§ 2279a. — Fair and equitable treatment of socially disadvantaged producers.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 7USC2279a]
TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
CHAPTER 55--DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Sec. 2279a. Fair and equitable treatment of socially
disadvantaged producers
(a) Fair crop acreage bases and farm program payment yields
If the Secretary of Agriculture determines that crop acreage bases
or farm program payment yields established for farms owned or operated
by socially disadvantaged producers are not established in accordance
with title V of the Agricultural Act of 1949 (7 U.S.C. 1461 et seq.),
the Secretary shall adjust the bases and yields to conform to the
requirements of such title and make available any appropriate commodity
program benefits.
(b) Fair application of Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act
If the Secretary of Agriculture determines that application of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1921 et seq.) with
respect to socially disadvantaged producers is not consistent with the
requirements of such Act, the Secretary shall make such changes in the
administration of such Act as the Secretary considers necessary to
provide for the fair and equitable treatment of socially disadvantaged
producers under such Act.
(c) Report on treatment of socially disadvantaged producers
(1) Report required
The Comptroller General of the United States shall prepare a
report to determine--
(A) whether socially disadvantaged producers are
underrepresented on State, county, area, or local committees
established under section 590h(b)(5) of title 16 or local review
committees established under section 1363 of this title because
of racial, ethnic, or gender prejudice; and
(B) if such underrepresentation exists, whether it inhibits
or interferes with the participation of socially disadvantaged
producers in programs of the Department of Agriculture.
(2) Submission of report
Not later than February 1, 1995, the Comptroller General shall
submit the report required by this subsection to the Committee on
Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate.
(d) ``Socially disadvantaged producer'' defined
For purposes of this section, the term ``socially disadvantaged
producer'' means a producer who is a member of a group whose members
have been subjected to racial, ethnic, or gender prejudice because of
their identity as members of a group without regard to their individual
qualities.
(Pub. L. 103-354, title III, Sec. 305, Oct. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 3240.)
References in Text
The Agricultural Act of 1949, referred to in subsec. (a), is act
Oct. 31, 1949, ch. 792, 63 Stat. 1051, as amended. Title V of the Act,
which was classified generally to subchapter IV (Sec. 1461 et seq.) of
chapter 35A of this title, was omitted from the Code. For complete
classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out
under section 1421 of this title and Tables.
The Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, referred to in
subsec. (b), is title III of Pub. L. 87-128, Aug. 8, 1961, 75 Stat. 307,
as amended, which is classified principally to chapter 50 (Sec. 1921 et
seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the
Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1921 of this title and
Tables.
