38222 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 137 / Thursday, July 17, 1997 / Proposed Rules

the associated labeling costs would be

low. Manufacturers would be able to

defer the development of new labels for

sausage products in natural and

regenerated collagen casings until their

existing stocks of labels are exhausted.

Moreover, the new labels could be

generically approved; manufacturers

would not have to prepare and submit

FSIS Form 7234-1, ''Application for

Labels, Marking, or Device," or the new

label. Identification of the source of

natural sausage casings or regenerated

collagen casings could also be a selling

point for some manufacturers.

This regulation would be beneficial to

consumers because it would reduce

confusion about the source of the

casings surrounding those sausages and

give them additional information with

which to make informed choices about

the sausages they purchase. Natural

casings constitute between 15 and 20

percent of the sausage casing market;

regenerated collagen casings constitute

approximately 40 percent of that same

market.

Paperwork Requirements

Abstract: Under this proposed rule,

sausage manufacturers would need to

label the source of natural sausage

casings or regenerated collagen casings

if they are derived from a different type

of livestock or poultry than the meat(s)

in the enclosed sausage. These

establishments would have to develop

product labels in accordance with the

proposed rule. FSIS would consider

these labels to be generically approved

in accordance with 9 CFR 317.5 and

381.133. Any burden associated with

labeling changes would be approved

under OMB number 0583-0092.

Establishments that produce,

manufacture or use natural or

regenerated sausage casings, or sausages

encased in either of those types of

casings would also be required to

maintain records identifying the source

of the casings. FSIS believes, however,

that all of these establishments keep

records of this nature as a matter of

course.

Estimate of Burden: Establishments

producing, manufacturing or using

natural or regenerated collagen casings,

and establishments producing sausages

encased in natural or regenerated

sausage casings. FSIS estimates that the

time associated with collecting the

required information would be 15

minutes. FSIS estimates that this

recordkeeping would occur once a day.

Respondents: Meat and poultry

establishments manufacturing natural or

regenerated collagen sausage casings,

and meat and poultry establishments

manufacturing sausages encased in

these types of casings.

Estimated number of Respondents: 40

meat and poultry establishments.

Estimated number of Responses per

Respondent. 10,000.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on

Respondents: 2,500 hours.

Comments are invited on: (a) whether

the proposed collection of information

is necessary for the proper performance

of the functions of the Agency,

including whether the information will

have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of

the Agency's estimate of the burden of

the proposed collection of information

including the validity of the

methodology and assumptions used; (c)

ways to enhance the quality, utility, and

clarity of the information to be

collected; and (d) ways to minimize the

burden of collection of information on

those who are to respond, including

through use of appropriate automated,

electronic, mechanical, or other

technological collection techniques or

other forms of information technology.

Comments may be sent to Lee Puricelli,

Paperwork Specialist, see address

above, and Desk Officer for Agriculture,

Office of Information and Regulatory

Affairs, Office of Management and

Budget, Washington, DC 20253.

List of Subjects

9 CFR Part 317

Food labeling, Food packaging, Meat

inspection.

9 CFR Part 381

Food labeling, Poultry and poultry

products.

For the reasons discussed in the

preamble, FSIS is proposing to amend 9

CFR parts 317 and 381 of the Federal

meat and poultry products inspection

regulations as follows:

PART 317-LABELING, MARKING

DEVICES, AND CONTAINERS

1. The authority citation for part 317

would continue to read as follows:

Authority: 21 U.S.C. 601-695: 7 CFR 2.18,

2.53.

2. Section 317.8 would be amended

by adding a new paragraph (b) (37) to

read as follows:

§ 317.8 False or misleading labeling or

practices generally ; specific prohibitions

and requirements for labels and containers.

* * * * *

(b)***

(37) The labels of sausages encased in

natural casings made from livestock or

poultry viscera or regenerated collagen

casings shall identify the type of

livestock or poultry from which the

casings were derived, if the casings are

from a different type of livestock or

poultry than the encased meat(s). The

identity of the casing, if required, may

be placed on the principal display panel

or in the ingredient statement.

Establishments producing,

manufacturing or using natural or

regenerated collagen sausage casings

shall maintain records documenting the

livestock or poultry source in

accordance with § 320.3.

PART 381-POULTRY PRODUCTS

INSPECTION REGULATIONS

3. The authority citation for part 381

would continue to read as follows:

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 138f, 450; 21 U.S.C.

451-470; 7 CFR 2.18, 2.53.

4. Section 381.117 would be amended

by adding paragraph (t) to read as

follows:

§ 381.117 Name of product and other

labeling.

(f) The labels of sausages encased in

natural casings made from livestock or

poultry viscera or regenerated collagen

casings shall identify the type of

livestock or poultry from which the

casings were derived, if the casings are

from a different type of livestock or

poultry than the encased meat(s). The

identity of the casing, if required, may

be placed on the principal display panel

or in the ingredient statement.

Establishments producing,

manufacturing or using natural or

regenerated collagen sausage casings

shall maintain records documenting the

livestock or poultry source in

accordance with § 381.177.

Done at Washington, DC, on July 9, 1997.

Thomas J. Billy,

Administrator.

[FR Doc. 97-18841 Filed 7-16-97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Office of Energy Efficiency and

Renewable Energy

10 CFR Part 430

[Docket No. EE-RM-97-500]

RIN 1904-AA75

Energy Conservation Program for

Consumer Products : Energy

Conservation Standards for

Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts

AGENCY : Office of Energy Efficiency and

Renewable Energy, Department of

Energy (DOE).

EE-RM-97-500 COMMENT 11

38222 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 137 / Thursday, July 17, 1997 / Proposed Rules 

the associated labeling costs would be 

low. Manufacturers would be able to 

defer the development of new labels for 

sausage products in natural and 

regenerated collagen casings until their 

existing stocks of labels are exhausted. 

Moreover, the new labels could be 

generically approved; manufacturers 

would not have to prepare and submit 

FSIS Form 7234-1, "Application for 

Labels, Marking, or Device," or the new 

label. Identification of the source of 

natural sausage casings or regenerated 

collagen casings could also be a selling 

point for some manufacturers. 

This regulation would be beneficial to 

consumers because it would reduce 

confusion about the source of the 

casings surrounding those sausages and 

give them additional information with 

which to make informed choices about 

the sausages they purchase. Natural 

casings constitute between 15 and 20 

percent of the sausage casing market; 

regenerated collagen casings constitute 

approximately 40 percent of that same 

market. 

Paperwork Requirements 

Abstract: Under this proposed rule, 

sausage manufacturers would need to 

label the source of natural sausage 

casings or regenerated collagen casings 

if they are derived from a different type 

of livestock or poultry than the meat(s) 

in the enclosed sausage. These 

establishments would have to develop 

product labels in accordance with the 

proposed rule. FSIS would consider 

these labels to be generically approved 

in accordance with 9 CFR 317.5 and 

381.133. Any burden associated with 

labeling changes would be approved 

under OMB number 0583-0092. 

Establishments that produce, 

manufacture or use natural or 

regenerated sausage casings, or sausages 

encased in either of those types of 

casings would also be required to 

maintain records identifying the source 

of the caSings. FSIS believes, however, 

that all of these establishments keep 

records of this nature as a matter of 

course. 

Estimate of Burden: Establishments 

producing, manufacturing or using 

natural or regenerated collagen casings, 

and establishments producing sausages 

encased in natural or regenerated 

sausage casings. FSIS estimates that the 

time associated with collecting the 

required information would be 15 

minutes. FSIS estimates that this 

record keeping would occur once a day. 

Respondents: Meat and poultry 

establishments manufacturing natural or 

regenerated collagen sausage casings, 

and meat and poultry establishments 

manufacturing sausages encased in 

these types of casings. 

Estimated number of Respondents: 40 

meat and poultry establishments. 

Estimated number of Responses per 

Respondent: 10,000. 

Estimated Total Annual Burden on 

Respondents: 2,500 hours. 

Comments are invited on: (a) whether 

the proposed collection of information 

is necessary for the proper performance 

of the functions of the Agency, 

including whether the information will 

have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of 

the Agency's estimate of the burden of 

the proposed collection of information 

including the validity of the 

methodology and assumptions used; (c) 

ways to enhance the quality, utility, and 

clarity of the information to be 

collected; and (d) ways to minimize the 

burden of collection of information on 

those who are to respond, including 

through use of appropriate automated, 

electronic, mechanical, or other 

technological collection techniques or 

other forms of information technology. 

Comments may be sent to Lee Puricelli, 

Paperwork Specialist, see address 

above, and Desk Officer for Agriculture, 

Office of Information and Regulatory 

Affairs, Office of Management and 

Budget, Washington, DC 20253. 

List of Subjects 

9 CFR Part 317 

Food labeling, Food packaging, Meat 

inspection. 

9 CFR Part 381 

Food labeling, Poultry and poultry 

products. 

For the reasons discussed in the 

preamble, FSIS is proposing to amend 9 

CFR parts 317 and 381 of the Federal 

meat and poultry products inspection 

regulations as follows: 

PART 317-LABELlNG, MARKING 

DEVICES, AND CONTAINERS 

1. The authority citation for part 317 

would continue to read as follows: 

Authority: 21 U.s.C. 601-695; 7 CFR 2.18, 

2.53. 

2. Section 317.8 would be amended 

by adding a new paragraph (b) (37) to 

read as follows: 

§ 317.8 False or misleading labeling or 

practices generally; specific prohibitions 

and requirements for labels and containers. 

* * * * * 

(b) * * * 

(37) The labels of sausages encased in 

natural casings made from livestock or 

poultry viscera or regenerated collagen 

casings shall identify the type of 

livestock or poultry from which the 

casings were derived, if the casings are 

from a different type of livestock or 

poultry than the encased meat(s). The 

identity of the casing, if required, may 

be placed on the principal display panel 

or in the ingredient statement. 

Establishments producing, 

manufacturing or using natural or 

regenerated collagen sausage casings 

shall maintain records documenting the 

livestock or poultry source in 

accordance with § 320.3. 

PART 381-POUL TRY PRODUCTS 

INSPECTION REGULATIONS 

3. The authority citation for part 381 

would continue to read as follows: 

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 138f, 450: 21 U.S.C. 

451-470; 7 CFR 2.18, 2.53. 

4. Section 381.117 would be amended 

by adding paragraph (t) to read as 

follows: 

§ 381.117 Name of product and other 

labeling. 

* * * * * 

(t) The labels of sausages encased in 

natural casings made from livestock or 

poultry viscera or regenerated collagen 

casings shall identify the type of 

livestock or poultry from which the 

casings were derived, if the casings are 

from a different type of livestock or 

poultry than the encased meat(s). The 

identity of the casing, if required, may 

be placed on the principal display panel 

or in the ingredient statement. 

Establishments producing, 

manufacturing or using natural or 

regenerated collagen sausage casings 

shall maintain records documenting the 

livestock or poultry source in 

accordance with § 381.177. 

Done at Washington, DC, on July 9, 1997. 

Thomas J. Billy, 

Administrator. 

[FR Doc. 97-18841 Filed 7-16-97: 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P 

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY 

Office of Energy Efficiency and 

Renewable Energy 

10 CFR Part 430 

[Docket No. EE-RM-97-500J 

RIN 1904-AA75 

Energy Conservation Program for 

Consumer Products: Energy 

Conservation Standards for 

Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts 

AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and 

Renewable Energy, Department of 

Energy (DOE). 
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 137 / Thursday, July 17, 1997 / Proposed Rules

ACTION : Notice of Availability.

SUMMARY: The Department of Energy

(the Department or DOE) today gives

notice that copies of the "Draft Report

on Potential Impact of Possible Energy

Efficiency Levels for Fluorescent Lamp

Ballasts" are available for review and

comment.

DATES : Written comments in response to

this notice must be received by

September 2, 1997.

ADDRESSES : Copies of the report entitled

"Draft Report on Potential Impact of

Possible Energy Efficiency Levels for

Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts" may be

obtained from Sandy Beall at: U.S.

Department of Energy, Office of Energy

Efficiency and Renewable Energy, EE43, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW,

Washington, DC 20585-0121, (202) 586-

7574. This document may be read at the

DOE Freedom of Information Reading

Room, U.S. Department of Energy, Room

1E-190, 1000 Independence Avenue,

SW, Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-

3142, between the hours of 9:00 a.m.

and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday,

except Federal holidays.

Written comments are welcomed.

Please submit 10 copies to: U.S.

Department of Energy, Office of Energy

Efficiency and Renewable Energy,

"Ballast Docket No. EE-RM-97-500,"

EE-43, Room lJ-018, 1000

Independence Avenue, SW,

Washington, DC 20585-0121.

Pursuant to the provisions of Title 10

CFR 1004.11, any person submitting

information which he or she believes to

be confidential and exempt by law from

public disclosure should submit one

complete copy of the document and ten

(10) copies, if possible, from which the

information believed to be confidential

has been deleted. The Department of

Energy will make its own determination

with regard to the confidential status of

the information and treat it according to

its determination.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Anthony T. Balducci, U.S.

Department of Energy, Office of

Energy Efficiency and Renewable

Energy, Mail Station EE-43, 1000

Independence Avenue, SW,

Washington, DC 20585-0121, Phone:

(202) 586-8459, Fax: (202) 586-4617,

E-mail: anthony.balducci@hq.doe.gov

Ms. Sandy Beall, U.S. Department of

Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency

and Renewable Energy, Mail Station

EE-43, 1000 Independence Avenue,

SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121,

Phone: (202) 586-7574, Fax: (202)

586-4617.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The

Department of Energy is implementing

enhanced procedures for the

development and revision of appliance

efficiency standards, including the

fluorescent lamp ballast standards. See

61 FR 36973 (July 15, 1996). One of the

themes of these process improvements

is the Department's commitment to

share analyses with the public and

provide meaningful opportunity for

public comment.

As part of our effort to review

fluorescent lamp ballast standards, the

Department is making the following

document available: "Draft Report on

Potential Impact of Possible Energy

Efficiency Levels for Fluorescent Lamp

Ballasts." The report identifies product

categories and includes life-cycle cost

analyses, engineering analyses, and

national benefits of the options being

considered as potential standard levels

for ballasts. The report is a revision of

the February 1996 report. Revisions

were based on comments received

during the June 1996 workshop and the

March 1997 workshop, stakeholder

interviews, and a 1996 ballast price

survey.

The report provides energy saving

impacts for the various efficiency levels

analyzed. The energy savings calculated

for the period 2000-2030 range from 1.5

quadrillion Btus (Quads) to 5.3 Quads

depending on the efficiency level and

the base case assumptions. The

Department invites the submission of

written comments on the report.

Through its interactions with

interested parties, the Department has

gathered information on the entire

ballast market. After examining this

information, the Department believes

that it is important to distinguish

between the characteristics of the T8

and T12 ballast markets. Specifically,

the Department requests comments on

the following questions relating to the

future market of fluorescent lamp

ballasts:

1. For the T8 and T12 ballast markets,

what percent of each of these markets

will be electronic and magnetic in 10

years? In 15 years?

2. How is the magnetic T12 ballast

market changing? Is it growing,

shrinking, or remaining stable? How

large (percent of total) will this market

be in 10 years? In 15 years?

3. Is the T12 market changing from

T12 magnetic ballasts to T12 electronic

ballasts? If it is, at what rate? What will

the rate be in 10 years? In 15 years?

4. Is the T12 market changing from

T12 magnetic ballasts to T8 electronic

ballasts? If it is, at what rate? What will

the rate be in 10 years? In 15 years?

Please substantiate your answers with

data when available.

38223

Issued in Washington, DC, on July 1, 1997.

Joseph J. Romm,

Acting Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency

and Renewable Energy.

[FR Doc. 97-18838 Filed 7-16-97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6450-01-P

FARM CREDIT ADMINISTRATION

12 CFR Parts 611 , 614, 620, and 630

RIN 3052-AB67

Organization ; Loan Policies and

Operations ; Disclosure to

Shareholders; Disclosure to Investors

in Systemwide and Consolidated Bank

Debt Obligations of the Farm Credit

System; Other Financing Institutions

AGENCY: Farm Credit Administration.

ACTION : Proposed rule.

SUMMARY: The Farm Credit

Administration (FCA or Agency),

through the FCA Board (Board), issues

a proposed rule to amend its regulations

in subpart P of part 614 that govern the

funding and discount relationship

between Farm Credit System (Farm

Credit, FCS, or System) banks that

operate under title I of the Farm Credit

Act of 1971, as amended (Act), and nonSystem other financing institutions

(OFIs). The proposed regulation would

substantially expand the opportunities

for OFIs, such as commercial banks,

trust companies, agricultural credit

corporations, incorporated livestock

loan companies, savings associations,

credit unions, or other financial

institutions identified in section

1.7(b) (1) (B) of the Act, to fund or

discount loans and leases through a

Farm Credit Bank (FCB) or an

agricultural credit bank (ACB). FCBs

and ACBs can offer financing to OFIs for

the purpose of funding short- and

intermediate-term loans and leases to

parties who are eligible to borrow from

FCS associations under section 2.4 (a) of

the Act. The FCA's proposal would

eliminate several non-statutory limits on

OFI eligibility. It would also require an

FCB or ACB to provide funding and

discount services to any creditworthy

OFI that is significantly involved in

agricultural lending and demonstrates a

continuing need for supplementary

sources of funds to meet the credit

needs of agricultural borrowers. The

proposed rule would expand the

opportunity for an OFI to seek funding,

discount and other similar financial

assistance from an FCB or ACB other

than the System bank that is chartered

to serve its territory under certain

circumstances. The proposed rule also

implements statutory provisions that

EE-RM-97-500 COMMENT 11

Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 137 / Thursday, July 17, 1997 / Proposed Rules 38223 

ACTION: Notice of Availability. 

SUMMARY: The Department of Energy 

(the Department or DOE) today gives 

notice that copies of the "Draft Report 

on Potential Impact of Possible Energy 

Efficiency Levels for Fluorescent Lamp 

Ballasts" are available for review and 

comment. 

DATES: Written comments in response to 

this notice must be received by 

September 2, 1997. 

ADDRESSES: Copies of the report entitled 

"Draft Report on Potential Impact of 

Possible Energy Efficiency Levels for 

Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts" may be 

obtained from Sandy Beall at: U.S. 

Department of Energy, Office of Energy 

Efficiency and Renewable Energy, EE43, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW, 

Washington, DC 20585-0121, (202) 586-

7574. This document may be read at the 

DOE Freedom of Information Reading 

Room, U.S. Department of Energy, Room 

lE-190, 1000 Independence Avenue, 

SW, Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-

3142, between the hours of9:00 a.m. 

and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, 

except Federal holidays. 

Written comments are welcomed. 

Please submit 10 copies to: U.s. 

Department of Energy, Office of Energy 

Efficiency and Renewable Energy, 

"Ballast Docket No. EE-RM-97-500," 

EE-43, Room 1]-018, 1000 

Independence Avenue, SW, 

Washington, DC 20585-0121. 

Pursuant to the provisions of Title 10 

CFR 1004.11, any person submitting 

information which he or she believes to 

be confidential and exempt by law from 

public disclosure should submit one 

complete copy of the document and ten 

(10) copies, if possible, from which the 

information believed to be confidential 

has been deleted. The Department of 

Energy will make its own determination 

with regard to the confidential status of 

the information and treat it according to 

its determination. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Mr. Anthony T. Balducci, U.S. 

Department of Energy, Office of 

Energy Efficiency and Renewable 

El)ergy, Mail Station EE-43, 1000 

Independence Avenue, SW, 

Washington, DC 20585-0121, Phone: 

(202) 586-8459, Fax: (202) 586-4617, 

E-mail: anthony.balducci@hq.doe.gov 

Ms. Sandy Beall, U.S. Department of 

Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency 

and Renewable Energy, Mail Station 

EE-43, 1000 Independence Avenue, 

SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121, 

Phone: (202) 586-7574, Fax: (202) 

586-4617. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 

Department of Energy is implementing 

enhanced procedures for the 

development and revision of appliance 

efficiency standards, including the 

fluorescent lamp ballast standards. See 

61 FR 36973 Guly 15, 1996). One of the 

themes of these process improvements 

is the Department's commitment to 

share analyses with the public and 

provide meaningful opportunity for 

public comment. 

As part of our effort to review 

fluorescent lamp ballast standards, the 

Department is making the following 

document available: "Draft Report on 

Potential Impact of Possible Energy 

Efficiency Levels for Fluorescent Lamp 

Ballasts." The report identifies product 

categories and includes life-cycle cost 

analyses, engineering analyses, and 

national benefits of the options being 

considered as potential standard levels 

for ballasts. The report is a revision of 

the February 1996 report. Revisions 

were based on comments received 

during the June 1996 workshop and the 

March 1997 workshop, stakeholder 

interviews, and a 1996 ballast price 

survey. 

The report provides energy saving 

impacts for the various efficiency levels 

analyzed. The energy savings calculated 

for the period 2000-2030 range from 1.5 

quadrillion Btus (Quads) to 5.3 Quads 

depending on the effiCiency level and 

the base case assumptions. The 

Department invites the submission of 

written comments on the report. 

Through its interactions with 

interested parties, the Department has 

gathered information on the entire 

ballast market. After examining this 

information, the Department believes 

that it is important to distinguish 

between the characteristics of the T8 

and T12 ballast markets. SpeCifically, 

the Department requests comments on 

the following questions relating to the 

future market of fluorescent lamp 

ballasts: 

1. For the T8 and T12 ballast markets, 

what percent of each of these markets 

will be electronic and magnetic in 10 

years? In 15 years? 

2. How is the magnetic T12 ballast 

market changing? Is it growing. 

shrinking, or remaining stable? How 

large (percent of total) will this market 

be in 10 years? In 15 years? 

3. Is the T12 market changing from 

T12 magnetic ballasts to T12 electronic 

ballasts? If it is, at what rate? What will 

the rate be in 10 years? In 15 years? 

4. Is the T12 market changing from 

T12 magnetic ballasts to T8 electronic 

ballasts? If it is, at what rate? What will 

the rate be in 10 years? In 15 years? 

Please substantiate your answers with 

data when available. 

Issued in Washington. DC. on July 1,1997. 

Joseph J. Romm, 

Acting Assistant Secretary. Energy Efficiency 

and Renewable Energy. 

[FR Doc. 97-18838 Filed 7-16-97; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 6450--01-P 

FARM CREDIT ADMINISTRATION 

12 CFR Parts 611, 614, 620, and 630 

RIN 3052-AB67 

Organization; Loan Policies and 

Operations; Disclosure to 

Shareholders; Disclosure to Investors 

in Systemwide and Consolidated Bank 

Debt Obligations of the Farm Credit 

System; Other Financing Institutions 

AGENCY: Farm Credit Administration. 

ACTION: Proposed rule. 

SUMMARY: The Farm Credit 

Administration (FCA or Agency), 

through the FCA Board (Board), issues 

a proposed rule to amend its regulations 

in subpart P of part 614 that govern the 

funding and discount relationship 

between Farm Credit System (Farm 

Credit, FCS, or System) banks that 

operate under title I of the Farm Credit 

Act of 1971, as amended (Act), and nonSystem other financing institutions 

(OFIs). The proposed regulation would 

substantially expand the opportunities 

for OFIs, such as commercial banks, 

trust companies, agricultural credit 

corporations, incorporated livestock 

loan companies, savings associations, 

credit unions, or other financial 

institutions identified in section 

1.7(b)(I)(B) of the Act, to fund or 

discount loans and leases through a 

Farm Credit Bank (FCB) or an 

agricultural credit bank (ACB). FCBs 

and ACBs can offer finanCing to OFIs for 

the purpose of funding short- and 

intermediate-term loans and leases to 

parties who are eligible to borrow from 

FCS associations under section 2.4 (a) of 

the Act. The FCA's proposal would 

eliminate several non-statutory limits on 

OFI eligibility. It would also reqUire an 

FCB or ACB to provide funding and 

discount services to any creditworthy 

OFI that is Significantly involved in 

agricultural lending and demonstrates a 

continuing need for supplementary 

sources of funds to meet the credit 

needs of agricultural borrowers. The 

proposed rule would expand the 

opportunity for an OFI to seek funding, 

discount and other similar financial 

assistance from an FCB or ACB other 

than the System bank that is chartered 

to serve its territory under certain 

circumstances. The proposed rule also 

implements statutory provisions that