[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 149 (Friday, August 2, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 50409]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-19507]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 67 , No. 149 / Friday, August 2, 2002 / 
Notices  

[[Page 50409]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. FV02-996-2-Notice]


Peanut Standards Board

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Request for nominations.

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SUMMARY: The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Farm Bill) 
requires that the Secretary of Agriculture establish a Peanut Standards 
Board for the purpose of advising the Secretary regarding the 
establishment of quality and handling standards for domestically 
produced and imported peanuts. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) 
seeks nominations of individuals to be considered for selection as 
Board members. The Board consists of 18 members representing producers 
and industry representatives who would serve staggered three-year terms 
of office.

DATES: Written nominations must be received on or before September 3, 
2002.

ADDRESSES: Nominations should be sent to Mr. Ronald L. Cioffi, Chief, 
Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, 
AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 0237, Washington, DC 
20250-0237; Phone: (202) 720-2491; Fax: 202-720-8938.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 1308 of the Farm Bill (Public Law 
107-171) requires that the Secretary of Agriculture establish a Peanut 
Standards Board (Board) for the purpose of advising the Secretary 
regarding the establishment of quality and handling standards for 
domestically produced and imported peanuts. The Farm Bill requires the 
Secretary to consult with the Board in advance whenever the Secretary 
considers establishing or changing quality and handling standards for 
peanuts.
    The Farm Bill provides that the Board consist of 18 members, with 
three producers and three industry representatives from the States 
specified in each of the following producing regions: (a) Southeast 
(Alabama, Georgia, and Florida); (b) Southwest (Texas, Oklahoma, and 
New Mexico); and (c) Virginia/Carolina (Virginia and North Carolina.) 
The Farm Bill also provides that during the transition period, the 
Secretary may designate persons serving as members of the Peanut 
Administrative Committee (Committee) to serve as members of the Board 
for the purpose of carrying out the duties of the Board. Members of the 
Committee have been designated to serve as interim members of the 
Board. The transition period is the period beginning with the date of 
enactment of the Farm Bill (May 13, 2002) and ending with the earlier 
of the date the Secretary appoints the members of the Board or 180 days 
after enactment of the Farm Bill.
    For the initial appointments, the Farm Bill requires that the 
Secretary shall stagger the terms of the members so that: (a) One 
producer member and peanut industry member from each peanut producing 
region services a one-year term; (b) one producer member and peanut 
industry member from each peanut producing region serves a two-year 
term; and (c) one producer member and peanut industry member from each 
peanut producing region serves a three-year term. The appointees will 
serve staggered terms of office ending June 30, 2003, June 30, 2004, 
and June 30, 2005, respectively. For the purposes of this request for 
nominations, the term ``peanut industry representatives'' includes 
representatives of the manufacturers, sellers, buying points, marketing 
associations, marketing cooperatives, and other like entities. The Farm 
Bill exempts the Board from the requirements of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act.
    USDA invites those individuals, organizations, and group affiliated 
with the categories listed above to nominate individuals for membership 
on the Board for both producer and industry members. Nomination 
documents should include: the nominee's name, address and phone number; 
the nominee's qualifications for membership to the Board (e.g., number 
of years in industry, current position, membership and offices held in 
industry organizations); and a statement signed by the nominee 
indicating his/her willingness to serve on the Board. Also, nominees 
should complete a qualification form which may be obtained from: Jim 
Wendland or Kenneth G. Johnson, DC Marketing Field Office, Marketing 
Order Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 
4700 River Road, suite 2A04, Unit 155, Riverdale, Maryland 20737; 
telephone (301) 734-5243, Fax: (301) 734-5275.
    Equal opportunity practices will be followed in all appointments to 
the Board in accordance with USDA policies. To ensure that the Board 
takes into the needs of the diverse groups within the peanut industry, 
membership shall include, to the extent practicable, individuals with 
demonstrated ability to represent minorities, women, persons with 
disabilities, and limited resource agriculture producers.

    Authority: Section 1308 of Public Law 107-171.

    Dated: July 29, 2002.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 02-19507 Filed 8-1-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-M