[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 162 (Monday, August 21, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 50666-50667]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-21217]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 1216

[Docket No. FV-00-1216PR]


Peanut Promotion, Research, and Information Order; Reopening of 
Comment Period on Amendment No. 1 to Add a Public Member to the 
National Peanut Board

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Reopening of comment period.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the comment period on the proposed 
rule to amend the Peanut Promotion, Research, and Information Order is 
reopened until September 20, 2000. The proposed rule would add a public 
member and alternate to the National Peanut Board (Board), add 
authority for producers in minor peanut-producing states to conduct 
nominations for Board members by mail ballot, make changes related to 
the addition of the public member, and eliminate obsolete language. The 
comment period is being reopened at the request of several peanut 
industry groups and representatives.

DATES: Comments must be received by September 20, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments, 
in triplicate, concerning the proposed rule to: Docket Clerk, Research 
and Promotion Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs (FV), Agricultural 
Marketing Service (AMS), USDA, Stop 0244, Washington, Room 2535-S, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-0244; via facsimile to 
(202) 205-2800; or via e-mail to [email protected]. All comments 
should reference the docket number and the date and page number of this 
issue of the Federal Register. All comments will be made available for 
public inspection at the above address during regular business hours or 
on the Internet at www.ams.usda.gov/fv/rpb.html. A copy of the proposed 
rule may be found at www.ams.usda.gov/fv/rpdocketlist.htm.
    Pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), you may also 
send comments regarding the accuracy of the burden estimate in the 
proposed rule, ways to minimize the burden, including through the use 
of automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology, or any other aspect of the collection of information in the 
proposed rule, to the above address. Comments concerning the 
information collection under the PRA should also be sent to the Desk 
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniel R. Williams II, Research and

[[Page 50667]]

Promotion Branch, FV, AMS, USDA, Room 2535-S, Stop 0244, Washington, DC 
20250-0244; telephone (888) 720-9917 (toll free); or facsimile (202) 
205-2800.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposed rule was issued on May 26, 2000, 
and published in the Federal Register [65 FR 35298, June 2, 2000]. The 
proposed rule invited comments on adding a public member to the 
National Peanut Board (Board), allowing producers in minor peanut-
producing states to conduct nominations by mail ballot, making changes 
related to the addition of the public member, and eliminating obsolete 
language. The Board is currently composed of 10 peanut producers and 
their alternates as required by the Peanut Promotion, Research, and 
Information (Order). The proposed rule specified that comments must be 
received by August 1, 2000.
    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) received requests from 
seven peanut producer organizations, and five Members of Congress to 
extend the comment period for 60 days. The organizations stated that 
the peanut industry is in the middle of the growing season and needs 
time to organize grower meetings in order to give their members the 
opportunity to discuss the positives and negatives of adding a public 
member to the Board. The congressional comments supported the 
organizations' request for an additional 60 days to submit comments. In 
addition, the Board submitted a comment on the proposed rule.
    USDA also is concerned about the peanut industry and other 
interested persons having adequate time to review the proposed rule. 
Taking into account the requests received for additional time to 
comment, it is USDA's view that reopening the comment period for 30 
days will allow peanut producers, producer organizations, and other 
interested persons adequate time to develop comments on the proposed 
rule and submit them. Further, the original comment period was for 60 
days. The additional 30 days provides the industry a total of 90 days 
to comment on the proposal.
    Accordingly, the period in which to file written comments is 
reopened until September 20, 2000.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 7401-7425.

    Dated: August 15, 2000.
Robert C. Keeney,
Deputy Administrator, Fruit and Vegetable Programs.
[FR Doc. 00-21217 Filed 8-18-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P