Trade Adjustment Assistance for Farmers

This interim rule immediately implements the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for Farmers program as reauthorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) and provides for the opening of a 30-day comment period. The ARRA modified the TAA for Farmers program as established by Subtitle C of Title I of the Trade Act of 2002, which amended the Trade Act of 1974. The rule establishes the procedures by which producers of raw agricultural commodities can petition for certification, apply for technical assistance, and receive cash benefits for the development and implementation of approved business adjustment plans. The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) is issuing this interim rule and providing for the opening of an interim rule comment period to ensure that an adequate opportunity to comment is provided all interested parties. After closure of the interim rule comment period and after consideration is provided to all comments received during the interim rule comment period, this rule will be adopted as final with or without change by publication in the Federal Register.