7 C.F.R. §§ 948.28–948.32

Any producer whose potatoes have been adversely affected by acts beyond the control or reasonable expectation of a prudent grower and who, by reason of any regulation issued pursuant to this part, is or will be prevented from shipping or having shipped during the then current marketing season, or a specific portion thereof, as large a proportion of his potato crop as the average proportion shipped or to be shipped during comparable portions of the season by all producers in his immediate area of production, may apply to the committee for exemptions from such regulations for the purpose of obtaining equitable treatment under such regulations.

Rules and procedures for granting exemptions may be issued by the Secretary, upon recommendation of area committees. Such rules and procedures may provide for methods of determinations by area committees of average proportions of crops shipped or being shipped in respective areas or subdivisions thereof during any or all portions of a season, for processing applications for exemption, for issuing or denying certificates of exemption, for administrative compliance with certificates issued, for reports by handlers thereon, and for such other procedures as may be necessary to administration hereof.

An area committee may issue certificates of exemption to any qualified applicant who furnishes adequate evidence to such committee:

An area committee shall be permitted at any time to make a thorough investigation of any applicant's claim pertaining to exemptions.

If any applicant for exemption certificates is dissatisfied with the determination by an area committee with respect to his application, he may file an appeal with the committee. Any applicant filing an appeal shall furnish evidence satisfactory to the committee for a determination on the appeal.