A publication of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
This Week:
USDA Helps with Food Assistance in Hurricane Sandy-affected Areas
EPA Seeks Comments on Regulatory Impacts on "Small-Entity" CAFOs
No Settlement Reached in CBD v. EPA
APHIS Reopens Comments on Response to Chrysanthemum White Rust
MN: State Venison Donation Program Available for Deer Hunters in 2012
OH: Department of Agriculture Director Appoints Deputy Directors
For More Information
Please contact a member of the NASDA Farm Policy Staff:
Bob Ehart
Amy Hendrickson
Nathan Bowen
Amanda Bryant
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November 6, 2012
News from Washington:
USDA Helps with Food Assistance in Hurricane Sandy-affected Areas
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is coordinating with States and partner organizations to provide disaster nutrition assistance to individuals in 13 states affected by Hurricane Sandy. In New Jersey and New York, USDA is working with state, and partner agencies to distribute USDA Foods to support congregate feeding efforts. For example, in Community Food Bank of New Jersey will combine USDA Foods with existing food stocks to produce 15,000 meals per day for 5-7 days to be distributed in cooperation with the Red Cross and Salvation Army at shelters. In New York, approximately 1.1 million pounds of USDA Foods will be distributed through nearly 1,000 designated emergency feeding outlets. USDA is also working closely with states and industry partners to ensure food assistance to affected residence, including reminding retailers of how to manually process SNAP transactions in areas affected by power outages, and helping states use stocks of USDA Foods purchased for the National School Lunch Program to help prepare meals at schools, shelters or other feeding sites for local residents who may be in need of nutrition assistance. For more information about disaster nutrition assistance, click here. (Contact: Amy Hendrickson)
EPA Seeks Comments on Regulatory Impacts on "Small-Entity" CAFOs
On October 31, 2012, EPA announced that it is seeking comments concerning regulation of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations under the Clean Water Act. The request for comments is in response to requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act which requires that a review on the impacts of regulation, specifically on small business, be conducted by federal agencies following enactment of a regulation. EPA is accepting comments through December 31, 2012. (Contact: Nathan Bowen)
No Settlement Reached in CBD v. EPA
Environmentalists and EPA failed to reach a settlement in Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) v. EPA. The suit seeks to force EPA to consult with the Services on 382 pesticides' impacts on over 200 species. Failure to reach a settlement will likely result in the judge lifting the stay in the case, as industry interveners in the case had argued. Relatedly, a District court in Arizona ruled that a similar ESA/Pesticide case must be tried in appellate courts under FIFRA rather than district courts under ESA. (Contact: Nathan Bowen)
APHIS Reopens Comments on Response to Chrysanthemum White Rust
APHIS has reopened its comment period on whether or how the response process on domestic chrysanthemum white rust (CWR) outbreaks should be improved. In addition, APHIS is asking for additional comments regarding the importation of plant material that serve as a host for CWR. The deadline to submit comments, which was originally on October 2, 2012, has been extended to November 30, 2012. Click here for more information on the proposed rule. (Written by: Gracie Bradford; Staff Contact: Bob Ehart)
News from the States:
Minnesota: State Venison Donation Program Available for Deer Hunters in 2012
With thousands of Minnesota deer hunters participating in the firearms season, the Minnesota Hunter Harvested Venison Donation Program is once again gearing up to provide hunters with the option to donate venison to help feed hungry Minnesotans.
The venison donation program is operated by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and state food shelves. The program provides a source of protein to people in need while helping reduce local deer populations. Minnesota hunters donated 421 deer to the program in 2011, which provided 15,520 pounds of processed venison to Minnesota food shelves. Funding for the program comes from a $1 surcharge placed on deer bonus permits. For more information, click here.
Ohio: Department of Agriculture Director Appoints Deputy Directors
Ohio Department of Agriculture Director David Daniels today announced appointments of Sereana Howard Dresbach and John Schlichter as new deputy directors to the department's senior management team.
Dresbach will oversee the divisions of Animal Health, Consumer Protection, Dairy, Food Safety and Meat Inspection. Prior to her new appointment, Dresbach served as education director for the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy and Sleep Medicine and the Center for Critical Care at Wexner Medical Center at The Ohio State University. In addition to her years of experience in education and research, she has been involved with agriculture and agribusiness at the state and national level with various organizations.
Schlichter will be responsible for overseeing the divisions of Plant Health, Livestock Environmental Permitting, Weights and Measures and Amusement Ride Safety. He brings 35 years of agribusiness experience to the department, as a part of Schlichter Farms and Bluegrass Farms of Ohio, Inc. Schlichter was also a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, serving the 85th district for six years, and previously served as a Fayette County Commissioner for four years. For more information, click here.
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