95-3288. Sugar and Crystalline Fructose Marketing Allotment Regulations for Fiscal Years 1992 Through 1998  

  • [Federal Register Volume 60, Number 27 (Thursday, February 9, 1995)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 7697-7701]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 95-3288]
    
    
    
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    Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 27 / Thursday, February 9, 1995 / 
    Rules and Regulations
    [[Page 7697]]
    
    DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
    
    Commodity Credit Corporation
    
    7 CFR Part 1435
    
    RIN 0560-AC14
    
    
    Sugar and Crystalline Fructose Marketing Allotment Regulations 
    for Fiscal Years 1992 Through 1998
    
    AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation, USDA.
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    SUMMARY: The purpose of this final rule is to adopt as final, with 
    certain changes, the interim rule published in the Federal Register on 
    July 6, 1993 (58 FR 36120) and to adopt as final, without any changes, 
    the interim rule published in the Federal Register on August 6, 1993 
    (58 FR 41995). This final rule sets forth regulations to implement the 
    provisions of sections 359 b-j of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 
    1938 (the 1938 Act), as amended, regarding marketing allotments for 
    sugar processed from domestically produced sugarcane and sugar beets 
    and crystalline fructose (CF) manufactured from corn, including appeal 
    procedures, for the fiscal years 1992 through 1998.
    
    EFFECTIVE DATE: February 8, 1995.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert D. Barry, Director, Sweeteners 
    Analysis Division, Consolidated Farm Service Agency (CFSA), United 
    States Department of Agriculture (USDA), telephone: 202-720-3391.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    Executive Order 12866
    
        This final rule is issued in conformance with Executive Order 
    12866. Based on information compiled by the USDA, it has been 
    determined that this final rule:
        (1) Could have an annual effect on the economy of more than $100 
    million;
        (2) Could 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.
        A Final Regulatory Impact Analysis determined that marketing 
    allotments would reduce the quantity of domestically produced sugar 
    that could be marketed in the United States but overall raise revenues 
    of beet and cane producers, processors, and refiners through higher 
    prices to users. Marketing allotments would cause supply disruptions 
    and affect sugar-producing sectors, States, and local communities in 
    different ways depending on their particular balance of sugar supply 
    relating to allotments and allocations.
        Other than the above impacts, this rule:
        (1) Would not create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere 
    with an action taken or planned by another agency;
        (2) Would not materially alter the budgetary impact of 
    entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or rights and 
    obligations of recipients thereof; and
        (3) 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
    
        It has been determined that the Regulatory Flexibility Act is 
    applicable to this final rule. The Final Regulatory Impact Analysis 
    determined that this regulation has no significant impact on a 
    substantial number of small entities because the particular marketing 
    allotment options considered do not affect the paperwork, reporting, or 
    compliance burdens of the small entities in the program. The Commodity 
    Credit Corporation (CCC) thus certifies that the rule will have no 
    significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
    The Final Regulatory Impact Analysis describing the options considered 
    in developing this final rule and the impact of the implementation of 
    each option is available on request from the above-named individual.
    
    Environmental Evaluation
    
        It has been determined by an environmental evaluation that this 
    action will not have a significant impact on the quality of the human 
    environment. Therefore, neither an Environmental Assessment nor an 
    Environmental Impact Statement is necessary for this final rule.
    
    Federal Assistance Program
    
        The title and number of the Federal Assistance Program, as found in 
    the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance, to which this final rule 
    applies are: Commodity Loans and Purchases--10.051.
    
    Paperwork Reduction Act
    
        The information collection requirements for sugar beet and 
    sugarcane processors and raw cane sugar refiners have been approved by 
    the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) through March 31, 1996, and 
    assigned OMB no. 0560-0138.
        The public reporting burden for the approved collections of 
    information is estimated to average 90 minutes per response, including 
    time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, 
    gathering and maintaining the data needed, and computing and reviewing 
    the collection of information.
        Development of information collection requirements for sugarcane 
    growers subject to proportionate shares has not been finalized. These 
    information requirements will be submitted to OMB for review under the 
    provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 35).
    
    Executive Order 12372 and Executive Order 12778
    
        The program covered by this final rule 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).
        This final rule has been reviewed in accordance with Executive 
    Order 12778. The provisions of this final rule preempt State law to the 
    extent such laws are inconsistent with the provisions of this final 
    rule. This final rule is not retroactive. Before any action may be 
    brought regarding the provisions of this final rule, the administrative 
    appeal rights set forth at 7 CFR part 780 must be exhausted. 
    [[Page 7698]] 
    
    Background
    
        Title IX of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 
    1990 (the 1990 Act), which was enacted on November 28, 1990, amended 
    the 1938 Act to provide for the establishment, under certain 
    circumstances, of marketing allotments for sugar and CF for fiscal 
    years 1992 through 1996. Section 111 of the Food, Agriculture, 
    Conservation, and Trade Amendments Act of 1991, which was enacted on 
    December 13, 1991, amended several portions of the 1938 Act's marketing 
    allotment provisions. Pub. L. 102-535, Certain Producers of Sugarcane, 
    Provision for Equitable Treatment, which was enacted on October 27, 
    1992, further amended provisions pertaining to penalties for producers 
    in Louisiana who harvest acreage in excess of proportionate shares. The 
    Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (Pub. L. 103-66), which was 
    enacted on August 10, 1993, amended section 359b of the 1938 Act by:
        (1) Extending the marketing allotment provisions through fiscal 
    year 1998,
        (2) Allowing a processor of sugar beets or sugarcane to market 
    sugar in excess of allocation in order to facilitate the exportation of 
    such sugar,
        (3) No longer counting sugar under loan as sugar marketed, and
        (4) Imposing a civil penalty only if a processor knowingly violates 
    its marketing allocation limit.
    
    Summary of Comments
    
        An interim rule to implement the 1938 Act's provisions for sugar 
    marketing allotments was published July 6, 1993 (58 FR 36120) and an 
    interim rule to implement the appeal regulations was published August 
    6, 1993 (58 FR 41995). Fifteen comments were received from interested 
    persons regarding the interim regulations: four from cane industry 
    trade associations, one from an independent sugarcane grower, three 
    from sugar beet processing companies, two from farm bureaus, one from a 
    sugar beet grower organization, one from a beet sugar trade 
    association, one from a corn refining company, one signed by three 
    members of Congress, and one from a State Commissioner of Agriculture.
    
    Discussion of Comments
    
        1. There were 10 comments addressing the 3-factor criteria used to 
    establish the percentage factors for splitting the overall marketing 
    allotment between the cane and beet sectors.
        Eight comments dealt with the weights assigned each of the 
    criteria. Four commenters wanted past marketings to be the predominant 
    or only criterion used to establish the percentage factors. Their 
    recommendations for weighting past marketings ranged from 66 1/3 
    percent to 100 percent. Three commenters endorsed CCC's use of equal 
    weights for all three criteria. One commenter called for flexibility in 
    setting weights.
        One commenter suggested that, when establishing the percentage 
    factors, the Secretary not use the past marketing histories of defunct 
    processors.
        One commenter urged flexibility in the definition of ``processing 
    capacity'' in times of drought. It was suggested that processing 
    capacity be defined as the greater of:
        (1) The maximum production during the 1985-1989 crop year period, 
    or
        (2) The maximum production during the immediately preceding five 
    crop years.
        The 1938 Act requires the use of the three-factor criteria for 
    determining the percentage factors for overall beet and cane sugar 
    allotments (7 CFR 1435.511), State cane sugar allotments (7 CFR 
    1435.512), and beet and cane processor marketing allotment allocations 
    (7 CFR 1435.513). In each of these CFR sections, the regulations state: 
    ``Each of the three criteria * * * will be weighted equally, or as 
    deemed appropriate by CCC for each year allotments are in effect.
        CCC reaffirms its position that equal weighting for the three 
    factors is generally appropriate for purposes of the marketing 
    allotment statute, unless a different weighting is determined to be 
    more appropriate for a particular fiscal year in light of the 
    circumstances existing at such time. Equal weights were assigned to 
    each of the three factors when allotments were instituted in FY 1993. 
    An evaluation of the comments made and the effects of the FY 1993 
    allotments, and the experience gained during the administration of the 
    allotments, confirms that such flexibility is necessary in order to 
    avoid imposing disproportionate negative effects on a few processors, 
    while having no effect on other processors that have also expanded 
    production since the base period, or resulting in increased prices 
    considerably more than necessary to achieve the objectives of the no 
    cost price support program for sugar beets and sugarcane. CCC must 
    carefully evaluate the weighting of the three factors in order to 
    achieve the statutory goals of fairness, efficiency and equity in 
    allocating market shares and to avoid causing excessive prices for 
    consumers and industrial users of sugar. Moreover, in the abstract, it 
    cannot be determined that differing weights would be appropriate under 
    the conditions existing in each year in which the allotments might be 
    imposed.
        CCC also believes the definition of ``processing capacity'' should 
    be retained. Qualifying the definition for drought opens up arguments 
    for other crop problems, such as premature freezes, hurricane damage, 
    flooding, disease problems, and so forth, and would require complicated 
    determinations of relative degree of damage. Finally, the 1938 Act 
    explicitly states that the percentage factors for establishing the 
    overall beet and cane sugar allotments shall consider marketings of 
    sugar during the 1985 through 1989 time period. Therefore, past 
    marketings of recently defunct processors must be included in the 
    calculations. Thus, the 3-factor criteria specified in the interim rule 
    are adopted without change.
        2. Nine comments were received concerning the treatment of sugar 
    pledged for price-support loans when allotments were in effect.
        The commenters were critical of defining marketing to include the 
    pledging and repledging of sugar. These concerns were addressed by the 
    Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, which amended the previous 
    statute so that only loan forfeitures and sales may count against 
    allocations.
        Thus, Secs. 1435.510, 1435.513, and 1435.528 are revised 
    accordingly. Also, Sec. 1435.513 is revised to require that a sale 
    between processors to enable the purchasing processor to fulfill its 
    allocation be reported to CCC within a week of the date of such sale. 
    The interim rule had required that such sale be reported within 2 days. 
    This earlier requirement resulted in an undue paperwork burden.
        3. There were seven comments concerning allocations of the 
    marketing allotments. Three comments concerned the reassignment of 
    deficits. One commenter suggested that CCC set a specific timetable for 
    assessing the need to reassign deficits and make the timetable known to 
    the industry in advance. One commenter recommended reassignment of 
    deficits after 20 days, and another after 30 days.
        CCC acknowledges the need for prompt reassignment of deficits 
    relative to marketing allocations, so as not to short the market. 
    However, it is also important to allow deficit companies reasonable 
    time to purchase sugar and fill the deficit. When allotments were 
    announced during fiscal year 1993, the first reassignments were made 26 
    days later and related only to the cane sector. The next reassignments, 
    which related to both the cane and beet sectors, [[Page 7699]] occurred 
    56 days later. The timing of the second reassignment was partially 
    impacted by delays in some processors' monthly reporting. Because the 
    most recent data available are crucial for determining reassignments, 
    and CCC cannot always be assured of timely receipt of processor data, 
    CCC can only ensure that reassignments will be made as soon and as 
    frequently as practicable.
        Thus, Sec. 1435.514 is revised accordingly.
        Two commenters called for allowances for new processors. CCC once 
    again notes that the sugar marketing allotment provisions of the 1938 
    Act do not provide for special treatment for new entrants. Such 
    processors will be unable to acquire a past marketings status but may 
    acquire processing capacity and the ability to market sugar.
        Thus, CCC rejects the recommendation.
        One commenter recommended that CCC be required to publish sugar 
    marketing allotments at least 2 months before the beginning of the 
    fiscal year, and if readjustments are needed, they should be announced 
    in advance of each quarter. However, the statute requires that, before 
    the beginning of each quarter, the CCC establish, adjust, or suspend 
    marketing allotments depending on its assessment of appropriate 
    factors. Therefore, CCC cannot impose allotments at the beginning of 
    each fiscal year to be subsequently adjusted or suspended as needed. 
    Furthermore, CCC requires flexibility in the time for announcing 
    allotments and readjustments, balancing the need for up-to-date 
    information and analysis with the need of companies for as much advance 
    notice as possible.
        Therefore, CCC rejects the recommendation.
        One commenter recommended that the allocation of a facility closing 
    or curtailing operations be transferred along with each grower's 
    production history to other processors in the same State, and if that 
    State cannot fulfill the allocation, to beet processors outside the 
    State.
        CCC reiterates that under the provisions of the 1938 Act, 
    allocations are not made on a facility basis, but rather on a processor 
    basis. At the processor level, a plant closing would have no effect on 
    past marketings and would reduce processing capacity after five years, 
    if the former production by the closed facility were not offset by 
    increased production at other facilities owned by the processor. Once a 
    facility is shut down, CCC would have to assess whether the processor's 
    ability to market would be affected, and if the processor were placed 
    in a ``deficit'' due to the closure of a facility, CCC would reassign 
    the deficit.
        Thus, CCC rejects the recommendation.
        4. Three commenters questioned CCC's definition of sugar in its 
    various forms. Two commenters wanted liquid fructose derived from 
    sucrose to be excluded from the definition of sugar. CCC continues to 
    maintain that, based on well established definitions of sugar and 
    sucrose, fructose from sucrose is sugar, rather than a sugar product. 
    Sugar products which are not subject to allotment would consist of 
    products, other than sugar, whose majority content is not sucrose or 
    which are not suitable for human consumption. Permitting liquid 
    fructose derived from sucrose to be exempt from marketing allotments 
    would be a circumvention of the purposes of the statute.
        Thus, the definition of sugar as provided in the interim rule is 
    adopted without change.
        One commenter alleged inconsistency regarding to CCC's definitions 
    for molasses, cane syrup, liquid sugar, and edible molasses, and 
    referred to the need to conform with U.S. Customs definitions. CCC in 
    the interim rule adopted the Customs definition of liquid sugar but 
    also indicated the need to distinguish among liquid sugar, cane syrup, 
    and sugar syrup. Regarding molasses, the Customs definition refers only 
    to high-test or invert molasses which is not molasses but actually a 
    sugar. CCC has found no universally accepted industry definition of 
    molasses in terms of precise content of sucrose or sucrose-equivalent 
    of invert sugars. Edible molasses is considered a sugar, with a 
    sucrose-solids content of approximately over 60 percent. Sugar syrup 
    has a higher sucrose content but its precise demarcation from edible 
    molasses is not given. Both sugars are defined by CCC, for program 
    purposes, in terms of sucrose-solids content. However, CCC does agree 
    that the definition of sugar syrup, as contained in the interim rule, 
    may be further clarified by stating that it is not principally of 
    crystalline structure.
        Thus, Sec. 1435.502 is revised accordingly.
        5. Two commenters urged USDA to reconsider imposing penalties on 
    processors who had already exceeded their allocation prior to the 
    announcement of allotments/allocations. The Omnibus Reconciliation Act 
    of 1993 has amended the 1938 Act to exempt processors from penalties 
    unless they ``knowingly'' marketed sugar in excess of allocation.
        Thus, Sec. 1435.528 is revised accordingly.
        6. There were four comments concerning proportionate shares to 
    producers. One commenter wanted clarification of the circumstances 
    under which more than the average per acre yield for the preceding five 
    years would be utilized in determining the State's per acre yield goal. 
    The interim rule states in Sec. 1435.521 that the State's per-acre 
    yield goal will be at a level not less than the State average per-acre 
    yield for the preceding 5 years, adjusted by the State average recovery 
    rate. However, section 359f(b)(3)(A) of the 1938 Act actually states 
    that the State's average per-acre yield goal shall be at a level (not 
    less than the State average per-acre yield for the preceding 5 years, 
    as determined by the Secretary) that will ensure an adequate net return 
    per pound to producers, taking into consideration any available 
    production research data that the Secretary deems relevant. Section 
    359f(b)(3)(B) of the 1938 Act also states that the Secretary shall 
    adjust the per acre yield goal by the average recovery rate.
        Thus, Sec. 1435.521 is revised accordingly.
        Another commenter wanted CCC to require Louisiana farmers to 
    complete acreage reporting by July 1 and inform producers by August 15 
    of the acreage that may be planted to meet their proportionate shares 
    for the following crop year. However, CCC is not able to determine 
    whether allotments will be implemented that far in advance.
        Thus, CCC rejects this recommendation.
        The third comment concerned a recommendation that sugarcane acreage 
    certified with ASCS by July be immediately figured into a farm base 
    history for marketing allotment calculations for the following fiscal 
    year when the crop is harvested. However, the 1938 Act specifically 
    states that the acreage base for any farm is equal to the average of 
    the acreage planted or considered planted for harvest for sugar or seed 
    in each of the 5 crop years preceding the fiscal years that 
    proportionate shares will be in effect. The acreage certified in July 
    is considered the current crop year for the fiscal year that starts on 
    the following October 1. Thus, the 1938 Act does not permit CCC to use 
    the July data in determining proportionate shares.
        The last comment concerned a request that any reduction in acreage 
    eligibility as a result of proportionate shares not result in any 
    reductions in future farm base levels. Under current policy, the 
    acreage certified in July is used for calculating a farm's acreage 
    base, [[Page 7700]] regardless of whether allotments (and proportionate 
    shares) are subsequently instituted.
        7. There were two comments concerning reasonable ending stocks in 
    the trigger formula for marketing allotments. One commenter said USDA 
    should choose a method to define reasonable stocks in order to give 
    credibility to the process by which allotments are imposed. The other 
    commenter supported flexibility in determining reasonable carry-over 
    stocks, but suggested USDA use a range of stocks-to-use ratios in order 
    to remain consistent.
        CCC has consistently rejected a mechanical formula for determining 
    reasonable ending stocks, and instead depends on a comprehensive 
    analysis of the market situation, outlook, and prices. A purely 
    statistical ratio cannot capture the full complexity of the sugar 
    market.
        Thus, CCC rejects the recommendation.
        8. Two commenters recommended that CCC allow swaps between beet and 
    quota or domestically produced sugar to facilitate exportation of 
    surplus sugar. The current regulations do not address this issue of 
    ``swapping.'' Rather, this issue will have to be addressed in terms of 
    further rulemaking i.e., a new proposed rule, followed by a comment 
    period and final rule.
        9. One commenter urged USDA to use the required monthly data 
    submitted by the industry under section 359a of the 1938 Act for 
    calculating all phases of allotments and allocations because these are 
    the best data available. CCC agrees with the need to use the best 
    available data for determining allotments and allocations. However, the 
    rule is not changed for this comment because the data published by the 
    World Outlook and Situation Board and the National Agricultural 
    Statistics Service are deemed as ``official'' USDA estimates.
        10. One commenter wanted the term ``U.S. Market Value'' for 
    sugarcane to be defined as ``the daily New York No. 14 contract 
    settlement price for the nearest month less prevailing discounts for 
    raw sugar.''
        CCC does not agree with this proposal because discounts to the No. 
    14 contract price vary continually over time and among the different 
    refiners.
        11. One commenter reiterated a previous contention that CF is a 
    premium product to sugar, does not compete with sugar, and has value 
    based on qualities lacking in sugar. The commenter wanted the 
    calculation of CF equivalence to be revised to give CF credit for 
    qualities that sugar does not possess. CCC maintains that if CF is a 
    premium product to sugar, then less (not more) of CF would be 
    equivalent to the sugar quantity of 200,000 tons. Furthermore, the 
    price premium of CF depends not just on the inherent quality of CF 
    relative to sugar but on transient market conditions, including 
    variable competitive relationships among alternative sweeteners.
        Thus, CCC rejects the recommendation.
        12. The following comments are considered to be outside the limits 
    of this rulemaking, or are clearly contrary to the provisions of the 
    1938 Act:
        (1) Proportionate shares should be established for Florida 
    independent growers,
        (2) Imports of sugar from Canada should be reduced to traditional 
    levels, and
        (3) Allotments and allocations cannot be justified for fiscal 1994.
        Thus, CCC does not address these matters.
        13. No comments were received regarding appeal regulations 
    published August 6, 1993 (58 FR 41995).
        Thus, 7 CFR 1435.530 is adopted as provided in the interim rule.
    
    Additional Changes
    
        14. Two additional sections of the interim rule are revised to 
    include the specific wording of the 1938 Act.
        First, Sec. 1435.507(a) is revised to say that CCC will make 
    quarterly re-estimates ``no later than the beginning'' of each of the 
    second through fourth quarters of the fiscal year, rather than ``before 
    the beginning of each quarter''. This will bring the regulations into 
    conformance with section 359b(2) of the 1938 Act.
        Second, Sec. 1435.520(b) is revised to say that a processor's 
    allocation will be shared among producers in ``a fair and equitable 
    manner which adequately reflects'' each producer's production history, 
    rather than in ``a fair and adequate manner''. This will bring the 
    regulations into conformance with section 359f(a) of the 1938 Act.
    
    List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 1435
    
        Administrative practice and procedures, Appeals, Loan programs/
    agriculture, Marketing allotments, Price support programs, Reporting 
    and recordkeeping requirements, Sugar.
    
        Accordingly, the interim rule amending 7 CFR part 1435, which was 
    published on August 6, 1993, (58 FR 41995) is adopted as final without 
    any changes, and the interim rule amending 7 CFR part 1435 which was 
    published on July 6, 1993, (58 FR 36120) is adopted as final with the 
    following changes:
    
    PART 1435--SUGAR
    
        1. The authority citation for 7 CFR part 1435 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1359aa-1359jj, 1421, 1423, 1446g; 15 U.S.C. 
    714b and 714c.
    
        2. In Sec. 1435.500, paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) are revised to 
    read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 1435.500  Applicability.
    
        (a) * * *
        (1) The marketing by processors, during fiscal years 1992 through 
    1998, of sugar processed from domestically produced sugarcane and sugar 
    beets;
        (2) The marketing by manufacturers, during fiscal years 1992 
    through 1998, of crystalline fructose manufactured from corn;
    * * * * *
        3. In Sec. 1435.502, the definition of ``sugar syrup'' is revised 
    to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 1435.502  Definitions.
    
    * * * * *
        Sugar syrup means a direct-consumption sugar, which is not 
    principally of crystalline structure, that has a sucrose or sucrose-
    equivalent invert sugar content of less than 94 percent of the total 
    soluble solids.
    * * * * *
        4. In Sec. 1435.507, paragraph (a) introductory text is revised to 
    read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 1435.507  Annual estimates and quarterly re-estimates.
    
        (a) Before the beginning of each of the fiscal years 1993 through 
    1998, CCC will estimate, and no later than the beginning of each of the 
    second through fourth quarters of such fiscal years, CCC will re-
    estimate, for such fiscal year:
    * * * * *
        5. In Sec. 1435.510, paragraph (d) is revised to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 1435.510  Adjustment of overall allotment quantity.
    
    * * * * *
        (d) If the overall allotment quantity is reduced under paragraph 
    (a)(1) of this section and the quantity of sugar and sugar products 
    marketed, at the time of the reduction, exceeds the processors' reduced 
    allocation, the quantity of excess sugar or sugar products marketed 
    will be deducted from the processor's next allocation of an allotment, 
    if any. The exceptions provided for in Sec. 1435.513 shall be 
    applicable in determining whether a processor has exceeded a reduced 
    allocation.
    * * * * *
        6. In Sec. 1435.513:
        A. Paragraph (f) is revised,
        B. Paragraph (g) is removed, and [[Page 7701]] 
        C. Paragraph (h) is redesignated as paragraph (g) and redesignated 
    paragraph (g) is revised to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 1435.513  Allocation of marketing allotments to processors.
    
    * * * * *
        (f) During any fiscal year in which marketing allotments are in 
    effect and allocated to processors, the total of the quantity of sugar 
    and sugar products marketed by a processor shall not exceed the 
    quantity of the allocation of the allotment made to the processor.
        (g) Paragraph (f) of this section shall not apply to any sale of 
    sugar by a processor to another processor that is made to enable the 
    purchasing processor to fulfill the purchasing processor's allocation 
    of an allotment. Such sales shall be reported to CCC within a week of 
    the date of any such sale.
        7. In Sec. 1435.514, paragraph (a) is revised to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 1435.514  Reassignment of deficits.
    
        (a) From time to time in each fiscal year that marketing allotments 
    are in effect, CCC will determine whether processors of sugar beets or 
    sugarcane will be able to market sugar covered by the portions of the 
    allotments allocated to them. These determinations will be made giving 
    due consideration to current inventories of sugar, estimated production 
    of sugar, expected marketings, and any other pertinent factors. These 
    determinations will be made as soon and as frequently as practicable.
    * * * * *
        8. In Sec. 1435.520, paragraph (b) is revised to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 1435.520  Sharing processors' allocations with producers.
    
    * * * * *
        (b) Whenever allocations of a marketing allotment are established 
    or adjusted, every sugar beet processor and sugarcane processor must 
    provide to CCC such adequate assurances as are required to ensure that 
    the processor's allocation will be shared among producers served by the 
    processor in a fair and equitable manner which adequately reflects each 
    producer's production history.
    * * * * *
        9. In Sec. 1435.521, paragraph (c) (1) is revised to read as 
    follows:
    
    
    Sec. 1435.521  Proportionate shares for producers of sugarcane.
    
    * * * * *
        (c) * * *
        (1) Establish the State's per-acre yield goal at a level (not less 
    than the average per-acre yield in the State for the preceding 5 years) 
    that will ensure an adequate net return per pound to producers in the 
    State, taking into consideration any available production research data 
    considered relevant;
    * * * * *
        10. In Sec. 1435.528, paragraphs (a) and (b) are revised to read as 
    follows:
    
    
    Sec. 1435.528  Penalties and assessments.
    
        (a) In accordance with section 359b(d)(3) of the Agricultural 
    Adjustment Act of 1938, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1359bb(d)(3)), any sugar 
    beet processor or sugarcane processor who knowingly markets sugar or 
    sugar products in excess of the processor's allocation in violation of 
    Sec. 1435.513 shall be liable to CCC for a civil penalty in an amount 
    equal to 3 times the U.S. market value, at the time the violation was 
    committed, of that quantity of sugar involved in the violation.
        (b) In accordance with section 359b(d)(3) of the Agricultural 
    Adjustment Act of 1938, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1359bb(d)(3)), any 
    manufacturer of CF who knowingly markets CF in excess of the 
    manufacturer's marketing allotment shall pay to CCC a civil penalty in 
    an amount equal to 3 times the U.S. market value, at the time the 
    violation was committed, of that quantity of CF involved in the 
    violation.
    * * * * *
        Signed at Washington, DC, on February 2, 1995.
    Grant Buntrock,
    Acting Executive Vice President,
    Commodity Credit Corporation.
    [FR Doc. 95-3288 Filed 2-8-95; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 3410-05-P
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
2/8/1995
Published:
02/09/1995
Department:
Commodity Credit Corporation
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
95-3288
Dates:
February 8, 1995.
Pages:
7697-7701 (5 pages)
RINs:
0560-AC14
PDF File:
95-3288.pdf
CFR: (9)
7 CFR 1435.500
7 CFR 1435.502
7 CFR 1435.507
7 CFR 1435.510
7 CFR 1435.513
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