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Decisionmaking Process for Farm Program Policies Needs To Be Improved

RCED-85-81 Published: Jun 04, 1985. Publicly Released: Jun 04, 1985.
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Highlights

GAO reviewed the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service's (ASCS) policy decision to defer the repayment of certain commodity advance deficiency payments.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Agriculture The Secretary of Agriculture should require the Administrator, ASCS, to issue administrative notices to ASCS handbooks to reinforce the need for staff compliance with existing procedures requiring that policy decisions be fully documented, analyzed, reviewed, and approved by affected organizational units within ASCS prior to implementation.
Closed – Not Implemented
In oral comments, USDA disagreed with the need for the recommended action.
Department of Agriculture The Secretary of Agriculture should require the Administrator, ASCS, to amend ASCS handbooks to specifically require that policy and program changes having potential legal constraints or impacts be fully reviewed and approved by the USDA Office of General Counsel prior to implementation.
Closed – Not Implemented
In oral comments, USDA disagreed with the need for the recommended action.
Department of Agriculture The Secretary of Agriculture should require the Administrator, ASCS, to issue an administrative notice to ASCS handbooks to reinforce the need for staff compliance with existing procedures requiring that Office of General Counsel memorandums on the legal aspects of a policy or program accompany Commodity Credit Corporation dockets and board memorandums.
Closed – Not Implemented
In oral comments, USDA disagreed with the need for the recommended action.

Full Report

Full Report (24 pages)

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Topics

Agriculture and Food
Advance paymentsCommodity marketingDebt collectionDeficiency appropriationsInterest ratesPolicy evaluationGrain and grain productsAgricultural commoditiesCommoditiesAgricultural programs