Notice of the USDA action was published in the Dec. 6 Federal Register. Comments will be considered if received on or before Feb. 4, 1994. An original and three copies of written comments referring to docket 93-148-1 should be sent to Chief, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, USDA, Room 804 Federal Building, 6505 Belcrest Road, Hyattsville, Md. 20782. Comments may be inspected at USDA, Room 1141 South Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C., or at USDA, Suite 7 (first floor) Federal Building, 6505 Belcrest Road, Hyattsville, Md. 20782, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays.
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Release No. 0007.94
Bruce Merkle (202) 720-8206
USDA ANNOUNCES FINAL 1994 UPLAND COTTON ACREAGE REDUCTION
WASHINGTON, Jan. 4--Secretary of Agriculture Mike Espy today announced that the acreage reduction percentage for 1994-crop upland cotton will be 11 percent. This is a 6.5 percentage point reduction from the preliminary level announced on November 1 and reflects tightened 1993-crop supplies resulting from a reduction in estimated U.S. and foreign cotton production in 1993. Espy said that the 11 percent acreage reduction for 1994 is projected by USDA to be the level which most closely conforms with applicable statutory requirements regarding the maintenance of a desirable end-of-year stock level.
The announced upland cotton acreage reduction percentage is lower than the preliminary level, so upland cotton producers in 'early planting areas' will not be unfairly disadvantaged by the change. Producers in those areas will be required to comply with today's announced reduction in 1994 in order to be eligible for 1994 program benefits.
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Release No. 0008.94
Bruce Merkle (202) 720-8206
USDA DETERMINES SUGAR MARKETING ALLOTMENT UNNECESSARY FOR 1994 FY 2ND QUARTER
WASHINGTON, Jan. 4--The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced that sugar marketing allotments for domestic sugar will not be established during the second quarter of Fiscal Year 1994.
This determination is based on December estimates of the U.S. sugar situation and outlook for FY 1994. Re-estimates of the fiscal year sugar supply and distribution will be made quarterly to determine if marketing allotments are to be established later in the fiscal year.
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Release No. 0010.94
Bruce Merkle (202) 720-8206
CCC INTEREST RATE FOR JANUARY 3 5/8 PERCENT
WASHINGTON, Jan. 4 -- Commodity loans disbursed in January by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporation will carry a 3 5/8 percent interest rate, according to Grant Buntrock, executive vice president of the CCC.
The 3 5/8 percent is up from December's 3 1/2 percent and reflects the interest rate charged CCC by the U.S. Treasury.
Any outstanding 1981 crop commodity loans approved and disbursed on or after April 1, 1981 and before January 1, 1994 will accrue interest at a rate of 3 5/8 during 1994. This interest rate is subject to adjustment each January 1.
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