[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 3 (Thursday, January 5, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1709-1710]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-241]



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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
7 CFR Part 1427

RIN 0560-AD82


1994 Cotton Loan and LDP Provisions

AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation, USDA.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: On August 2, 1994, the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) 
issued an interim rule with respect to the cotton price support program 
which is conducted by the CCC in accordance with The Agricultural Act 
of 1949, as amended (the 1949 Act). This interim rule provided greater 
clarity, enhanced the administration of CCC programs by providing 
uniformity between CCC price support programs, provided more authority 
to State and county committees in administering the programs, lessened 
administrative actions CCC imposes on producers who violate the loan 
and loan deficiency payment agreements, eliminated obsolete provisions, 
and more appropriately reflected loan eligibility requirement for the 
1994 and subsequent year crops. This rule adopts as final the interim 
rule published on August 2, 1994 at 59 FR 39251. In addition, this rule 
amends 7 CFR Chapter XIV to reflect the abolishment of ASCS and the 
establishment of the Consolidated Farm Service Agency in the recent 
Department of Agriculture reorganization.

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 5, 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Philip Sharp, Program Specialist, 
Consolidated Farm Service Agency (CFSA), USDA, P.O. Box 2415, 
Washington, DC 20013-2415; telephone 202-720-7988. [[Page 1710]] 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Executive Order 12866

    This rule has been determined to be not- significant for purposes 
of Executive Order 12866 and therefore has not been reviewed by Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB).

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: Commodity Loans and Purchases--10.051.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    It has been determined that the Regulatory Flexibility Act is not 
applicable because 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 human 
environment.

Executive Order 12372

    This program 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 rule has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 12778. To 
the extent State and local laws are in conflict with these regulatory 
provisions, it is the intent of CCC that the terms of the regulations 
prevail. The provisions of this rule are not retroactive. Prior to any 
judicial action in a court of jurisdiction, administrative review under 
7 CFR part 780 must be exhausted.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    Public reporting burden for the information collections contained 
in this regulation with respect to price support programs is estimated 
to average 15 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing 
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. The information collections have previously 
been cleared under the current regulations by OMB, and assigned OMB 
Nos. 0560-0087 and 0560-0129. The content and format of the information 
collections have not changed as a result of this amendment to 7 CFR 
part 1427; however, the frequency of reporting has been reduced. CFSA 
will submit a burden correction worksheet to OMB for review.

Discussion of Comments

    One letter was timely received in response to the interim rule 
published on August 2, 1994, requesting public comments on the interim 
regulations for implementing the price support loan programs for upland 
cotton and extra long staple cotton which are administered by the CCC.
    The respondent was generally supportive of the provisions of the 
interim rule; however, they expressed a need for a more detailed 
explanation of why the reference to incentive payments was removed from 
section 1427.5(c)(2)(ii). The removal of the reference to incentive 
payments was to remove the possible interpretation that incentive 
payments automatically resulted in the loss of beneficial interest. In 
fact, payments by buyers to producers for services, such as 
transportation and storage, will not cause beneficial interest to be 
transferred if such payment is not conditioned on the eventual sale of 
the cotton.
    If buyers question whether or not incentive payments made to 
producers will result in the producer losing beneficial interest 
prematurely, such buyers are encouraged to have their contracts 
reviewed by the CFSA.

Establishment of the Consolidated Farm Service Agency

    Pursuant to Public Law 103-354, the Federal Crop Insurance Reform 
and Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994, the Secretary 
of Agriculture issued Secretary's Memorandum 1010-1, Reorganization of 
the Department of Agriculture, on October 20, 1994. That memorandum 
orders the abolishment of the Agricultural Stabilization and 
Conservation Service and the establishment of the Consolidated Farm 
Service Agency, which assumes the functions previously performed by the 
Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service. This rule includes 
amendments to 7 CFR chapter XIV which are necessary to bring agency 
regulations into alignment with the departmental reorganization.
    Accordingly, 7 CFR Chapter XIV and part 1427 are amended as 
follows:
    1. In 7 CFR chapter XIV, all references to ``Agricultural 
Stabilization and Conservation Service'' are revised to read 
``Consolidated Farm Service Agency'' and all references to ``ASCS'' are 
revised to read ``CFSA''.
    2. Under authority of 7 U.S.C. 1421, 1423, 1425, 1444, and 1444-2; 
15 U.S.C. 714b and 714c, the interim rule amending 7 CFR part 1427 that 
was published at 59 FR 39251 on August 2, 1994 is adopted as a final 
rule without change.

    Signed in Washington, DC, on December 23, 1994.
Bruce R. Weber,
Acting Executive Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. 95-241 Filed 1-4-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P