[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 214 (Monday, November 7, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-27539]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: November 7, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Commodity Credit Corporation

7 CFR Part 1413

RIN 0560-AD42

 

1995 Extra Long Staple Cotton Program

AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: This proposed rule would amend the regulations to set forth 
the acreage reduction percentage used in administering the acreage 
reduction program (ARP) for the 1995 crop of extra long staple (ELS) 
cotton. This action is required by section 103(h)(5) of the 
Agricultural Act of 1949 as amended (the 1949 Act).

DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 18, 1994 in 
order to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Comments must be mailed to Wayne Bjorlie, Farm Services 
Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), room 3754-S, P.O. Box 
2415, Washington, DC 20013-2415.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathryn A. Broussard, Farm Service 
Agency, USDA, room 3758-S, P.O. Box 2415, Washington, DC 20013-2415 or 
call 202-720-9222.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Executive Order 12866

    This proposed rule has been determined to be significant and was 
reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under Executive 
Order 12866.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    It has been determined that the Regulatory Flexibility Act is not 
applicable to this proposed rule since the Commodity Credit Corporation 
(CCC) is not required by 5 U.S.C. 553 or any other provision of law to 
publish a notice of proposed rulemaking with respect to the subject 
matter of these determinations.

Environmental Evaluation

    It has been determined by an environmental evaluation that this 
action will not have a 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 rule applies 
are: Cotton Production Stabilization--10.052.

Executive Order 12778

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

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 notice related to 7 CFR part 3015, subpart V, 
published at 48 FR 29115 (June 24, 1983).

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The amendments to 7 CFR part 1413 set forth in this proposed rule 
do not contain information collections that require clearance by the 
OMB under the provisions of 44 U.S.C. 35.

Request for Public Comment

    Comments are requested with respect to this proposed rule and such 
comments shall be considered in developing the final rule.

Background

    In accordance with section 103(h)(5) of the 1949 Act, an ARP may be 
established for the 1995 crop of ELS cotton if it is determined that 
the total supply of ELS cotton, in the absence of an ARP, will be 
excessive, taking into account the need for an adequate carry-over to 
maintain reasonable and stable prices and to meet a national emergency.
    Land diversion payments also may be made to producers of ELS 
cotton, whether or not an ARP for ELS cotton is in effect, if needed to 
assist in adjusting the total national acreage of ELS cotton to 
desirable goals. A paid land diversion has not been considered because, 
given the existing supply/use situation, it is not needed.
    If an ARP is announced, the reduction shall be achieved by applying 
a uniform percentage reduction (including a zero percentage reduction) 
to the ELS crop acreage base for each ELS cotton-producing farm. 
Producers who knowingly produce ELS cotton in excess of the permitted 
acreage for the farm are ineligible for CCC ELS cotton price support 
loans and payments with respect to that farm.
    Based on 1995 supply/use estimates as of September 1994, four 
options are considered. However, because of changes in the 1995 supply/
use situation that may develop between now and the announcement date 
for the acreage reduction percentage, the actual percentage may be 
different from the options discussed in this proposed rule.
    The 1995 ARP options considered are:
    Option 1. 10-percent acreage reduction percentage.
    Option 2. 15-percent acreage reduction percentage.
    Option 3. 20-percent acreage reduction percentage.
    Option 4. 25-percent acreage reduction percentage.
    The estimated impacts of the ARP options are shown in the following 
table.

            Extra Long Staple Cotton Supply/Demand Estimates            
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        Item           Option 1     Option 2     Option 3      Option 4 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acreage Reduction                                                       
 Percentage (%).....           10           15           20           25
Participation (%)...           50           45           40           35
Planted Acres                                                           
 (thousand).........          190          185          180          175
Production (thousand                                                    
 bales).............          386          376          365          355
Domestic Use                                                            
 (thousand bales)...           75           75           75           75
Exports (thousand                                                       
 bales).............          345          340          335          330
Ending Stocks                                                           
 (thousand bales)...          128          123          117          112
Stocks to Use Ratio.        0.304        0.296        0.285        0.276
Deficiency Payments                                                     
 ($ million)........            0            0            0            0
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    Accordingly, comments are requested with respect to the 1995 ARP 
for ELS cotton. The final acreage reduction percentage will be set 
forth at 7 CFR part 1413.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 1413

    Acreage allotments, Cotton, Disaster assistance, Feed grains, Price 
support programs, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Rice, Soil 
conservation, Wheat.
    Accordingly, it is proposed that 7 CFR part 1413 be 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. Section 1413.54 is amended as follows by:
    A. Revising paragraphs (a)(5)(iii) and (a)(5)(iv),
    B. Adding paragraph (a)(5)(v),
    C. Adding paragraph (d)(5):

Sec. 1413.54 Acreage reduction program provisions.

    (a) * * *
    (5) * * *
    (iii) 1993 ELS cotton, 20 percent;
    (iv) 1994 ELS cotton, 15 percent; and
    (v) 1995 ELS cotton shall be within the range of 10 to 25 percent, 
as determined and announced by CCC.
* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (5) For the 1995 crop:
    (i) - (iii) [Reserved]
    (iv) Shall not be made available to producers of ELS cotton.
* * * * *
    Signed at Washington, DC, on November 1, 1994.
Richard E. Rominger,
Executive Vice President Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. 94-27539 Filed 11-4-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P