[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 17 (Monday, January 27, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3855-3856]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-1821]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Commodity Credit Corporation


Public Hearing on New Entrant's 2003 Crop Cane Sugar Marketing 
Allotment

AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of public hearing.

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SUMMARY: The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) will hold a public 
hearing to receive comments on providing an allocation to a new entrant 
processor and allotment to a new entrant State and possible impacts on 
existing cane processors and producers. CCC will also receive comments 
on the evidence CCC should require from a new entrant to demonstrate 
eligibility for a marketing allocation.

DATES: The public hearing will be held January 29, 2003, in the 
Jefferson Auditorium of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) South 
Building, 1400 Independence Ave, SW., Washington, DC. The hearing will 
start at 10 a.m. eastern standard time (e.s.t.).

ADDRESSES: Barbara Fecso, Dairy and Sweeteners Analysis Group, Economic 
Policy and Analysis Staff, Farm Service Agency, USDA, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW., STOP 0516, Washington, DC 20250-0516; telephone (202) 720-
4146; FAX (202) 690-1480; e-mail: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara Fecso at (202) 720-4146.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: USDA will hold a public hearing as requested 
by sugarcane producers and processors regarding the application of the 
Arizona Sugar Factory, L.L.C., for a cane sugar marketing allocation 
for the 2003 crop year. The Arizona Sugar Factory is requesting a 2003-
crop year allocation of 10,000 short tons, raw value, and an increase 
to 50,000 short tons, raw value, for the 2005 crop. The new processor 
will be located in California and Arizona, States that currently have 
no allotment (i.e., a new entrant State).
    Section 359d(b)(1)(E) of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938, 
as amended, authorizes CCC to provide a sugarcane processor, who begins 
processing after May 13, 2002, an allocation that provides a fair, 
efficient, and equitable distribution of the allocations from the 
allotment for the State in which the processor is located. To make an 
allocation to a processor in California or Arizona, the Secretary will 
have to provide those States with an allotment. CCC considers the 
adverse effects on existing cane processors and producers when 
determining whether a new entrant processor allocation and new entrant 
State allotment are warranted. Also, prior to the promulgation of the 
2003-crop marketing allotments, the Arizona Sugar Factory must provide 
satisfactory evidence that it has a viable processing facility, an 
adequate sugarcane supply, and a market for the cane sugar product. If 
approved, the new California or Arizona allotment will be subtracted, 
on a pro rata basis, from the allotments otherwise provided to each 
mainland State when the 2003 crop allotments are determined by USDA.
    CCC will use this forum to collect comments on (1) any adverse 
effects that the provisions of an allocation to the Arizona Sugar 
Factory, L.L.C., and an allotment to California or Arizona may have on 
existing cane processors and producers, and (2) the evidence CCC should 
require from a new entrant to demonstrate the ability to process, 
produce, and market raw cane sugar. Attendance is open to interested 
parties.
    The hearing will be held on January 29, 2003, from 10 a.m. to 2 
p.m. e.s.t. in the Jefferson Auditorium of USDA South Building, 1400 
Independence Ave., Washington, DC.
    Anyone wishing to make an oral statement may do so, time 
permitting. Comments will be limited to 5 minutes. A signup sheet for 
oral statements will be available at the entrance of the Jefferson 
Auditorium one hour before the hearing begins. Oral statements will

[[Page 3856]]

be made in the order the request was received. Anyone wishing to make a 
written statement in lieu of an oral statement should send their 
statement to Barbara Fecso, Dairy and Sweeteners Analysis Group, 
Economic Policy and Analysis Staff, Farm Service Agency, USDA, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 0516, Washington, DC 20250-0516; 
Telephone: (202) 720-4146; Fax: (202) 690-1480; e-mail: 
[email protected]. Statements must be received by close of 
business on January 29, 2003.
    Persons with disabilities who require special accommodations to 
attend or participate in the meeting should contact Barbara Fecso.

    Signed in Washington, DC on January 22, 2003.
James R. Little,
Executive Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. 03-1821 Filed 1-23-03; 12:43 pm]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P