Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation,” Notice (Feb. 21, 2020).
85 FR 10184
“Notice of Availability of the Utah Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement for Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation,” Notice (Feb. 21, 2020).
85 FR 10186
“Notice of Availability of the Oregon Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement for Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation,” Notice (Feb. 21, 2020).
85 FR 10183
“Notice of Availability of the Northwest Colorado Draft Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement for Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation,” Notice (Feb. 21, 2020).
85 FR 10184
“Notice of Availability of the Nevada and Northeastern California Draft
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for Greater Sage-Grouse
Conservation,” Notice (Feb. 21,
2020).
85 FR 10185
“Notice of Availability of the Idaho Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement for Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation,” Notice (Feb. 21, 2020).
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
85 FR 9725
“Guarantee Fee Rates for Guaranteed Loans for Fiscal Year 2020, Maximum Portion
of Guarantee Authority Available for Fiscal Year 2020, Annual Renewal Fee for
Fiscal Year 2020,” Notice (Feb. 20,
2020).
Rural Utilities Service
85 FR 10555
“Special Servicing of Telecommunications Programs Loans for Financially
Distressed Borrowers,” Rule—Comment
Period (Feb. 25, 2020).
U.S. House Agriculture Committee Actions:
H.R.5915
“Making Essentials Available and Lawful (MEAL) Act of 2020,” Referred to Committee on Agriculture and
Committee on Ways and Means (Feb. 14, 2020).
H.R.5920
“MONARCH Act of 2020,” Referred to
Committees on Agriculture; Natural Resources; and Appropriations (Feb. 14,
2020).
S.2107
“Protecting America's Food and Agriculture Act of 2019,” Presented to President (Feb. 20, 2020).
U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, And Forestry Committee
Actions:
No
new actions Feb. 19–25, 2020
S.3292
“A bill to amend the Federal Crop Insurance Act to reduce Federal spending on
crop insurance, and for other purposes” Read
twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
(Feb. 13, 2020).
S.3293
“A bill to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to establish
the Food and Nutrition Education in Schools Pilot Program, and for other
purposes” Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (Feb. 13, 2020).
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Feb. 19–25, 2020 #AgLaw links:
Larger Soybean and Cotton Plantings Due to
Trade Deal? Successful Farming
DFA, Dean reach $425m deal, Feedstuffs
GAO opens investigation into USDA trade aid, Feedstuffs
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