[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 176 (Monday, September 13, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 49439]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-23795]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation
Notice and Request for Public Comment on the Watermelon Pilot
Crop Insurance Program
AGENCY: Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, USDA.
ACTION: Notice with request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces that the Federal Crop Insurance
Corporation (FCIC) is hereby suspending the current watermelon pilot
crop insurance program for the 2000 crop year. FCIC will continue to
work with producers, industry representatives, and others to develop a
revised watermelon insurance program that may better meet the needs of
producers. The intended effect of this action is to advise all
interested parties of FCIC's suspension of the current watermelon
program for the 2000 crop year and to solicit comments regarding a
revised watermelon pilot crop insurance program.
DATES: Written comments and opinions on suggested improvements for the
insurance of watermelons will be accepted until close of business
November 12, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to
the Director, Research and Evaluation Division, Federal Crop Insurance
Corporation, United States Department of Agriculture, 9435 Holmes Road,
Kansas City, MO 64131. Comments may also be sent via the Internet to
[email protected] A copy of each response will be available
for public inspection and copying from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., CDT, Monday
through Friday except holidays, at the above address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathy Tiefel, Insurance Management
Specialist, Research and Development Division, Federal Crop Insurance
Corporation, at the Kansas City, MO, address listed above, telephone
(816) 926-6343.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The current watermelon pilot crop insurance
program was implemented for the 1999 crop year in the following fifteen
counties in eight States: Geneva County in Alabama; Sussex County in
Delaware; Alachua, Jackson, and Manatee Counties in Florida; Crisp,
Tift, Turner, and Worth Counties in Georgia; Wicomico County in
Maryland; Chowan and Sampson Counties in North Carolina; and Duval,
Frio, and Hidalgo Counties in Texas. The selected pilot program
counties accounted for approximately 19 percent of the national
watermelon planted acreage. The pilot program utilized an actual
production history (APH) plan of insurance. As a result of complaints
received regarding the watermelon pilot crop insurance program
concerning excess watermelon production and determination of market
prices, FCIC is suspending the current program for the 2000 crop year.
FCIC will continue to work with producers, industry representatives,
and others to develop a watermelon insurance program that may better
meet the needs of producers.
Notice
FCIC is hereby suspending the current watermelon pilot crop
insurance program for the 2000 crop year. Producers with existing
watermelon policies will have those policies canceled by the
cancellation date in accordance with the terms of the policy. FCIC will
continue to work with producers, industry representatives, and others
to develop a watermelon insurance program that may better meet the
needs of producers. Plans of insurance other than the APH plan will be
considered. FCIC is soliciting comments regarding a revised watermelon
pilot crop insurance program.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1506(l), 1506(p).
Signed in Washington, DC, on September 7, 1999.
Kenneth D. Ackerman,
Manager, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation.
[FR Doc. 99-23795 Filed 9-10-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-08-P
