05-6268. Trade Adjustment Assistance for Farmers

AGENCY:

Foreign Agricultural Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Notice.

The Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), approved a petition for trade adjustment assistance (TAA) that was filed on February 11, 2005, by the Potato Growers of Idaho, Blackfoot, Idaho. The certification date is March 28, 2005. Beginning on this date, Idaho potato producers who produce fresh market potatoes will be eligible to apply for fiscal year 2005 benefits during an application period ending June 27, 2005.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Upon investigation, the Administrator determined that increased imports of french fries contributed importantly to a decline in producer prices of fresh potatoes in Idaho by 21 percent during January 2003 through December 2003, when compared with the previous 5-year average.

Eligible producers must apply to the Farm Service Agency for benefits. After submitting completed applications, producers shall receive technical assistance provided by the Extension Service at no cost and may receive an adjustment assistance payment, if certain program criteria are satisfied. Applicants must obtain the technical assistance from the Extension Service by September 26, 2005, in order to be eligible for financial payments.

Producers of raw agricultural commodities wishing to learn more about TAA and how they may apply should contact the Department of Agriculture at the addresses provided below for General Information.

Producers Certified as Eligible for TAA, Contact: Farm Service Agency service centers in Idaho.

For General Information About TAA, Contact: Jean-Louis Pajot, Coordinator, Trade Adjustment Assistance for Farmers, FAS, USDA, [phone], e-mail: [e-mail].

Dated: March 28, 2005.

A. Ellen Terpstra,

Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service.