[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 7, Volume 6]
[Revised as of January 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 7CFR400.90]

[Page 17-18]
 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
     CHAPTER IV--FEDERAL CROP INSURANCE CORPORATION, DEPARTMENT OF 
                               AGRICULTURE
 
PART 400--GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS--Table of Contents
 
                       Subpart J--Appeal Procedure
 
Sec. 400.90  Definitions.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1506(l), 1506(p)

    Source: 67 FR 13251, Mar. 22, 2002, unless otherwise noted.


    Act. The Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501-1524).
    Administrative review. A review within the Department of Agriculture 
of an adverse decision.
    Adverse decision. A decision by an employee or Director of the 
Agency that is adverse to the participant. The term includes the denial 
of program benefits, written agreements, eligibility,

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etc. that results in the participant receiving less funds than the 
participant believes should have been paid or not receiving a benefit to 
which the participant believes he or she was entitled.
    Agency. RMA or FCIC, including the RSO, FOSD or any other division 
within the Agency with decision making authority.
    Appellant. Any participant who appeals or requests mediation of an 
adverse decision of the Agency in accordance with this subpart. Unless 
otherwise specified in this subpart, the term ``appellant'' includes an 
authorized representative.
    Authorized representative. Any person, whether or not an attorney, 
who has obtained a Privacy Act waiver and is authorized in writing by a 
participant to act for the participant in the administrative review, 
mediation, or appeal process.
    Certified State. A State with a mediation program, approved by the 
Secretary, that meets the requirements of 7 CFR part 1946, subpart A, or 
a successor regulation.
    FCIC. The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, a wholly owned 
Government corporation within USDA.
    FOSD. The Fiscal Operations and Systems Division established by the 
Agency for the purpose of making determinations of indebtedness for 
policies insured by FCIC and for determining ineligibility for policies 
both insured and reinsured by FCIC.
    FSA. The Farm Service Agency, an agency within USDA, or its 
successor agency.
    Good farming practices. The farming practices used in the area where 
the crop is produced, including sustainable farming practices, that are 
determined by FCIC to be necessary for the crop to make normal progress 
toward maturity and produce at least the yield used to determine the 
production guarantee or amount of insurance and to be compatible with 
the agronomic and weather conditions in the area or, for crops grown 
under an organic practice, the farming practices recommended by a 
private organization or government agency that certifies organic 
products and is accredited in accordance with the requirements of the 
Federal Organic Food Production Act of 1990.
    Mediation. A process in which a trained, impartial, neutral third 
party (the mediator), meets with the disputing parties, facilitates 
discussions, and works with the parties to mutually resolve their 
disputes, narrow areas of disagreement, and improve communication.
    NAD. The USDA National Appeals Division. See 7 CFR part 11.
    Non-certified State. A State that is not approved by the Secretary 
of Agriculture to participate in the USDA Mediation Program under 7 CFR 
part 1946, subpart A, or its successor regulation.
    Participant. An individual or entity that has applied for crop 
insurance or who holds a valid crop insurance policy that was in effect 
for the previous crop year and continues to be in effect for the current 
crop year. The term does not include individuals or entities whose 
claims arise under the programs excluded in the definition of 
participant published at 7 CFR 11.1.
    Reinsured company. A private insurance company, including its 
agents, that has been approved and reinsured by FCIC to provide 
insurance to participants.
    Reviewing authority. A person assigned the responsibility by the 
Agency of making a decision on a request for administrative review by 
the participant in accordance with this subpart.
    RMA. The Risk Management Agency, an agency within USDA, or its 
successor agency.
    RSO. The Regional Service Office established by the Agency for the 
purpose of providing program and underwriting services for private 
insurance companies reinsured by FCIC under the Act and for FCIC 
insurance contracts delivered through FSA offices.
    Secretary. The Secretary of Agriculture.
    USDA. United States Department of Agriculture.