[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 81 (Wednesday, April 29, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19509-19510]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-9377]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-FV-09-0018; FV09-996-1 N]


Peanut Standards Board

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; 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, 2011, 
and June 30, 2012. Selected nominees sought by this action would fill 
two currently vacant industry representative positions for the 
remainder of terms of office ending June 30, 2011, and six producer and 
industry representatives who are currently serving for the term of 
office that ends June 30, 2009. The Board consists of 18 members 
representing producers and industry representatives.

DATES: Written nominations must be received on or before May 29, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Nominations should be sent to Dawana J. Clark, Marketing 
Order Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 
Unit 155, 4700 River Road, Riverdale, MD 20737: Telephone: (301) 734-
5247; 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

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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 fill two 
currently vacant industry representative positions for the remainder of 
terms of office ending June 30, 2011, one from the Southeast and one 
from the Virginia-Carolina peanut producing regions. Nominees sought by 
this action would also replace six additional positions, one producer 
and one industry member from each peanut producing region who served 
for the term of office that ends June 30, 2009. New members filling the 
two current vacancies would serve the remaining 3-year term of office 
ending June 30, 2011. New members filling the positions expiring on 
June 30, 2009, would serve for a 3-year term of office ending June 30, 
2012.
    Nominees should complete a Peanut Standards Board Background 
Information form and submit it to Mrs. Clark at the address provided in 
the ``Addresses'' section above. Copies of this form may be obtained at 
the Internet site: http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv (below the ``See Also'' 
section, select ``More'' then select ``Peanut Quality Standards'' and 
below ``News'' select Background Information Form), 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.

    Authority:  7 U.S.C. 7958.

    Dated: April 20, 2009.
Robert C. Keeney,
Acting Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. E9-9377 Filed 4-28-09; 8:45 am]
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