The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is proposing revisions to the regulations governing the inspection and certification of fresh fruits, vegetables and other products. These proposed changes include a per-pound fee structure for certain Section 8e import inspections, a minimum fee equivalent to a 2-hour charge computed at the current established hourly rate, whichever is greater, and a 50 percent reduction to the sublot fee.

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will conduct a stakeholder meeting to seek feedback on current swine and pork marketing methods and the USDA AMS Livestock Mandatory Reporting (LMR) program.  AMS is interested in receiving views on current swine and pork marketing methods, challenges with reporting market information, general presentation of AMS market news information, and other enhancements the agency can make to meet industry needs.

The meeting will be held August 21-22, 2024, at the:

Summary Information

• Meeting details, presentations, and voting summary 

Certification, Accreditation, and Compliance (CACS)

• Opportunities in Organic - Improving Support for Organic Transition (pdf)

Handling (HS)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking comments on a proposal to reapportion the United Soybean Board’s member representation by adding a member from New York and removing a member from North Dakota. The proposed adjustment is necessary to reflect shifts in soybean production levels occurring in each state since the last board reapportionment in 2021 and as required by the Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act (Act).

The Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, a federally recognized sovereign nation, awarded $566,240 from the USDA AMS under the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program, will purchase up to 89,000 pounds of fresh, healthy, and nutritious produce from 35 regional and local socially disadvantaged farmers/producers to help increase their economic resiliency.

The LFPA Plus will support an expansion of PYT’s Food Programs through three departments: The Tribe’s Department of Senior Services Liogue Senior Center, the Department of Social Services’ program, Tu’I Bwa’ame Food Pantry, and the Education Department’s Ili Uusim Mahtawa’apo Head Start. Monthly, the number of meals for seniors provided through food boxes and onsite congregant dining will increase from 1,200 to 1,400. The number of food boxes distributed at the Food Pantry will increase by 45% (440 boxes), and Head Start will increase by 49% (568 boxes).