FSA Proposes Rule To Amend The Conservation Reserve Program

In the July 16, 2015, Federal Register, USDA's Farm Service Agency ("FSA") proposed a rule amending the Conservation Reserve Program ("CRP") regulations to implement provisions of the Agricultural Act of 2014. The rule specifies eligibility requirements for enrollment of grassland in CRP and adds references to veteran farmers and ranchers to the provisions for Transition Incentives Program contracts, among other changes. The provisions in this rule for eligible land primarily apply to new CRP offers and contracts. For existing contracts, this rule provides additional voluntary options for permissive uses, early terminations, conservation and land improvements, and incentive payments for tree thinning. The rule also makes conforming changes to provisions applicable to multiple FSA and Commodity Credit Corporation programs, which include CRP, including acreage report requirements, compliance monitoring, and equitable relief provisions. The rule is effective July 16, 2015,