[Federal Register: April 17, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 74)]
[Notices]
[Page 18944]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17ap03-28]
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Notices
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
appearing in this section.
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[[Page 18944]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket No. FV03-996-1-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 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 of individuals to be considered for
selection as Board members for terms of office ending June 30, 2006.
Nominees sought by this action would replace those producer and
industry representatives who are serving for the initial one-year term
of office that ends June 30, 2003. The Board consists of 18 members
representing producers and industry representatives.
DATES: Written nominations must be received on or before May 19, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Nominations should be sent to Kenneth G. Johnson, 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: Kenneth Johnson@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 1308 of the Farm Security and Rural
Investment Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-171) (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 and other like entities. 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 one-year term of office that ends June 30,
2003. New members would serve for a 3-year term of office ending June
30, 2006.
Nominees should complete a Peanut Standards Board Background
Information form and submit it to Mr. Johnson. Copies of this form may
be obtained at the internet site: http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/peanut-farmbill.htm
, or from Mr. Johnson. 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 ability to
represent minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and limited
resource agriculture producers.
Authority: Section 1308 of Public Law 107-171.
Dated: April 10, 2003.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agriculture Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 03-9408 Filed 4-16-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P