Reports and guidance documents; availability, etc.: Title II development project proposals— Programmatic monetization guidelines (2000 FY),

[Federal Register: May 24, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 99)]

[Notices]

[Page 27955]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr24my99-29]

Notices Federal Register

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency statements of organization and functions are examples of documents appearing in this section.

[[Page 27955]]

AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Title II Programmatic Monetization Guidelines for Fiscal Year 2000

Pursuant to the Agricultural trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954, as amended (Pub. L. 480), notice is hereby given that the following guidelines are available to interested parties for the required thirty (30) day comment period.

Programmatic Guideline Being Applied by the Bureau for Humanitarian Response, Office of Food for peace (BHR/FFP) in Review of Fiscal Year (FY) 2000 Public Law (Pub. L.) 480 Title II Commodity Monetization Activities:

Background: The following programmatic principles concerning the monetization of agricultural commodities being made available to eligible organizations under the PL 480 Title II Program were enunciated by the Deputy Assistant Administrator of USAID's Bureau of Humanitarian Response (BHR) Leonard Rogers to the Food Aid Consultative Group (FACG) at its Semi-Annual Consultation in Washington, DC on March 25, 1999. They reflect discussions by USAID/BHR, USDA, FACG members, Congressional staff and those of the U.S. food export and processing industries between December 1998 and March 1999. These guidelines will be used in a pilot program over approximately the next two years in conjunction with BHR/FFP's Modernization Field manual, Pub. L. 480 Title II Programs, and the Development Activity Proposal (DAP) and Previously Approved Activity (PAA) Guidelines released on October 16 and December 8, 1998 respectively, in review of cooperating sponsor monetization activities proposed in Title II-assisted development interventions:

1. In general, Title II Monetization activities will not be undertaken where they would disrupt commercial markets for U.S.-- produced agricultural commodities;

2. Proposals advocating the monetization of value-added (i.e. processed, fortified, bagged, or refined) Title II commodities and sales designed and executed in consultation with the U.S. food export and processing trade will receive priority;

3. BHR/FFP will give priority to monetization in the recipient country;

4. Priority will also be given to monetizations supporting or complementing the direct distribution of value-added Title II commodities and/or resulting in benefits directly linked to the reduction of hunger;

5. Development interventions entirely based on the monetization of Title II commodities will also continue to be considered by BHR/FFP so long as their benefits can be directly linked to reduction of food insecurity and where the U.S. food itself has a clear benefit to hungry people.

6. If there are compelling reasons that preclude in-country monetization, consideration will be given to monetization in an adjacent (i.e. a closely neighboring) country following consultations with U.S. commercial interests in all instances. Regional monetization beyond adjacent countries will be considered only on an exception basis and only after full consultations.

In an effort to determine whether these guidelines should be permanently used in allocating Pub. L. Title II resources for monetization activities by eligible organizations, they will be assessed by USAID/BHR/FFP together with the Food Aid Consultative Group, Congressional oversight committees, the Department of Agriculture, representatives of the U.S. food export and processing trade, and others concerned.

Individuals who have questions or comments on these guidelines should contact David R. Nelson at (202) 712-1828, Office of Food for Peace, Agency for International Development, RRB 7.06-120, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC 20523-0809.

The thirty day comment period will begin on the date that this announcement is published in the Federal Register.

Dated: May 14, 1999. William T. Oliver, Director, Office of Food for Peace Bureau for Humanitarian Response.

[FR Doc. 99-12807Filed5-21-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6116-01-M