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5 

 the expected production for the year compared to the actual production of the crop for the 



year. This approach is consistent with our policy that the expected production for damaged 



trees is less than the expected production prior to a disaster. 



Beginning with the implementation of the 1988 disaster program, CCC determined that if 

 trees were destroyed, the loss of production would be eligible for crop-loss assistance only in 

 the year the trees were killed. We do not believe a basis exists for making crop-loss benefits 

 available for losses from trees that are not capable of production. 



Having said that, let me point out that many producers in Florida and Hawaii had harvested 

 their 1992 crops before the hurricanes struck, so no 1992 loss occurred. However, the trees 

 were budding or blooming for 1993 production. Because the expected production for 1993 

 was destroyed, we consider this to be an eligible 1993 loss, and we will make crop-loss 

 payments under the terms of Public Law 103-50 for 1993. The expected production for 1994 

 and 1995 is zero. Therefore, there are no disaster benefits for those years. 



In years prior to 1992, trees have been destroyed by freezes in California, Florida, and 

 Texas, by Hurricane Hugo in South Carolina, and by other natural disasters. The December 

 1990 freeze in California destroyed 70 percent of the citrus trees that were 5 years old or 

 younger. Nevertheless, this policy has remained unchanged since 1988. 



