Content provided by the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 10.155 Market News
FEDERAL AGENCY:
AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF
AGRICULTURE
AUTHORIZATION:
Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as
amended, 7 U.S.C. 601, 602, 608a-e, 612, 614, 624, 671-674; Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act of 1987, Public Law 100-203, 7 U.S.C. 4501- 4513;
Agriculture and Food Act of 1981, 7 U.S.C. 2242a.
To assure ample supplies of agricultural products,
maintain adequate producer prices, and provide consumers with quality products
at reasonable prices. All funds collected are remitted to the Commodity Credit
Corporation to partially offset the costs of the dairy price support.
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:
Provision of Specialized Services. Place Cursor Here for Definition
Advisory Services and Counseling. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
The provisions of orders and agreements are designed specifically to meet the
marketing and economic problems of the commodity or area covered. For dairy
products, the orders establish orderly marketing conditions in the sale of
milk by dairy farmers to handlers, whereas fruit, vegetable, nut, and grass
seed, are established to regulate the quantity and quality of products sold in
commercial channels.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant Eligibility: Marketing orders are issued
by the Secretary of Agriculture only after a public hearing where milk, fruit
and vegetable producers, marketers, and consumers testify, and after farmers
vote approval through a referendum. Growers of certain fruits, vegetables, and
specialty crops (like nuts, raisins, olives, and hops). Dairy farmers are the
primary applicants.
Beneficiary Eligibility: The beneficiaries are
producers of milk, fruit and vegetable products.
Credentials/Documentation: Evidence (usually
hearings) required indicating that agreement or order will assist in the
orderly marketing of a commodity.
Pre-application Coordination: None. This program is
excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure: Made in the form of a
letter to the Secretary of Agriculture fully documenting the need for an
agreement or order.
Award Procedure: Decision to establish or not to
establish an agreement and order is made by the Secretary of Agriculture after
public hearings and referendums are conducted.
Deadlines: Not applicable.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Subject to
time required to hold public hearings, investigations and to conduct a
referendum. Approximately 1 year after start of public hearings.
Appeals: Not applicable.
Renewals: Not applicable.
ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula and Matching Requirements: Not applicable.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Duration
of agreement and order.
POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports: Quarterly and yearly financial and
statistical reports are to be made to the applicable AMS commodity division by
producers or handlers as provided for by each agreement and order.
Audits: Financial and program audits pertaining
to marketing agreements and order transactions are made periodically.
Records: Financial and statistical records
relating to the operation of the agreement and order are to be maintained for
3 years.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
Account Identification: 12-5209-0-2-605.
Obligations: (Salaries and expenses) FY 01
$12,241,000; FY 02 est $13,438,000; and FY 03 est $13,874,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance: Not
applicable.
(Marketing's conducted under agreements and orders) fiscal year 2001, $19.9
billion; fiscal year 2002, estimate $19.5 billion; and fiscal year 2003,
estimate $19.8 billion.
REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
AH-421, Compilation of Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act; PA947, Can a
Marketing Order Help?; PA-1095, Marketing Agreements and Orders for Fruits and
Vegetables; AMS-565, Sources of Milk for Federal Order Markets by State and
County; AMS-559, Questions and Answers on Federal Milk Marketing Orders;
MB-27, The Federal Milk Marketing Order Program; SB-625, Federal Milk Order
Market Statistics, Annual Summary; SB-624, Dairy Market Statistics, Annual
Summary; MB-63, Market News Service on Dairy Products; How to Buy Dairy
Products, HG-201; How to Buy Cheese, HG-193; How to Buy Butter, HG-148; Diary
Products Grading Services, MB-69; Judging and Scoring Milk and Cheese,
FB-2259.
INFORMATION CONTACTS:
Regional or Local Office: None.
Headquarters Office: Associate Administrator,
Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC
20250. Telephone: (202) 720-4276.
