98-29588. Regulations Governing the Financing of Commercial Sales of Agricultural Commodities  

  • [Federal Register Volume 63, Number 214 (Thursday, November 5, 1998)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 59691-59692]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 98-29588]
    
    
    
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    Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 214 / Thursday, November 5, 1998 / 
    Rules and Regulations
    
    [[Page 59691]]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
    
    Office of the Secretary
    
    7 CFR Part 17
    
    RIN 0551-AA54
    
    
    Regulations Governing the Financing of Commercial Sales of 
    Agricultural Commodities
    
    AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation, USDA.
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: This rule revises the regulations applicable to the financing 
    of the sale and exportation of agricultural commodities pursuant to 
    title I of the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 
    1954, as amended (Pub. L. 480). The rule would permit a waiver of the 
    present requirement that only private entities with a business office 
    or agent in the United States are eligible to enter into title I, Pub. 
    L. 480 agreements when the General Sales Manager determines that there 
    is adequate assurance of repayment to CCC. This change would allow 
    additional foreign private entities to participate in title I, and 
    thereby increase exports of U.S. agricultural commodities.
    
    DATES: This rule is effective November 5, 1998.
    
    ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to Grant Pettrie, Acting Director, 
    Program Development Division, Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. 
    Department of Agriculture, Room 4506, South Building, Stop 1034, 
    Washington, DC 20250-1034.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Acting Director, Program Development 
    Division, Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
    Room 4506, South Building, Stop 1034, Washington, DC 20250-1034; 
    telephone: (202) 720-4221; Facsimile: (202) 690-0251.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This rule is issued in conformance with 
    Executive Order 12866. Based on information compiled by the Department, 
    it has been determined that this rule:
        (1) Would have an annual effect on the economy of less than $100 
    million;
        (2) Would not adversely affect in a material way the economy, a 
    sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the 
    environment, public health or safety, or State, local, or tribal 
    governments or communities;
        (3) Would not create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere 
    with an action taken or planned by another agency;
        (4) Would not alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, 
    user fees, or loan programs or rights and obligations of recipients 
    thereof; and
        (5) Would not raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of 
    legal mandates, the President's priorities, or principles set forth in 
    Executive Order 12866.
    
    Regulatory Flexibility Act
    
        This rule has been reviewed with regard to the requirements of the 
    Regulatory Flexibility Act. The Vice President, CCC, who is the General 
    Sales Manager, has certified that this rule will not have a significant 
    economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Under title 
    I, Pub. L. 480 CCC enters into agreements with foreign governments or 
    private entities to finance their purchase and importation of U.S. 
    agricultural commodities. The rule would allow a waiver of an existing 
    program requirement that restricts the eligibility of businesses in 
    foreign countries to enter into these agreements with CCC. A copy of 
    this rule has been submitted to the General Counsel, Small Business 
    Administration.
    
    Executive Order 12372
    
        This program is not subject to the provisions of Executive Order 
    12372 which requires intergovernmental consultation with state and 
    local officials. See the Notice related to 7 CFR Part 3015, Subpart V, 
    published at 48 FR 29115 (June 24, 1983).
    
    Paperwork Reduction Act
    
        The information collection requirements imposed by this rule have 
    been previously submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
    under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). OMB 
    has assigned control number 0551-0005 for this information collection. 
    This rule would not require the collection of additional information.
    
    Executive Order 12988
    
        This rule has been reviewed under Executive order 12988, Civil 
    Justice Reform. The rule would have preemptive effect with respect to 
    any state or local laws, regulations, or policies which conflict with 
    such provisions or which otherwise impede their full implementation. 
    The final rule does not have a retroactive effect. The rule does not 
    require that administrative remedies be exhausted before suit may be 
    filed.
    
    Background
    
        Title I of the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 
    1954, as amended (Pub. L. 480) authorizes CCC to finance the sale and 
    exportation of agricultural commodities on concessional credit terms, 7 
    U.S.C. 1701 et seq. CCC may enter into title I, Pub. L. 480 agreements 
    with private entities. Current regulations provide that, in order to be 
    eligible for a title I, Pub. L. 480 agreement, a private entity must 
    maintain a bona fide business office in the United States and have a 
    person, principal, or agent on whom service of judicial process may be 
    had in the United States.
        On August 7, 1998, CCC published a proposed rule (63 FR 42283) that 
    would allow the General Sales Manager to waive this requirement if the 
    foreign private entity provides adequate assurances of repayment to CCC 
    for the financing extended to it under the Pub. L. 480 agreement.
        The purpose of the proposed rule was to allow CCC more flexibility 
    in programming in order to take advantage of viable export 
    opportunities. CCC did not receive any comments on the proposed rule 
    and is adopting it as a final rule without change.
    
    List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 17
    
        Agricultural commodities, Exports, Finance, Maritime carriers.
        Accordingly, this rule amends part 17 of 7 CFR As follows:
    
    [[Page 59692]]
    
    Part 17--Sales of Agricultural Commodities Made Available Under 
    Title I of the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 
    1954, as Amended
    
        1. The authority citation for part 17 continues to read as follows:
    
        Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1701-1704, 1731-1736b, 1736f, 5676,; E.O. 
    12220, 45 FR 44245.
        2. Section 17.1(b)(3) is revised to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 17.1  General.
    
    * * * * *
        (b) * * *
        (3) A private entity must maintain a bona fide business office in 
    the United States and have a person, principal, or agent on whom 
    service of judicial process may be had in the United States unless the 
    General Sales Manager determines that there are adequate assurances of 
    repayment to CCC for the financing extended by CCC.
    * * * * *
        Signed at Washington, DC, on October 14, 1998.
    Lon Hatamiya,
    Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service and Vice President, 
    Commodity Credit Corporation.
    [FR Doc. 98-29588 Filed 11-4-98; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 3410-10-M
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
11/5/1998
Published:
11/05/1998
Department:
Agriculture Department
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
98-29588
Dates:
This rule is effective November 5, 1998.
Pages:
59691-59692 (2 pages)
RINs:
0551-AA54: Regulations Governing the Financing of Commercial Sales of Agricultural Commodities
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/0551-AA54/regulations-governing-the-financing-of-commercial-sales-of-agricultural-commodities
PDF File:
98-29588.pdf
CFR: (1)
7 CFR 17.1