FEDERAL AGENCY:
FARM SERVICE AGENCY, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
AUTHORIZATION:
Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000, Public Law
106-224.
To assist seed producers adversely impacted by the
bankruptcy filing of AgriBioTech.
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:
Direct Loans.
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USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
Loan funds may be used for any purpose, except those specifically prohibited
as contributing to the conversion of wetlands, excessive erosion of Highly
Erodible (HEL) lands, or for use in lobbying.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant Eligibility: A loan applicant and anyone
who will execute the promissory note, including all members of an entity, must
meet the following eligibility criteria to obtain an Emergency Loan for Seed
Producers loan. An eligible applicant must not be delinquent on any Federal
debt; not have any outstanding recorded judgments obtained by the United
States in a Federal court; be a citizen of the United States or an alien
lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence; have the legal
capacity to incur the obligations of the loan; have an acceptable credit
history demonstrated by debt repayment; and has not provided the Agency with
false or misleading documents or statements in past or present dealings with
the Agency.
Beneficiary Eligibility: Applicants/borrowers are
the direct beneficiaries when they meet all eligibility criteria. Families,
individuals and entities who have filed a valid proof of claim for seed
produced under contract to AgriBiotech in 1999 are the beneficiaries.
Credentials/Documentation: To be eligible, an
applicant must have filed a valid proof of claim for seed produced under
contract to AgriBiotech in 1999, in the United States or a United States
territory. In the case of a lease arrangement, the producer and not owner is
eligible.
APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:
Pre-application Coordination: None. This program is
excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102 and E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure: FSA application form
provided by the Farm Service Agency must be presented, with supporting
information, to the FSA county office serving the applicant's county. FSA
personnel assist applicants in completing their application forms.
Award Procedure: FSA Farm Loan Officer, Farm Loan
Manager, District Directors, State Executive Directors, and the Administrator
or his designee are authorized to approve these loans, subject to certain
administrative requirements, after applicants are determined eligible.
Deadlines: Applications will be accepted for
Emergency Loan for Seed Producers assistance until such time as the funding is
exhausted. Applicants should consult the FSA county office serving their area
for funding availability.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Applications
must be approved or disapproved within 60 calendar days after the receipt of a
completed application by the County Office.
Appeals: Applicants for loans may appeal adverse
actions taken. The applicant is given an opportunity to appeal the decision to
the National Appeals Division.
Renewals: Rescheduling, reamortization,
consolidation and deferment: The term of the loan will be no more than 12
months from the original date of the note.
ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula and Matching Requirements: The maximum
amount of assistance will be limited to not more than 65% of the amount of the
applicant's valid claim in bankruptcy court, based on seed produced under
contract to AgriBioTech in 1999.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Will not
be more than 18 months from the date of the original promissory note.
Applicants should consult the FSA county office serving their area for
specific information.
POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports: Borrowers are required to account for all
security property.
Audits: All account reviews and servicing will be
in accordance with FSA's non-program loan requirements found in 7 CFR
1951.468.
Records: All requirements are in accordance with
the Agency's non-program loans.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
Account Identification: 12-1140-0-1-351.
Obligations: (Direct Loans) FY 01 $0; FY 02 est
$35,000,000; and FY 03 est $0.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance:
Program is new, there are no existing loans in this program.
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Based on review of eligible producers the Agency expects up to 2001 may apply
and receive program assistance.
REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
Administrative regulations will be published in the Federal Register at 7 CFR
774. Federal Register volume and page number will only be available when the
rule is published.
INFORMATION CONTACTS:
Regional or Local Office: Consult the appropriate
FSA State office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.
Headquarters Office: Department of Agriculture,
Farm Service Agency, Director, Loan Making Division, Ag Box 0522, Washington,
DC 20250. Telephone: (202) 720-1632.
Web Site Address: www.fsa.usda.gov.
RELATED PROGRAMS:
None.
EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
Not applicable.
CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:
Loan applicants will be required to provide a valid proof of claim in the
AgriBioTech bankruptcy to be eligible for FSA Emergency Loans for Seed
Producers assistance.