NEWS

Farm Service Agency

Public Affairs Staff

1400 Independence Ave SW

Stop 0506, Room 3624-South

Washington, D.C. 20250-0506

WASHINGTON, Jan. 17, 2003 - USDA's Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) will hold a public hearing Jan. 29, 2003, in the Jefferson Auditorium of the U.S. Department of Agriculture South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. The hearing will start at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST).

The purpose of the hearing is to receive public comments on providing a 2003-crop cane sugar marketing allocation to a new entrant processor and an allotment to a new entrant state. CCC will also hear comments on possible impacts this may have on existing cane processors and producers. In addition, CCC will receive comments on the evidence CCC should require from a new entrant to demonstrate eligibility for a marketing allocation.

WHO: USDA's Commodity Credit Corporation

WHAT: Hear public comments on new entrant's 2003-crop cane sugar marketing allotment

WHERE: Jefferson Auditorium of the U.S. Department of Agriculture South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250

WHEN: Jan. 29, 2003, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. EST

For more information, contact Barbara Fecso, Dairy and Sweeteners Analysis Group, Economic Policy and Analysis

Staff, Farm Service Agency, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, STOP 0516,

Washington, D.C. 20250-0516; Telephone: (202) 720-4146; Fax: (202) 690-1480; e-mail: barbara.fecso@usda.gov. If special accommodations are required, please contact Barbara Fecso, at the address specified above, by COB Jan. 28, 2003.

NOTE: Farm Service Agency (FSA) news releases and media advisories are available on the Web at FSA's home page: http://www.fsa.usda.gov.