[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 36 (Tuesday, February 24, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 8376]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-3955]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. FV04-996-1]


Peanut Standards Board

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for nominations.

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SUMMARY: The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 requires 
the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a Peanut Standards Board 
(Board) for the purpose of advising the Secretary on quality and 
handling standards for domestically produced and imported peanuts. The 
initial Board was appointed by the Secretary and announced on December 
5, 2002. USDA seeks nominations for individuals to be considered for 
selection as Board members for terms of office ending June 30, 2007. 
Selected nominees sought by this action would replace those six 
producer and industry representatives who are currently serving for the 
initial term of office that ends June 30, 2004. The Board consists of 
18 members representing producers and industry representatives.

DATES: Written nominations must be received on or before April 30, 
2004.

ADDRESSES: Nominations should be sent to Dawana J. Clark, Marketing 
Order Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 
Suite 2A04, Unit 155, 4700 River Road, Riverdale, MD 20737: Telephone: 
(301) 734-5243; Fax: (301) 734-5275; E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 1308 of the Farm Security and Rural 
Investment Act of 2002 (Farm Bill) requires the Secretary of 
Agriculture to establish a Peanut Standards Board (Board) for the 
purpose of advising the Secretary regarding the establishment of 
quality and handling standards for all domestic and imported peanuts 
marketed in the United States. The Farm Bill requires the Secretary to 
consult with the Board before the Secretary establishes or changes 
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).
    For the initial appointments, the Farm Bill required the Secretary 
to stagger the terms of the members so that: (a) One producer member 
and peanut industry member from each peanut producing region serves 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 term ``peanut industry 
representatives'' includes, but is not limited to, representatives of 
shellers, manufacturers, buying points, marketing associations and 
marketing cooperatives. The Farm Bill exempted the appointment of the 
Board from the requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The 
initial Board was appointed by the Secretary and announced on December 
5, 2002.
    USDA invites those individuals, organizations, and groups 
affiliated with the categories listed above to nominate individuals for 
membership on the Board. Nominees sought by this action would replace 
one producer and one industry member from each peanut producing region 
who served for the initial term of office that ends June 30, 2004. New 
members would serve for a 3-year term of office ending June 30, 2007.
    Nominees should complete a Peanut Standards Board Background 
Information form and submit it to Mrs. Clark. Copies of this form may 
be obtained at the Internet site: http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/peanut-farmbill.htm, or from Mrs. Clark. USDA seeks a diverse group of members 
representing the peanut industry.
    Equal opportunity practices will be followed in all appointments to 
the Board in accordance with USDA policies. To ensure that the 
recommendations of the Board have taken into account the needs of the 
diverse groups within the peanut industry, membership shall include, to 
the extent practicable, individuals with demonstrated abilities to 
represent minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and limited 
resource agriculture producers.

    Dated: February 18, 2004.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 04-3955 Filed 2-23-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P