USDA removes regulations banning unintentional discrimination in federal programs

The Department of Agriculture is deleting parts of its own rules that prohibited recipients of federal money from using practices that might unintentionally disadvantage people based on race, color, or national origin. These changes align USDA policy with a new executive order and recent court decisions that say the law only bans intentional discrimination.

Why it matters: This change shifts how the USDA enforces civil rights rules in its programs, including farm loans, conservation grants, and food assistance administration. It means recipients of federal agricultural money no longer have to prove their policies do not disproportionately affect certain racial groups unless there is evidence of deliberate discrimination. While this reduces compliance complexity for many organizations, it also limits one tool previously used to address systemic inequities in program access.

Who it affects

• State and local governments that administer USDA programs like SNAP or conservation initiatives

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This rule was issued by the Agriculture Department’s Office of the Secretary and published in the Federal Register; readers should review the full text at 90 FR 36512 before relying on it.

Agency: Agriculture Department,
Source: Federal Register — read the official document