2012-22427. Peanut Standards Board

AGENCY:

Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Notice; request for nominations.

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 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, 2015. Selected nominees would replace three producer and three industry representatives who currently serve on the Board and have terms of office that ended June 30, 2012. Also, one individual would fill a currently vacant industry position for a term of office ending June 30, 2014. The Board consists of 18 members representing producers and the industry. USDA values diversity. In an effort to obtain diversity among candidates, USDA encourages the nomination of men and women of all racial and ethnic groups.

DATES:

Written nominations must be received on or before October 12, 2012.

ADDRESSES:

Nominations should be sent to Jennie M. Varela, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 799 Overlook Drive, Suite A, Winter Haven, FL 33884: Telephone: [phone]; Fax: [phone]; Email: [e-mail].

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, and 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 three positions in the Virginia/North Carolina region, one of which is currently vacant.

Nominees should complete a Peanut Standards Board Background Information form and submit it to Miss Varela at the address provided in the ADDRESSES section above. Copies of this form may be obtained at the Internet site www.ams.usda.gov/​PeanutStandardsBoard,, or from Miss Varela. 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: September 6, 2012.

David R. Shipman,

Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.