[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 16, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14079-14080]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-05867]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-SC-15-0080; SC16-996-2]


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 (2002 Farm 
Bill) 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

[[Page 14080]]

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 a term 
of office ending June 30, 2019. Selected nominees would replace three 
producer and three industry representatives who currently serve on the 
Board and have terms of office that end on June 30, 2016. The Board 
consists of 18 members representing producers and the industry. In an 
effort to obtain diversity among candidates, USDA encourages the 
nomination of men and women of all racial and ethnic groups and persons 
with a disability.

DATES: Written nominations must be received on or before May 2, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Nominations should be sent to Steven W. Kauffman of the 
Southeast Marketing Field Office, Marketing Order and Agreement 
Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1124 1st Street South, 
Winter Haven, FL 33880; Telephone: (863) 837-3375; Fax: (863) 291-8614; 
Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 1308 of the 2002 Farm Bill requires 
the Secretary of Agriculture to establish and consult with the 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 2002 Farm Bill provides that the Board's makeup will include 
three producers and three peanut industry representatives from States 
specified in each of the following producing regions: Southeast 
(Alabama, Georgia, and Florida); Southwest (Texas, Oklahoma, and New 
Mexico); and Virginia/Carolina (Virginia and North Carolina).
    The term ``peanut industry representatives'' includes, but is not 
limited to, representatives of shellers, manufacturers, buying points, 
marketing associations and marketing cooperatives. The 2002 Farm Bill 
exempted the appointment of the Board from the requirements of the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act.
    USDA invites 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 positions in 
the Southeast region, two positions in the Southwest region, and two 
positions in the Virginia/Carolina region.
    Nominees should complete a Peanut Standards Board Background 
Information form and submit it to Steven Kauffman 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/about-ams/facas-advisory-councils/peanut-board, or from the Southeast Marketing Field 
Office. 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: March 10, 2016.
Elanor Starmer,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-05867 Filed 3-15-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-02-P