[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 95 (Wednesday, May 16, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 27045]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-12389]


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Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

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Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 95 / Wednesday, May 16, 2001 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 27045]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 80

[Doc. No. FV-01-80-01]


Regulations Governing the Fresh Russet Potato Diversion Program, 
2000 Crop

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Extension of comment period and amendment to the proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is extending the 
public comment period for regulations governing the fresh russet potato 
diversion program for the 2000 crop year. The AMS is also extending in 
proposed Sec. 80.4 the period for producers to divert potatoes to 
eligible diversion outlets.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before June 12, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments 
concerning this action to: Susan Proden, Chief, Commodity Procurement 
Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, P. O. Box 96456, Room 
2546--South Building, Washington, DC 20090-6456; Fax: (202) 720-2782, 
or visit the website at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/fvcomm.htm. All 
written submissions made pursuant to this proposed rule will be made 
available for public inspection in Room 2546--South Building, USDA, 
between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Proden, Branch Chief, Room 2546--
South Building, USDA or call (202) 720-4517. Information may also be 
obtained at the website: http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/fvcomm.htm.

FOR THE NEAREST FEDERAL INSPECTION OFFICES CONTACT: 1-800-811-2373 or 
visit the website at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/fpboffices.html.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposed rule was published in the Federal 
Register on April 13, 2001. The proposal invited comments on the 
procedures setting forth the terms of the Fresh Russet Potato Diversion 
Program for the 2000 crop year pursuant to clause (2) of section 32 of 
the Act of August 24, 1935, as amended. The proposed program will 
assist fresh russet potato growers faced with oversupplies and low 
prices by diverting potatoes to charitable institutions, for livestock 
feed, to convert them to ethanol, and to render them nonmarketable and 
dispose of in accordance with federal, state and local regulations. AMS 
is extending the public comment period from May 13, 2001 to June 12, 
2001 and amending the proposed rule to extend, by an additional 30 
days, the period for producers to divert potatoes to eligible diversion 
outlets until June 12, 2001. This action was based on a request from 
farmers who have had difficulty finding eligible diversion outlets due 
to the time they need for Spring planting. In addition, the volumes 
signed up thus far remain below 2 million hundredweight, far short of 
the program's goal.
    Accordingly, we are amending Secs. 80.4 and 80.9 of the proposed 
regulation, found in the April 13, 2001, Federal Register, pages 19099-
19102 to read as follows:

PART 80--[AMENDED]


Sec. 80.4  Length of program.

    This program is effective April 13, 2001. Producers diverting 
potatoes to charitable institutions, livestock feed, ethanol 
production, or rendering them nonmarketable must complete the diversion 
of the 2000 crop potatoes no later than June 12, 2001.


Sec. 80.9  Claim for payment.

    (a) In order to obtain payment for shipments to charitable 
institutions, the producer must submit to the county FSA office between 
June 13 and July 13, 2001, a certified FV-184 or FV-301 inspection 
certificate, a completed Form FSA-117, and a bill of lading showing 
shipment was made.
    (b) To obtain payment for potatoes diverted to livestock feed, 
ethanol production or rendering nonmarketable, the producer must submit 
to the county FSA office between June 13 and July 13, 2001 each of the 
following: a properly executed Form FSA-117, an inspection certificate 
(FV-184 or FV-301), a livestock feed recipient, or an ethanol 
production or disposal delivery receipt (issued by livestock feed lot, 
ethanol plant or federal-state inspector) indicating hundredweight 
received, the date, name, address and telephone number of the 
recipient.

    Dated: May 11, 2001.
Kenneth C. Clayton,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 01-12389 Filed 5-11-01; 4:43 pm]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-U