83 FR 48410 - Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA); Market Facilitation Program (MFP) Payments to Producers
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Commodity Credit Corporation
Farm Service Agency Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 186 (September 25, 2018)
Commodity Credit Corporation
Farm Service Agency
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 186 (September 25, 2018)
| Page Range | 48410-48411 | |
| FR Document | 2018-20773 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 186 (Tuesday, September 25, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 48410-48411] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-20773] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Commodity Credit Corporation Farm Service Agency Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA); Market Facilitation Program (MFP) Payments to Producers AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation and Farm Service Agency, USDA. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: MFP provides payments to producers with commodities that have been significantly impacted by actions of foreign governments resulting in the loss of traditional exports. This NOFA announces the availability of MFP funds for eligible producers of shelled almonds and fresh sweet cherries and makes a correction to a previously issued NOFA published on August 30, 2018, with respect to MFP funds availability for hogs. On behalf of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), the Farm Service Agency (FSA) administers MFP. MFP participants will receive an MFP payment, calculated based on the eligible production multiplied by the participant's share multiplied by the MFP payment rate. DATES: Application period: September 24, 2018, through January 15, 2019. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bradley Karmen, telephone: (202) 720- 3175. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background CCC published the MFP regulation, 7 CFR part 1409, on August 30, 2018 (83 FR 44173-44178), specifying the eligibility requirements, payment calculations, and application procedures for MFP. CCC also published a NOFA on August 30, 2018 (83 FR 44257-44258) that announced funds available for hogs and other commodities. MFP provides assistance to producers with commodities that have been significantly impacted by actions of foreign governments resulting in the loss of traditional exports. This NOFA announces the availability of initial MFP payments for 2018 for shelled almonds and fresh sweet cherries. Correction The NOFA announcing funds availability for hogs specifies that the date for which the owner reports the number of head of live hogs is August 1, 2018. It has come to our attention that the inventory on August 1 may not be representative of the operation's inventory. For example, a producer may have sold a barnful of hogs a few days before August 1, resulting in reduced inventory and then purchased feeder pigs a few days later. To provide an option for those owners to participate in MFP, this NOFA is revising the requirement. Producers may select any day from July 15 through August 15, 2018, as the date for which the ownership is reported. Application Process Each eligible producer applies for MFP on an application form. A producer applies for MFP once. MFP payments will not be issued until a producer certifies production, as described below. Payment Rates The MFP payment rates will be as determined by CCC. The MFP payment rates and units of measure that will be in effect beginning at the start of the application period, are listed in the following table. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Rate ($/ Commodity Unit unit) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Shelled Almonds....................... pound................ $0.03 Fresh Sweet Cherries.................. pound................ 0.16 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The initial payment rate will apply to the first 50 percent of the producer's total production of the selected commodity. On or about December 3, 2018, CCC may announce a second payment rate, if applicable, that will apply to the remaining 50 percent of the producer's production for the selected commodity. MFP payment at either the initial payment rate or at a second payment rate will be made after a producer harvests 100 percent of the crop and certifies the amount of production. The actual production used to calculate an MFP payment under this NOFA is 2018 production in which the applicant had an ownership share. Specifically, required production information is as follows:Harvested production for the 2018 crop year; An ownership share for a crop will be as reported to FSA on the acreage report, form FSA-578, ``Report of Acreage.'' Production Evidence On the application, the producer will certify the amount of production and note the source of production evidence. If requested, the producer must provide supporting documentation to CCC to determine the producer's ownership share and the amount of production. If supporting documentation is required for the amount of actual production and for ownership share, it needs to be records that substantiate the reported amounts. The participant's production for the commodity is based on production records. Examples of supporting documentation include evidence provided by the participant that is used to substantiate the amount of production reported, including copies of receipts, ledgers of income, income statements of deposit slips, register tapes, invoices for custom harvesting, and records to verify production costs, contemporaneous measurements, truck scale tickets, or contemporaneous diaries that are determined acceptable by the FSA county committee. Payment Limitation For MFP payments, there will be a single combined $125,000 per person or legal entity payment limitation for shelled almonds and fresh sweet cherries. [[Page 48411]] Eligible Crops To be eligible to receive an MFP payment for a crop, the acreage of the crop must have been reported on FSA-578 and amount of production of shelled almonds or fresh sweet cherries must have been harvested and entered on the application. Sweet cherries intended for process market or juice are not eligible for MFP. The quantity of production for sweet cherries is on a ``pack-out'' basis. The quantity of production for shelled almonds will be based on the total eligible kernels or such similar term as edible meat weight. Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements This NOFA does not require changes to the information collection request currently approved by OMB control number 0560-0292. However, FSA has requested public comments through October 29, 2018, on the information collection requirements as specified in the NOFA published on August 30, 2018 (83 FR 44257-44258). Environmental Review The environmental impacts for MFP have been considered in a manner consistent with the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4321-4347), the regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), and the FSA regulation for compliance with NEPA (7 CFR part 799). As stated in the MFP final rule, the implementation of MFP and the participation in MFP do not constitute major Federal actions that would significantly affect the quality of the human environment, individually or cumulatively. The final rule served as documentation of the programmatic environmental compliance decision for this federal program; therefore, CCC will not prepare additional environmental compliance documentation for this NOFA. Federal Assistance Programs The title and number of the Federal assistance programs, as found in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance, to which this NOFA applies is: 10.123 Market Facilitation Program. Steven Peterson, Acting Administrator, Farm Service Agency. Robert Stephenson, Executive Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation. [FR Doc. 2018-20773 Filed 9-21-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-05-P
![48410 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 186 / Tuesday, September 25, 2018 / Notices
both RMA and FSA programs and the based on the eligible production Rate
Commodity Unit
high level of interest of the private multiplied by the participant’s share ($/unit)
agricultural service industry (precision- multiplied by the MFP payment rate.
ag and farm management) in the pilot Shelled Almonds ....... pound .... $0.03
DATES: Application period: September Fresh Sweet Cherries pound .... 0.16
phases. It will reengineer the
procedures, processes, and standards to 24, 2018, through January 15, 2019.
simplify commodity, acreage and FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The initial payment rate will apply to
production reporting by producers, Bradley Karmen, telephone: (202) 720– the first 50 percent of the producer’s
eliminate or minimize duplication of 3175. total production of the selected
information collection by multiple commodity. On or about December 3,
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 2018, CCC may announce a second
agencies and reduce the burden on
producers, insurance agents and AIPs. Background payment rate, if applicable, that will
Information being collected will consist apply to the remaining 50 percent of the
of, but not be limited to: Producer name, CCC published the MFP regulation, 7 producer’s production for the selected
location state, commodity name, CFR part 1409, on August 30, 2018 (83 commodity.
commodity type or variety, location FR 44173–44178), specifying the MFP payment at either the initial
county, date planted, land location eligibility requirements, payment payment rate or at a second payment
(legal description, FSA farm number, calculations, and application rate will be made after a producer
FSA track number, FSA field number), procedures for MFP. CCC also published harvests 100 percent of the crop and
intended use, prevented planting acres, a NOFA on August 30, 2018 (83 FR certifies the amount of production.
acres planted but failed, planted acres, 44257–44258) that announced funds The actual production used to
and production of commodity available for hogs and other calculate an MFP payment under this
produced. Failure to collect the commodities. MFP provides assistance NOFA is 2018 production in which the
applicable information could result in to producers with commodities that applicant had an ownership share.
unearned Federal benefits being issued have been significantly impacted by Specifically, required production
or producers being denied eligibility to actions of foreign governments resulting information is as follows:
program benefits. in the loss of traditional exports. This
Description of Respondents: • Harvested production for the 2018
NOFA announces the availability of
Individuals and households. crop year;
initial MFP payments for 2018 for
Number of Respondents: 501,012. shelled almonds and fresh sweet • An ownership share for a crop will
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: cherries. be as reported to FSA on the acreage
One time. report, form FSA–578, ‘‘Report of
Total Burden Hours: 187,880. Correction Acreage.’’
Ruth Brown, The NOFA announcing funds Production Evidence
Departmental Information Clearance Officer. availability for hogs specifies that the
On the application, the producer will
[FR Doc. 2018–20825 Filed 9–24–18; 8:45 am] date for which the owner reports the
certify the amount of production and
BILLING CODE 3410–08–P number of head of live hogs is August
note the source of production evidence.
1, 2018. It has come to our attention that
If requested, the producer must provide
the inventory on August 1 may not be
supporting documentation to CCC to
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE representative of the operation’s
determine the producer’s ownership
inventory. For example, a producer may
Commodity Credit Corporation share and the amount of production.
have sold a barnful of hogs a few days
before August 1, resulting in reduced If supporting documentation is
Farm Service Agency inventory and then purchased feeder required for the amount of actual
pigs a few days later. To provide an production and for ownership share, it
Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA); option for those owners to participate in needs to be records that substantiate the
Market Facilitation Program (MFP) MFP, this NOFA is revising the reported amounts. The participant’s
Payments to Producers requirement. Producers may select any production for the commodity is based
AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation day from July 15 through August 15, on production records. Examples of
and Farm Service Agency, USDA. 2018, as the date for which the supporting documentation include
ownership is reported. evidence provided by the participant
ACTION: Notice.
that is used to substantiate the amount
SUMMARY: MFP provides payments to Application Process of production reported, including copies
producers with commodities that have of receipts, ledgers of income, income
Each eligible producer applies for
been significantly impacted by actions statements of deposit slips, register
MFP on an application form. A
of foreign governments resulting in the tapes, invoices for custom harvesting,
producer applies for MFP once. MFP
loss of traditional exports. This NOFA and records to verify production costs,
payments will not be issued until a
announces the availability of MFP funds contemporaneous measurements, truck
producer certifies production, as
for eligible producers of shelled scale tickets, or contemporaneous
described below.
almonds and fresh sweet cherries and diaries that are determined acceptable
makes a correction to a previously Payment Rates by the FSA county committee.
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
issued NOFA published on August 30, Payment Limitation
2018, with respect to MFP funds The MFP payment rates will be as
availability for hogs. On behalf of the determined by CCC. For MFP payments, there will be a
Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), The MFP payment rates and units of single combined $125,000 per person or
the Farm Service Agency (FSA) measure that will be in effect beginning legal entity payment limitation for
administers MFP. MFP participants will at the start of the application period, are shelled almonds and fresh sweet
receive an MFP payment, calculated listed in the following table. cherries.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 186 / Tuesday, September 25, 2018 / Notices 48411
Eligible Crops COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS additional information may contact the
Regional Programs Unit Office at (312)
To be eligible to receive an MFP Notice of Public Meeting of the Indiana 353–8311.
payment for a crop, the acreage of the Advisory Committee to the U.S. Records generated from this meeting
crop must have been reported on FSA– Commission on Civil Rights. may be inspected and reproduced at the
578 and amount of production of Regional Programs Unit Office, as they
shelled almonds or fresh sweet cherries AGENCY: U.S. Commission on Civil
Rights. become available, both before and after
must have been harvested and entered the meeting. Records of the meeting will
on the application. Sweet cherries ACTION: Announcement of meeting.
be available via www.facadatabase.gov
intended for process market or juice are under the Commission on Civil Rights,
not eligible for MFP. The quantity of SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given,
pursuant to the provisions of the rules Indiana Advisory Committee link
production for sweet cherries is on a (http://www.facadatabase.gov/
‘‘pack-out’’ basis. The quantity of and regulations of the U.S. Commission
on Civil Rights (Commission) and the committee/meetings.aspx?cid=247).
production for shelled almonds will be Persons interested in the work of this
based on the total eligible kernels or Federal Advisory Committee Act that
the Indiana Advisory Committee Committee are directed to the
such similar term as edible meat weight. Commission’s website, http://
(Committee) will hold a meeting on
Paperwork Reduction Act Thursday September 27, 2018, from 3– www.usccr.gov, or may contact the
Requirements 4 p.m. EDT for the purpose of Regional Programs Unit Office at the
discussing a draft op-ed regarding above email or street address.
This NOFA does not require changes
to the information collection request voting rights in the state. Agenda:
currently approved by OMB control DATES: The meeting will be held on
Welcome and Introductions
number 0560–0292. However, FSA has Thursday September 27, 2018, from 3–
Draft op-ed review: Voting Rights in
requested public comments through 4 p.m. EDT.
Indiana
October 29, 2018, on the information ADDRESSES: Public call information: Public Comment
collection requirements as specified in Dial: 855–719–5012; Conference ID: Adjournment
the NOFA published on August 30, 8260781. Exceptional Circumstance: Pursuant
2018 (83 FR 44257–44258). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: to 41 CFR 102–3.150, the notice for this
Environmental Review Melissa Wojnaroski, DFO, at meeting is given less than 15 calendar
mwojnaroski@usccr.gov or 312–353– days prior to the meeting because of the
The environmental impacts for MFP 8311. exceptional circumstance of this
have been considered in a manner Committee discussing publication of an
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
consistent with the provisions of the op-ed regarding voting rights, to be
meeting is free and open to the public.
National Environmental Policy Act released prior to the voter registration
Members of the public may join through
(NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4321–4347), the deadline in the state.
the above listed toll free call in number.
regulations of the Council on
Members of the public will be invited to Dated: September 20, 2018.
Environmental Quality (40 CFR parts
make a statement as time allows. The David Mussatt,
1500–1508), and the FSA regulation for
conference call operator will ask callers Supervisory Chief, Regional Programs Unit.
compliance with NEPA (7 CFR part
to identify themselves, the organization [FR Doc. 2018–20900 Filed 9–24–18; 8:45 am]
799).
they are affiliated with (if any), and an BILLING CODE P
As stated in the MFP final rule, the email address prior to placing callers
implementation of MFP and the into the conference room. Callers can
participation in MFP do not constitute expect to incur regular charges for calls
major Federal actions that would they initiate over wireless lines, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
significantly affect the quality of the according to their wireless plan. The
human environment, individually or Submission for OMB Review;
Commission will not refund any Comment Request
cumulatively. The final rule served as incurred charges. Callers will incur no
documentation of the programmatic charge for calls they initiate over land- The Department of Commerce will
environmental compliance decision for line connections to the toll-free submit to the Office of Management and
this federal program; therefore, CCC will telephone number. Persons with hearing Budget (OMB) for clearance the
not prepare additional environmental impairments may also follow the following proposal for collection of
compliance documentation for this proceedings by first calling the Federal information under the provisions of the
NOFA. Relay Service at 1–800–877–8339 and Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C.
Federal Assistance Programs providing the Service with the chapter 35).
conference call number and conference Agency: Bureau of Economic Analysis
The title and number of the Federal ID number. (BEA), Department of Commerce.
assistance programs, as found in the Members of the public are also Title: Quarterly Survey of Foreign
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance, entitled to submit written comments; Airline Operators’ Revenues and
to which this NOFA applies is: the comments must be received in the Expenses in the United States.
10.123 Market Facilitation Program. regional office within 30 days following OMB Control Number: 0608–0068.
the meeting. Written comments may be Form Number: BE–9.
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
Steven Peterson, mailed to the Regional Programs Unit Type of Request: Regular submission.
Acting Administrator, Farm Service Agency. Office, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, Number of Responses: 180 annually
Robert Stephenson, 230 S Dearborn, Suite 2120, Chicago IL (45 filed each quarter; 44 reporting
Executive Vice President, Commodity Credit 60604. They may also be faxed to the mandatory data, and one that would file
Corporation. Commission at (312) 353–8324, or an exemption claim).
[FR Doc. 2018–20773 Filed 9–21–18; 8:45 am] emailed to Carolyn Allen at callen@ Average Hours per Response: 6 hours
BILLING CODE 3410–05–P usccr.gov. Persons who desire is the average for those reporting data,
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Document Created: 2018-09-25 00:22:12
Document Modified: 2018-09-25 00:22:12
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice. | |
| Dates | Application period: September 24, 2018, through January 15, 2019. | |
| Contact | Bradley Karmen, telephone: (202) 720- 3175. | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 48410 |
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