03-19208. Eligibility and Scope of Financing

AGENCY:

Farm Credit Administration.

ACTION:

Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

SUMMARY:

The Farm Credit Administration (FCA) is extending the comment period on our Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking concerning eligibility and scope of financing for farmers, ranchers, and aquatic producers or harvesters, and “moderately priced” rural housing. We are extending the comment period so all interested parties have more time to respond to our questions.

DATES:

Please send your comments to the FCA by October 29, 2003.

ADDRESSES:

We encourage you to send comments by electronic mail to “[e-mail],” through the Pending Regulations section of FCA's Web site, http://www.fca.gov,, or through the government-wide http://www.regulations.gov portal. You may also send comments to S. Robert Coleman, Director, Regulation and Policy Division, Office of Policy and Analysis, Farm Credit Administration, 1501 Farm Credit Drive, McLean, Virginia 22102-5090 or by facsimile to [phone]. You may review copies of all comments we receive at our office in McLean, Virginia.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mark L. Johansen, Policy Analyst, Office of Policy and Analysis, Farm Credit Administration, McLean, VA 22102-5090, [phone], TTY [phone].

  Or

Richard A. Katz, Senior Attorney, Office of General Counsel, Farm Credit Administration, McLean, VA 22102-5090, [phone], TTY [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

On May 2, 2003, FCA published a notice in the Federal Register seeking public comment on whether it should revise its regulations governing eligibility and scope of financing for farmers, ranchers, and aquatic producers or harvesters who borrow from Farm Credit System institutions that operate under titles I or II of the Farm Credit Act of 1971, as amended. In addition, we requested public comment on whether we should modify our regulatory definition of “moderately priced” rural housing. The comment period expires on July 31, 2003. See 68 FR 23425, May 2, 2003.

We also held a public meeting on June 26, 2003, to hear views from the public about whether and how we should revise our regulations governing eligibility, scope of financing, and “moderately priced” rural housing. After the public meeting two members of the public requested that we extend the comment period for an additional 90 days. In response to this request, we are extending the comment period until October 29, 2003, so all interested parties have more time to respond to our questions. The FCA supports public involvement and participation in its regulatory and policy process and invites all interested parties to review and provide comments on our notice.

Dated: July 23, 2003.

Jeanette C. Brinkley,

Secretary, Farm Credit Administration Board.