[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 62 (Tuesday, April 1, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 15703]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-7937]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 62 / Tuesday, April 1, 2003 / 
Notices  

[[Page 15703]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency


2002 Crop Year Crambe and Sesame Seed Marketing Assistance Loan 
Deficiency Payments, and Direct and Counter Cyclical Program

AGENCIES: Commodity Credit Corporation, Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces that the Department of Agriculture is 
exercising its discretionary authority to designate crambe and sesame 
seed as eligible commodities for the 2002 crop year for the Direct and 
Counter Cyclical Program (DCP) and for Marketing Assistance Loans (MAL) 
and Loan Deficiency Payments (LDP) from the Commodity Credit 
Corporation (CCC). The intended effect of this notice is to inform the 
public of the USDA decision designating crambe and sesame seed as 
eligible oilseeds.

DATES: To be eligible, producers of 2002-crop crambe or sesame seed 
must:
    (1) Submit a request for MAL and LDP at their local Farm Service 
Agency Service Center by close of business on March 31, 2003.
    (2) Make their DCP base acreage election before May 1, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kimberly Graham, Price Support 
Division, FSA, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 4789, STOP 
0512, Washington, DC 20250-0514, by phone at (202) 720-7901, or e-mail 
at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

MAL and LDP Eligibility

    Section 1421.3 of 7 CFR part 1421 defines ``Loan commodities'' to 
include ``other crops designated by CCC,'' and further defines ``other 
crops designated by CCC,'' to be, ``(3) As otherwise designated by 
CCC.'' Also, section 1421.5(a) provides that eligible loan commodities 
include, ``* * * and other crops designated by CCC.'' Accordingly, this 
notice announces the Agency's extension of MAL and LDP eligibility to 
include crambe and sesame seed for the crop year 2002.
    Also, for the loan deficiency payments for 2002 crop crambe and 
sesame seed only, this notice announces that the Agency will waive 
section 1421.6(a)(1) of 7 CFR part 1421, which requires a producer to 
have beneficial interest in the commodity that is tendered to CCC for a 
marketing assistance loan or loan deficiency payment. Producers who 
lost beneficial interest in the 2002-crop crambe or sesame seed are 
eligible for LDP's. For those LDP requests submitted after beneficial 
interest has been lost, the LDP rate will be based on the date 
beneficial interest was lost. Section 1421.6(a)(1) must be complied 
with and beneficial interest maintained in all other 2002-crop year 
commodities and for all commodities, including crambe and sesame seed, 
for a loan or LDP in subsequent years.

DCP Eligibility

    Section 1412.103 of 7 CFR part 1412 defines ``Covered commodity'' 
to include, ``* * * other oilseeds as determined by the Secretary.'' 
and defines ``Other oilseeds'' to include the words ``* * * or, if 
determined and announced by CCC, another oilseed.'' This notice 
announces the extension of the CCC Direct and Counter Cyclical Program 
under 7 CFR part 1412 to include crambe and sesame seed as eligible 
commodities for the crop year 2002.
    FSA and CCC are taking these actions under section 1421.2(e) of 7 
CFR part 1421, and section 1412.102(e) of 7 CFR part 1412, which allow 
exceptions to selected program requirements. The intent is to encourage 
development of alternative enterprises for producers, greater planting 
flexibility and rural development. All other requirements for program 
eligibility in 7 CFR parts 1412 or 1421 will apply.
    Sign-up for marketing assistance loans and requests for loan 
deficiency payments (LDP) must be completed by March 31, 2003. 
Marketing assistance loan applications, and LDP request forms are 
available electronically through the USDA eForms website for 
downloading. Base elections for DCP, loan applications and LDP request 
forms may be submitted at the FSA county offices.

    Signed at Washington, DC, on March 27, 2003.
James R. Little,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency, Executive Vice President, Commodity 
Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. 03-7937 Filed 3-28-03; 2:22 pm]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P