USDA Refines Plant Pest and Weed Reporting Drudgery
Published Date: 2/27/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Agriculture is asking for public feedback on a paperwork update about plant pest and weed rules. If you’re involved in farming, gardening, or plant protection, this affects you! Comments are open until March 30, 2026, and the goal is to make the info collection easier and clearer without costing extra time or money.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Collections Support Pest Prevention
APHIS will use these information collections to evaluate and mitigate risks from the importation or interstate movement of plants, plant products, biological control organisms, noxious weeds, soil, and regulated garbage. The notice states that introduction and establishment of new plant pests or noxious weeds could result in severe physical and economic losses to American agriculture, and the collections are used to help prevent those losses.
Paperwork Burden for Plant Rules
State or local governments, businesses, and individuals who respond to APHIS plant pest and noxious weed rules must complete permit applications, compliance agreements, inspections, certifications, labeling, recordkeeping, and related forms under 7 CFR parts 330 and 360. APHIS reports this information collection covers 5,806 respondents and totals 12,168 burden hours (OMB Control No. 0579-0054); comments on the collection are due March 30, 2026.
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