---
kind: "section"
citation: "7 U.S.C. § 2008a"
title: "7"
title_heading: "Agriculture"
number: "2008a"
heading: "Equitable relief"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/7/2008a"
units:
  - "Chapter 50 — Agricultural Credit"
  - "Subchapter IV — Administrative Provisions"
---

# §2008a. Equitable relief

- (a) **In general—** Subject to [subsection (b)](#b), the [Secretary](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-2) may provide a form of relief described in [subsection (c)](#c) to any [farmer](/usc/7/1991.md?p=a-1) or rancher who—
  - (1) received a direct farm ownership, operating, or emergency loan under this chapter; and
  - (2) the [Secretary](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-2) determines is not in compliance with the requirements of this chapter with respect to the loan.
- (b) **Limitation—** The [Secretary](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-2) may only provide relief to a [farmer](/usc/7/1991.md?p=a-1) or rancher under [subsection (a)](#a) if the [Secretary](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-2) determines that the [farmer](/usc/7/1991.md?p=a-1) or rancher—
  - (1) acted in good faith; and
  - (2) relied on an action of, or the advice of, the [Secretary](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-2) (including any authorized representative of the [Secretary](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-2)) to the detriment of the [farming](/usc/7/1991.md?p=a-2) or ranching operation of the [farmer](/usc/7/1991.md?p=a-1) or rancher.
- (c) **Forms of relief—** The [Secretary](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-2) may provide to a [farmer](/usc/7/1991.md?p=a-1) or rancher under [subsection (a)](#a) any of the following forms of relief:
  - (1) The [farmer](/usc/7/1991.md?p=a-1) or rancher may retain loans or other benefits received in association with the loan with respect to which the [farmer](/usc/7/1991.md?p=a-1) or rancher was determined to be noncompliant under [subsection (a)(2)](#a-2).
  - (2) The [farmer](/usc/7/1991.md?p=a-1) or rancher may receive such other equitable relief as the [Secretary](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-2) determines to be appropriate.
- (d) **Condition—** As a condition of receiving relief under this section, the [Secretary](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-2) may require the [farmer](/usc/7/1991.md?p=a-1) or rancher to take actions designed to remedy the noncompliance.
- (e) **Administrative appeal; judicial review—** A determination or action of the [Secretary](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-2) under this section—
  - (1) shall be final; and
  - (2) shall not be subject to administrative appeal or judicial review under chapter 7 of title 5.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 87–128, title III, § 366, as added Pub. L. 115–334, title V, § 5305, Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4672.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

This chapter, referred to in subsec. (a), was in the original “this title”, meaning title III of Pub. L. 87–128, Aug. 8, 1961, 75 Stat. 307, known as the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of title III to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1921 of this title and Tables.

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 2008a, Pub. L. 87–128, title III, § 366, as added Pub. L. 101–624, title XXIII, § 2316(a), Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4004; amended Pub. L. 102–237, title VII, § 701(f), Dec. 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 1879, related to State rural economic development review panel, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 104–127, title VII, § 754, Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1131.