Commodity Credit Corporation – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) is seeking approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for a revision and extension of the collection of information used in support of motor carrier transportation services needed to meet domestic and export food assistance program needs. This information collection will allow CCC to determine the availability of motor freight carriers to meet the motor carrier needs of CCC for the movement of its freight traffic.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intent of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to request extension of the information collection currently used in support of the CCC and FSA Farm Loan Programs (FLP).

This document announces assistance under the Farm Service Agency's Tree Assistance Program (TAP) regulations in 7 CFR part 783 as authorized by the Military Construction and Appropriations Act, 2005. The first part of this notice announces the availability of assistance for claims under TAP related to Orchardists and Forest Land Owners. The second part proposes funding for special Tree Assistance Program benefits with respect to Pecan Tree Producers. The provisions in this notice for orchard and forest timber assistance are final. For pecan tree assistance, a period is allowed for comments since it is proposed that ``other appropriate activities'' allowed for assistance would only include those related to pruning and tree rehabilitation. This notice is intended to provide notice to those producers who may qualify for this assistance, and provide conditions for eligibility required by the Act under which it is funded.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and the Farm Service Agency (FSA) are seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the extension of an approved information collection associated with the acreage report for the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP). This information collection is needed to administer the program.

This rule implements portions of the Military Construction, Appropriations and Emergency Hurricane Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 enacted October 13, 2004 (the 2004 Act), to authorize crop-loss disaster assistance for producers who suffered 2003, 2004, or 2005 crop losses caused by damaging weather and related conditions. Also included under this rule is authority for disaster assistance specifically for producers in Virginia, and producers of fruit and vegetable crops located in North Carolina that suffered losses due to adverse weather and related conditions that occurred in 2003.

This document establishes an amendment to the interim final rule governing activities under the Conservation Security Program (CSP) which is administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The CSP sets forth a mechanism to provide financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers who, in accordance with certain requirements, conserve and improve the quality of soil, water, air, energy, plant and animal life, and support other conservation activities. The CSP regulations implement provisions of the Food Security Act of 1985, as amended by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, and are intended to assist agricultural producers in taking actions that will provide long-term beneficial effects to our Nation.

This notice extends until October 31, 2005, the period in which CCC will automatically reduce any Direct and Counter-Cyclical Payments (DCP) to satisfy a producer's obligation to repay unearned 2003-crop advance counter-cyclical payments. Scheduled payments received during this period include 2004-crop final direct payments, 2004-crop advance counter-cyclical payments, and 2005-crop advance direct payments.

This rule provides regulations for the manner in which assessments are to be made on various domestic manufacturers or importers of tobacco products to fund the tobacco transition payment program as required by Title VI of the America Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the 2004 Act).

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) announces that it is inviting proposals for the 2006 Foreign Market Development Cooperator (Cooperator) Program. The intended effect of this notice is to solicit applications from eligible applicants and award funds in June 2005. The Cooperator Program is administered by personnel of the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) announces that it is inviting proposals for the 2005/2006 Market Access Program (MAP). The intended effect of this notice is to solicit applications from eligible applicants and award funds in June 2005. The MAP is administered by personnel of the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) announces the availability of $2.5 million in funding for the 2005 Quality Samples Program (QSP). The intended effect of this notice is to solicit applications and award funds in June 2005. The QSP is administered by personnel of the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). This notice supercedes any prior notices concerning the QSP.

This final rule establishes regulations applicable to the Emerging Markets Program (EMP). The regulations provide details concerning program administration, including participant eligibility, application requirements, review and allocation process, reimbursement rules and procedures, financial reporting and project evaluation requirements, appeal procedures, and program controls.