03-25522. Trade Adjustment Assistance for Farmers

AGENCY:

Foreign Agricultural Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Notice.

The Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), today accepted petitions filed by the Catfish Farmers of America, Indianola, Mississippi; Rutledge & Rutledge, Newport, Arkansas; and the Western Regional Chapter of Kentucky Aquaculture Association, Farmington, Kentucky, for trade adjustment assistance. The groups represent catfish producers in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah. The Administrator will determine within 40 days whether or not imports of fresh, chilled, or frozen catfish fillets, contributed importantly to a decline in domestic producer prices of 20 percent or more during calendar 2002. If the determination is positive, all catfish farmers represented by the petitioners will be eligible to apply to the Farm Service Agency for technical assistance at no cost and adjustment assistance payments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jean-Louis Pajot, Coordinator, Trade Adjustment Assistance for Farmers, FAS, USDA, [phone], e-mail: [e-mail].

Dated: October 2, 2003.

A. Ellen Terpstra,

Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service.