03-1821. Public Hearing on New Entrant's 2003 Crop Cane Sugar Marketing Allotment

AGENCY:

Commodity Credit Corporation, USDA.

ACTION:

Notice of public hearing.

SUMMARY:

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) will hold a public hearing to receive comments on providing an allocation to a new entrant processor and allotment to a new entrant State and possible impacts on existing cane processors and producers. CCC will also receive comments on the evidence CCC should require from a new entrant to demonstrate eligibility for a marketing allocation.

DATES:

The public hearing will be held January 29, 2003, in the Jefferson Auditorium of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) South Building, 1400 Independence Ave, SW., Washington, DC. The hearing will start at 10 a.m. eastern standard time (e.s.t.).

ADDRESSES:

Barbara Fecso, Dairy and Sweeteners Analysis Group, Economic Policy and Analysis Staff, Farm Service Agency, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 0516, Washington, DC 20250-0516; telephone [phone]; FAX [phone]; e-mail: [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Barbara Fecso at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

USDA will hold a public hearing as requested by sugarcane producers and processors regarding the application of the Arizona Sugar Factory, L.L.C., for a cane sugar marketing allocation for the 2003 crop year. The Arizona Sugar Factory is requesting a 2003-crop year allocation of 10,000 short tons, raw value, and an increase to 50,000 short tons, raw value, for the 2005 crop. The new processor will be located in California and Arizona, States that currently have no allotment (i.e., a new entrant State).

Section 359d(b)(1)(E) of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938, as amended, authorizes CCC to provide a sugarcane processor, who begins processing after May 13, 2002, an allocation that provides a fair, efficient, and equitable distribution of the allocations from the allotment for the State in which the processor is located. To make an allocation to a processor in California or Arizona, the Secretary will have to provide those States with an allotment. CCC considers the adverse effects on existing cane processors and producers when determining whether a new entrant processor allocation and new entrant State allotment are warranted. Also, prior to the promulgation of the 2003-crop marketing allotments, the Arizona Sugar Factory must provide satisfactory evidence that it has a viable processing facility, an adequate sugarcane supply, and a market for the cane sugar product. If approved, the new California or Arizona allotment will be subtracted, on a pro rata basis, from the allotments otherwise provided to each mainland State when the 2003 crop allotments are determined by USDA.

CCC will use this forum to collect comments on (1) any adverse effects that the provisions of an allocation to the Arizona Sugar Factory, L.L.C., and an allotment to California or Arizona may have on existing cane processors and producers, and (2) the evidence CCC should require from a new entrant to demonstrate the ability to process, produce, and market raw cane sugar. Attendance is open to interested parties.

The hearing will be held on January 29, 2003, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. e.s.t. in the Jefferson Auditorium of USDA South Building, 1400 Independence Ave., Washington, DC.

Anyone wishing to make an oral statement may do so, time permitting. Comments will be limited to 5 minutes. A signup sheet for oral statements will be available at the entrance of the Jefferson Auditorium one hour before the hearing begins. Oral statements will be made in the order the request was received. Anyone wishing to make a written statement in lieu of an oral statement should send their statement to Barbara Fecso, Dairy and Sweeteners Analysis Group, Economic Policy and Analysis Staff, Farm Service Agency, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 0516, Washington, DC 20250-0516; Telephone: [phone]; Fax: [phone]; e-mail: [e-mail]. Statements must be received by close of business on January 29, 2003.

Persons with disabilities who require special accommodations to attend or participate in the meeting should contact Barbara Fecso.

Signed in Washington, DC on January 22, 2003.

James R. Little,

Executive Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation.