[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 95 (Wednesday, May 18, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-12006]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 18, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Commodity Credit Corporation

7 CFR Parts 1413 and 1421

RIN 0560-AD18

 

1994 Rice Acreage Reduction Program

AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation, USDA.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This final rule amends the regulations to establish the 
acreage reduction percentage for the 1994 crop of rice at zero percent 
and to establish the price support rates for the 1993 and 1994 crops of 
rice. Such price support rates are established by statutory formula. 
These actions are required by section 101B of the Agricultural Act of 
1949 (the 1949 Act), as amended. Public comment regarding the 1994 rice 
program provisions was requested in the Federal Register on October 12, 
1993.

EFFECTIVE DATE: May 17, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gene S. Rosera, Agricultural 
Economist, Fibers and Rice Analysis Division, Agricultural 
Stabilization and Conservation Service, United States Department of 
Agriculture, room 3758-S, P.O. Box 2415, Washington, DC 20013-2415 or 
call 202-720-6734.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Executive Order 12866

    This final rule is issued in conformance with Executive Order 12866 
and has been determined to be economically significant because it would 
have an annual effect on the economy of more than $100 million. A Final 
Regulatory Impact Analysis estimates net income from the production of 
rice under the selected program at $434.4 million, with established 
(target) price payments estimated at $72.7 million. Based on other 
Department estimates, it has been determined that this final rule:
    (1) Would not adversely affect in a material way the economy, a 
sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the 
environment, public health or safety, or State, local, or tribal 
governments or communities;
    (2) Would not create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere 
with an action taken or planned by another agency;
    (3) Would not materially alter the budgetary impact of 
entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or rights and 
obligations of recipients thereof; and
    (4) Would not raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of 
legal mandates, the President's priorities, or principles set forth in 
Executive Order 12866.

Final Regulatory Impact Analysis

    The Final Regulatory Impact Analysis describing the options 
considered in developing this final rule and the impact of the 
implementation of the selected option is available on request from the 
above-named individual.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    It has been determined that the Regulatory Flexibility Act is not 
applicable to this rule since the Commodity Credit Corporation is not 
required to request comments with respect to the subject matter of this 
rule.

Environmental Evaluation

    It has been determined by an environmental evaluation that this 
action will have no significant impact on the quality of the human 
environment. Therefore, neither an Environmental Assessment nor an 
Environmental Impact Statement is needed.

Federal Assistance Program

    The title and number of the Federal assistance program, as found in 
the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance, to which this final rule 
applies, are as follows: Rice Production Stabilization--10.065.

Executive Order 12372

    This program/activity is not subject to the provisions of Executive 
Order 12372, which requires intergovernmental consultation with State 
and local officials. See the Notice related to 7 CFR part 3015, subpart 
V, published at 48 FR 29115 (June 24, 1983).

Executive Order 12778

    This final rule has been reviewed in accordance with Executive 
Order 12778. The provisions of the final rule do not preempt State 
laws, are not retroactive, and do not involve administrative appeals.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The amendments to 7 CFR parts 1413 and 1421 set forth in this final 
rule do not contain information collections that require clearance by 
the Office of Management and Budget under the provisions of 44 U.S.C. 
35.

Background

    This final rule amends 7 CFR part 1413 to set forth the acreage 
reduction requirement under the 1994 Rice Program.
    A proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on October 
12, 1993, at 58 FR 52686 to amend the regulations at 7 CFR part 1413 
with respect to the 1994 rice acreage reduction program (ARP) 
requirements.
    During the period for public comment that ended November 12, 1993, 
thirty-one comments were received regarding the acreage reduction 
requirement for the 1994 crop of rice. One comment favored no ARP, 26 
favored an ARP of zero percent, 3 favored an ARP of 5 percent, and 1 
favored an ARP of 15 percent.
    After reviewing the comments, it has been decided that the 1994 
crop acreage reduction requirement shall be zero percent. This level is 
selected because it permits the highest level of rice production while 
continuing 50/85 program benefits and achieving the stocks-to-use goals 
of section 101B of the 1949 Act. Public comments regarding the level of 
the national average price support rates for the 1993 and 1994 crops 
were not requested because such rates are established by statutory 
formula.

List of Subjects

7 CFR Part 1413

    Acreage allotments, Cotton, Disaster assistance, Feed grains, Price 
support programs, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Rice, Soil 
conservation, Wheat.

7 CFR Part 1421

    Grains, Loan programs--agriculture, Oilseeds, Peanuts, Price 
support programs, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Soybeans, 
Surety bonds, Warehouses.

    Accordingly, 7 CFR parts 1413 and 1421 are amended as follows:

PART 1413--FEED GRAIN, RICE, UPLAND AND EXTRA LONG STAPLE COTTON, 
WHEAT AND RELATED PROGRAMS

    1. The authority citation for 7 CFR part 1413 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1308, 1308a, 1309, 1441-2, 1444-2, 1444f, 
1445b-3a, 1461-1469; 15 U.S.C. 714b and 714c.

    2. In Sec. 1413.54, paragraph (a)(4)(iii) is revised, paragraph 
(a)(4)(iv) is added, the introductory text of paragraph (d)(4) is 
republished, and paragraph (d)(4)(v) is added to read as follows:


Sec. 1413.54  Acreage reduction program provisions.

    (a) * * *
    (4) * * *
    (iii) 1993 rice, 5 percent;
    (iv) 1994 rice, 0 percent.
* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (4) For the 1994 crop:
* * * * *
    (v) Shall not be made available to producers of rice.
* * * * *

PART 1421--GRAINS AND SIMILARLY HANDLED COMMODITIES

    3. The authority citation for 7 CFR part 1421 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1421, 1423, 1425, 1441z, 1444f-1, 1445b-3a, 
1445c-3, 1445e, and 1446f; 15 U.S.C. 714b and 714c.

    4. In Sec. 1421.7, paragraphs (c)(7)(iii) and (c)(7)(iv) are added 
to read as follows:


Sec. 1421.7  Adjustment of basic support rates.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (7) * * *
    (iii) 1993 Rice--$6.50 per hundredweight;
    (iv) 1994 Rice--$6.50 per hundredweight;
* * * * *
    Signed at Washington, DC, on May 12, 1994.
Bruce R. Weber,
Acting Executive Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. 94-12006 Filed 5-17-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P