February 25, 2003

The newly established Commission on the Application of Payment Limitations for Agriculture is seeking written comments from the public as it studies the potential impacts of further payment limitations on agricultural producers and others. The commission was created by the new farm law to study the effects of limitations on the receipt of direct payments, counter-cyclical payments, loan deficiency payments and marketing loan gains by producers and other entities.

Also, the commission is authorized to make recommendations it deems appropriate which may include the feasibility of improving the application and effectiveness of payment limitations. During its initial meeting in January 2003, the Commission decided to obtain written comments from the public.

The Federal Register Notice detailing the key issues about which the commission wishes to gather public input can be accessed via the Farm Service Agency's homepage at http://www.fsa.usda.gov. Comments must be received in writing by March 24.

Comments are to be submitted to Payment Limit Commission Comments, USDA/FSA/EPAS, Stop 0508, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-0508 or email to payment.limit.comm@wdc.usda.gov. For further information contact, John Jinkins by phone at (202) 720-2100, by fax at (202) 690-2186 or by e-mail at John.Jinkins@usda.gov

The commission is to report the results of its study to the President, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry and the House Committee on Agriculture by May 13. USDA is providing administrative and other services needed to support the activities of the Commission.